Nasi Lemak (椰漿飯) is Malaysia’s ultimate breakfast (and lunch!) staple. Fragrant coconut milk rice served with spicy sambal, crispy anchovies, and crunchy peanuts, all beautifully wrapped in banana leaves. It’s a dish you can find in almost every Malay and Mamak eatery, and one that locals never get tired of! When we ran our restaurant, …
Say goodbye to soggy, bland Chinese lemon chicken. After several rounds of testing, I’ve settled on this recipe that delivers chicken that stays unbelievably crispy under a glossy, vibrant lemon sauce, with a flavor that truly lingers. The most common problem with this Chinese lemon chicken is that the chicken turns soft too quickly once …
If you’re stuck in a rut with the same old beef recipes, let me introduce you to 小炒黄牛肉 / Spicy Hunan Beef (Xiǎo Chǎo Huáng Niú Ròu), a beloved stir-fry straight from the heart of Hunan, China While I still enjoy a good stew or juicy burger, this vibrant and fiery world of Chinese cuisine …
Beef Stir-Fry with Bok Choy with tender beef, crisp bok choy, and a glossy, savory sauce is everything you want in a weeknight dinner. Imagine the sizzle of the wok, the aroma of garlic and ginger filling your kitchen, and a dish that comes together in under 30 minutes yet feels like a restaurant treat. …
Mapo Tofu (麻婆豆腐) is one of the most iconic dishes of Sichuan cuisine, celebrated for its fiery heat, bold flavors, and that unmistakable numbing sensation from Sichuan peppercorns. I first shared a version of this recipe a few years ago, but since then, I’ve refined it with two simple techniques: adding fermented black beans and …
Zha Jiang Mian is one of the easiest noodle dishes you can make. People often describe it as the Chinese version of Bolognese, and I think that comparison is pretty accurate. It’s the kind of dish you can cook in advance, keep in the fridge, and pull out whenever you need a quick and comforting …
Mooncake is an indispensable traditional Chinese pastry enjoyed during the Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. I’d like to take this opportunity to share with you the mooncake recipe I’ve just made. Over time, the style and purpose of this festive dessert have evolved …
If you are in the mood for something quick and flavorful, this Chinese-style beef and mushrooms stir-fry is downright delicious. With just a handful of simple ingredients, you can prepare a dish that tastes every bit as good as what you’d find in the Chinese restaurants, maybe even better. The tender beef paired with the …
The traditional Sichuan Yu Xiang Eggplant (鱼香茄子) served in restaurants is deep-fried first and then tossed with Yu Xiang sauce and minced pork. Recently, I developed a version that’s healthier, lighter on oil, and more suitable for everyday meals. This one is made by steaming the eggplant and replacing the pork with mushrooms and tofu. …
Sometimes the best meals don’t need a long list of ingredients. Shanghai-style scallion oil noodles (蔥油拌麵) prove that perfectly. I hadn’t eaten it in ages, but during my stay in New Zealand, I kept ordering it from a Shanghai noodle restaurant and fell for it all over again. This noodle dish brought a whole new …
Stuffed Bitter Melon is a classic dish in Chinese home cooking and one that holds a special place in my heart. Growing up, my mother would often make it, filling the melon rings with minced meat mixed with dried shiitake mushrooms for extra fragrance and depth. The slight bitterness of the melon balances beautifully with …