CHINESE COOKING TOOLS
CHINESE COOKING EQUIPMENT
CHINESE COOKING EQUIPMENT
CHINESE COOKING EQUIPMENT
CHINESE COOKING TOOLS
WOK
(wok)
A wok is one of the most versatile Chinese cooking tools with a deep, round-bottomed design and high, sloping sides, ideal for stir-frying, deep-frying, steaming, boiling, and poaching. This shape ensures quick, even cooking and easy tossing of ingredients. Typically made from carbon steel or cast iron, carbon steel woks are lightweight and heat quickly, while cast iron woks retain heat well and develop a non-stick surface after seasoning. A 14-inch wok is recommended for home use, offering ample space for large meals and fitting well on most home stoves, making it an essential addition to any kitchen.
| FEATURES | CARBON STEEL | NON-STICK | CAST IRON |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Heat Retention |
High |
Medium |
Excellent |
|
Heat Distribution |
Very High |
High |
High |
|
Durability |
High |
Medium |
Excellent |
|
Maintenance |
Seasoning |
Minimal |
Seasoning |
|
Starting Price |
$50 |
$35 |
$60 |
CHOPSTICKS
(faai zi)
Chopsticks are traditional Chinese cooking tools used for centuries for both eating and cooking. These slender, tapered sticks are usually made from wood, bamboo, metal, or plastic. Their simple design provides great versatility, allowing for precise handling of foods like noodles, rice, and dim sum. They excel at picking up small or slippery items that forks might struggle with, and they promote mindful eating with smaller, slower bites. Lightweight and easy to use, chopsticks are a staple in Asian households, offering a unique dining experience that enhances the appreciation of Asian cuisine. Their use highlights the elegance of traditional dining.
| FEATURES | WOODEN | BAMBOO | METAL |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Durability |
Medium |
Medium |
Excellent |
|
Heat Resistance |
Medium |
Medium |
Excellent |
|
Non-Reactive |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Maintenance |
Oiling |
Minimal |
Minimal |
|
Starting Price |
$6 |
$5 |
$8 |
WOK SPATULA
(wok chaan)
A wok spatula is also one of the traditional Chinese cooking tools designed specifically for use with a wok. This versatile utensil features a long handle and a broad, flat, slightly curved blade, typically made from stainless steel or wood. The blade’s shape conforms to the wok’s curvature, making it perfect for stir-frying, tossing, and turning ingredients with ease. The spatula’s long handle ensures safety from high heat, while its sturdy build handles various foods efficiently. For home use, a 14-16 inch handle pairs well with a 14-inch wok, providing optimal control and safety to enhance cooking efficiency.
WOK LADLE
(wok hok)
The wok ladle, a traditional Chinese cooking tools designed specifically for use with a wok. Its unique shape features a deep, rounded bowl with a long handle, typically crafted from stainless steel or wood. This design allows for easy scooping and stirring of ingredients in the curved confines of a wok. The long handle keeps the cook’s hand safely away from the heat, while the sturdy construction enables efficient handling of various dishes. For home cooking, a ladle with a 14-16 inch handle is perfect for standard-sized woks. This size guarantees control and safety, improving cooking efficiency in wok recipes.
WOK BRUSH
(wok sou)
The wok brush, a must-have in Chinese cooking, is tailor-made for keeping woks spick and span. Its design boasts a long handle and robust bristles, usually crafted from bamboo or similarly tough materials. With this tool, you can effortlessly scrub away food leftovers, ensuring your wok stays clean and ready for the next delicious meal. Plus, it helps maintain the wok’s seasoning, preventing flavors from lingering between dishes. Essential for preserving your wok’s quality, the wok brush is a vital addition to any set of Chinese cooking tools.
