Friends, gather round. This is not your average takeout night. We are bringing the best of South China right into your kitchen for a dinner party that is going to rock your world.
It is time to step away from the boring standard dishes and treat your tastebuds to something real.
1. Salt and Pepper Shrimp
Shrimp scampi has some serious competition here! These fried shrimp are just as easy and maybe even tastier than their butter soaked cousins.
We are talking about lightly seasoning raw, shell on shrimp before frying them in hot oil.
Keeping the shell on during cooking guarantees that the meat is as tender and juicy as possible. Serve this as an appetizer or over rice for a main dish.
2. Sweet and Sour Chicken
We absolutely cannot talk about Cantonese foods without a recipe for sweet and sour chicken.
This simple recipe is perfect for first time Cantonese cooks and is as tasty as take out! The ingredient list looks a bit intimidating, but this recipe is easy to throw together.
For the best texture, toss the chicken thigh chunks in seasoning and cornstarch before frying. Serve with stir fried peppers, pineapple, and onion with sauce over the top.
3. Char Siu
Char siu is a Cantonese style BBQ pork recipe with a beautifully sweet, salty, and spicy balance.
There is no shortage of spices in this recipe, and each one is essential for delicious flavor.
You will marinate and then roast the pork butt until it is fork tender. Then, serve over steamed rice, in ramen, or with steamed veggies.
4. Cantonese Soy Sauce Chow Mein
A super versatile recipe at its core, chow mein is a terrific introduction to Cantonese cuisine.
Crunchy noodles and a simple sauce get the party started. From there, you will need some staple Asian ingredients to make the sauce.
Add sautéd veggies, and you are good to go, or top it with some protein to make it extra hearty.
5. Cantonese Instant Pot Braised Beef with Radish
If you only try one recipe on this list, make sure this is it!
This Cantonese twist on pot roast is tender, tasty, and downright irresistible.
With hearty chunks of beef and radishes in a savory sauce, it is filling, comforting, and so simple!
Use the sear function on your Instant Pot to bring the aromatics to life before adding the beef.
If you can’t find a beef rough flank, skirt steak is a great substitute.
6. Hong Kong Fried Rice
Fried rice is the kind of quick and easy recipe I make on busy weeknights or when the pantry is running low.
With a few simple ingredients, you will have restaurant style fried rice in no time!
You will need cold, day old steamed rice for this. If you use fresh, it will turn soggy, so I always have some in the fridge ready to go.
Add in egg, veggies, and any protein you have on hand. This recipe calls for shrimp, but you can use chicken, beef, or even tofu if you prefer.
7. Char Siu Bao
Bao is a signature dish in Cantonese restaurants across the world. In this case, char siu refers to the pork filling, while bao is the fluffy steamed bun.
This char siu recipe gives some serious sloppy joe vibes, thanks to the sweet and savory sauce. Stuff that into a steamed bun, and you have got a finger food friendly dinner!
8. Cantonese Shumai
Though you may not recognize the name, Shao Mai is a typical pork dumpling you have likely had before.
Stuffed with sticky rice and minced pork, they are flavorful, filling, and so easy to make!
The minced meat also has mushrooms, scallions, and ginger mixed in, making it super tasty and tender.
You will need a dumpling steamer for this recipe, which you can find at your local Asian market or order online.
9. Cantonese Steamed Fish
This simple dish is a classic Cantonese recipe that deserves a place at your dinner table.
It is straightforward to prepare and showcases the delicate flavors of Cantonese cooking beautifully.
The aromatics, which are ginger, scallions, and cilantro, are the key to making a delicious sauce.
You will need to lightly fry the fresh herbs before adding the soy sauce to ensure they are as flavorful and umami rich as possible.
Also, be sure to select a flaky white fish, such as tilapia, haddock, or cod filets.
10. Turnip Cake
Despite the name, this is neither a cake (read: sweet) nor does it have turnips in the mix.
Instead, these savory rice dumplings are made with daikon radishes, mushrooms, and a tasty sauce.
The savory “cake” is steamed in a cake pan before frying individual pieces. That gives each one an incredible crispy edge.