CLEAVER
(choi dou)
The Chinese cleaver, a staple in Chinese kitchens, is purpose-built for a variety of culinary tasks. It typically features a wide, rectangular blade with a sharp edge, allowing for slicing, chopping, and mincing of ingredients. As one of the most versatile Chinese cooking tools, the cleaver is often made from high-quality stainless steel or carbon steel, ensuring durability and sharpness. With its hefty weight and sturdy construction, the cleaver can handle tough cuts of meat and dense vegetables with ease. In Chinese cuisine, where precision is key, the cleaver is essential for both home cooks and professional chefs.
| FEATURES | VEGETABLES | MEAT | GENERAL |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Material |
Carbon Steel / SS |
Carbon Steel / SS |
Carbon Steel / SS |
|
Blade Shape |
Curved Edge, Pointed Tip |
Flat Edge, Blunt Tip |
Straight Edge, Rounded Tip |
|
Durability |
High |
Very High |
High |
|
Purpose |
Vegetables |
Meats |
General |
|
Starting Price |
$40 |
$50 |
$45 |
CHOPPING BLOCK
(zaam baan)
The chopping block is an essential tool in Chinese cuisine, specifically designed for cutting and chopping tasks. It typically features a thick, sturdy surface made from hardwoods like maple or bamboo, providing a durable and stable base for chopping, cutting, and slicing vegetables, meats, and other ingredients. This robust construction ensures it can withstand heavy use without dulling knives or damaging surfaces. As a crucial component of any Chinese cooking toolkit, the chopping block is indispensable for every home cook, offering the perfect balance between functionality and longevity.
STEAMER
(zing lung)
The steamer, a cornerstone of Chinese cuisine, is tailor-made for flawlessly steaming food. Its multi-tiered metal design with a snug lid can be placed directly over the heat source, ensuring even cooking. Beyond steaming, it doubles as a large soup pot, offering versatility in the kitchen. Additionally, it’s perfect for reheating leftovers: just add water to the bottom, arrange the desired tiers, and place heat-proof dishes of food on each tier. As an essential part of Chinese cooking equipment, the steamer shines in Chinese culinary tradition, where steaming is prized for preparing delicious and healthy meals with ease.
| FEATURES | S.STEEL | BAMBOO | ALUMINIUM |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Durability |
Excellent |
High |
Medium |
|
Heat Conductivity |
Excellent |
High |
Very High |
|
Flavor Retention |
Neutral |
Enhances |
Neutral |
|
Heat Source |
Direct |
Indirect |
Direct |
|
Starting Price |
$30 |
$20 |
$25 |
BAMBOO STEAMER
(zuk zing lung)
The bamboo steamer, which is used for steaming delicate dishes like dim sum, offers traditional charm and practicality. Bamboo’s porous nature prevents soggy food, retaining flavors and nutrients. Unlike metal steamers, bamboo ones can’t sit directly over a heat source; instead, you’ll need a large pan or wok to hold both the water and the steamer. Though these bamboo steamers are budget-friendly and add a subtle bamboo aroma to dishes, they may not last as long as their counterparts. Still, as a beloved item in Chinese cooking equipment, bamboo steamers are prized for their eco-friendliness.
ROLLING PIN
(cho min pong)
Chinese rolling pins stand out from regular ones by being straight, smooth wooden dowels that are shorter and thinner. This compact design allows for one-handed use, with the other hand managing the dough, providing enhanced control and maneuverability. Unlike larger, unwieldy rolling pins, this design ensures perfectly round dumpling wrappers with thinner edges. As a cherished tool in Chinese kitchens for generations, it exemplifies the precision and practicality of essential Chinese cooking tools, guaranteeing that each dumpling is crafted with care and consistency. Additionally, its design helps achieve an even thickness.
| FEATURES | DOWEL | FRENCH | HANDLED |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Shape |
Straight Cylinder |
Tapered Cylinder |
Straight Cylinder, Handles |
|
Material |
Wood / Bamboo / Marble |
Wood / Marble |
Wood / Marble |
|
Maneuverability |
Rolling Force |
Allows Control |
Good Leverage |
|
Uses |
General Doughs |
Precision, Thickness |
Various Doughs |
|
Starting Price |
$10 |
$20 |
$15 |
SPIDER STRAINER
(zi zyu lou siuk)
The spider strainer is designed for lifting and draining food from hot liquids. It features a long handle and a wide, shallow basket with a mesh bottom, often made from stainless steel or bamboo. This design allows for easy scooping and draining of ingredients like dumplings, noodles, and vegetables from boiling water or oil. Its lightweight yet sturdy construction ensures safe handling of hot foods. Valued worldwide for its versatility and reliability, the spider strainer is a staple among Chinese cooking tools, offering efficient and convenient performance in various culinary tasks. Its design also helps to reduce splashing and minimize burns.