11. Homemade Cheung Fun
Cheung fun is like a combination of steamed dumplings and egg rolls.
They are made in rice noodle wrappers and steamed to create a yummy hot meal.
This recipe has several fillings to try, with suggestions for pork, shrimp, and veggies.
However you fill them, they are tender and tasty.
Serve as an appetizer or as a cheung FUN dinner!
12. Cantonese-Style Ginger Scallion Lobster
Talk about a show stopper! It doesn’t get better than fresh lobster cooked with scallions and ginger.
I know it sounds simple, but the flavors are anything but!
And if you are nervous about cooking live lobster, don’t be.
It is easier than you think so long as you have a big enough pot.
That said, you can always buy pre processed or frozen lobster to keep things simple.
13. Lo Mai Gai
Savory sticky rice dumplings are some of my favorite appetizers.
And while they are not like traditional dumplings that are encased in some kind of pastry, this recipe is beyond addictive.
This recipe has glutinous rice, chicken, sausage, and mushrooms in a savory sauce.
The well seasoned ingredients come together while steaming in bowls.
Because there are various steps to this recipe, it may seem like a lot to process, but you can steam in an Instant Pot for easier cooking.
14. Cantonese Chicken and Vegetable Stir Fry
Let’s be real here: stir fry anything is bound to be tender, tasty, and a hit for busy nights.
And this stir fry with veggies, chicken, and a simple sauce is all those things and more.
You will use cornstarch to thicken the sauce before serving.
And feel free to use a frozen blend of stir fry veggies to make prep a breeze.
Just remember that frozen veggies have extra moisture, so you may need to use extra cornstarch to balance the liquid.
15. Steamed Chicken with Mushrooms and Dried Lily Flowers
If this delicious dish doesn’t wow you, I am not sure what will! It is earthy, unique, and as tasty as it sounds.
The chicken is ultra tender from marinade and cooking in steam. Meanwhile, the mushrooms and dried lilies ensure it is earthy and succulent.
This recipe is lovely served over steamed rice with the sauce drizzled over the top.
16. Cantonese Chicken Egg Roll
Egg rolls are a Chinese take out must have. And while they are more popular in American restaurants than Cantonese, they are still super delicious.
This recipe includes bamboo shoots, shiitake mushrooms, and ground meat. Ironically, there isn’t any chicken in these chicken eggrolls.
Still, you won’t miss the chicken, and these are good enough to eat as a whole meal themselves!
17. Pork Rib Stew with Foo Jook and Chee Hou Sauce
Don’t get me wrong, I adore slow cooked, smoked pork ribs. But this oven style rib stew definitely gives my smoker some competition!
Bean thread and pork rib tips are slow cooked in an aromatic chee hou sauce.
It is much like a sweet BBQ sauce, only with an earthy undertone. Serve this easy rib stew with steamed rice and veggies.
No promise your fingers will be clean after this meal!
18. Cantonese-Style Steamed Tofu
When cooked right, tofu is a delectable protein for meatless meals.
And this steamed tofu recipe showcases Cantonese flavors in the best way possible, and without any meat!
You will notice that this recipe has nearly identical ingredients to Cantonese steamed fish.
You will prepare it the same, too, just minus the fish!
The flavorful aromatics enrich the tofu to bring the dish to life, and it is a wonderful vegan dinner your whole family will love.
19. Cantonese-Style Zongzi
Zongzi or rice dumplings are a traditional Cantonese recipe that takes many forms. This version is savory, sticky, and ideal for dinner.
You will roll peanuts, pork belly, and duck egg yolks into sticky sweet rice and steam it in a bamboo leaf.
Bamboo leaves may be difficult to find depending on where you live. Try online, or just steam the dumpling ingredients in a bowl instead.
20. Roasted Braised Duck
This Cantonese style braised duck is by far some of the best Chinese food you will ever have.
It takes a little bit more time to prepare, but it is worth the wait in the end.
You will begin the cooking process in a wok with oil, then switch to a roasting pan to finish cooking the duck.
The incredibly flavorful meat is infused with goodness from the spices and the sauce, making every bite better than the last.