SKIMMER
(láu soek)
The skimmer, a familiar sight in Chinese kitchens, features a circular wire design that allows for effortless lifting and straining of fried items from hot oil as well as for other use for draining out the liquid. Its round wire structure and long handle ensure efficient and safe handling of hot foods. In Chinese cuisine, where precision and speed are paramount, the skimmer is prized for its quick and effective lifting of fried items, ensuring they are cooked to perfection. As a durable piece of Chinese cooking tools, its stainless steel construction guarantees longevity and reliability even under rigorous use.
CLAY POT
(saa gwuo)
The clay pot, a hallmark of Chinese cuisine, is revered for its unique cooking properties. Crafted from porous clay, it retains and evenly distributes heat, imparting a distinct flavor and aroma to dishes. With its thick walls and rounded shape, it ensures gentle and uniform cooking, making it ideal for rice dishes, braising meats, and stewing vegetables. The clay pot’s natural insulation properties keep food warm for longer periods, enhancing flavors and textures. In Chinese cuisine, where slow cooking and rich flavors reign, this essential Chinese cooking equipment is treasured for creating aromatic dishes.
CASSEROLE
(bou zai)
The casserole, available in materials like ceramic, clay, or iron, is a versatile piece of Chinese cooking equipment. These sturdy vessels are prized for their ability to retain heat and impart unique flavors to dishes. With their thick walls and durable construction, casseroles ensure even cooking and gentle heat distribution, making them perfect for slow-cooking stews, braises, and casseroles. Ideal for soups and one-pot meals, these vessels add depth and richness to Chinese dishes, creating hearty and flavorful meals that are cherished. An essential in any kitchen, it enhances the art of traditional Chinese cooking.
| FEATURES | CLAY | STONE | CAST IRON |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Heat Conductivity |
Medium |
Medium |
High |
|
Heat Retention |
High |
High |
Excellent |
|
Durability |
Medium |
High |
Very High |
|
Maintenance |
Seasoning |
Minimal |
Seasoning |
|
Starting Price |
$30 |
$70 |
$50 |
HERBAL SOUP POT
(jeok bou)
A Chinese herbal soup pot is a medium-tall, narrow pot made of clay or ceramic, equipped with a lid. It is designed specifically for cooking Chinese herbal soups renowned for their medicinal properties. The pot’s unique shape helps to concentrate and enhance the herbal flavors, making it perfect for brewing tonics and health-focused soups that require extended simmering. Unlike traditional clay pots or casseroles, this specialized piece of Chinese cooking equipment is tailored to extract and emphasize herbal essences and flavors, distinguishing it as an essential tool in Chinese cuisine.
HOTPOT
(daa bin lou)
A hot pot, crafted from metal or ceramic and often featuring a divider for multiple broths, is a versatile piece of Chinese cooking equipment. It can be used with various heat sources, including butane, electric, or induction. To use a hot pot, place it in the center of the dining table and fill it with simmering broth. Diners then cook their ingredients in the broth, creating a fun, communal dining experience that is ideal for family and friends, especially during the winter months. This equipment not only offers a unique dining experience but also enhances the joy of cooking together, making each meal a memorable social event.
CHARCOAL STEAMBOAT
(muk taan fo wo)
A charcoal steamboat is both a piece of Chinese cooking equipment and a serving tool, used to cook food in a broth with charcoal as the heat source. Believed to have originated in the Qing Dynasty, it is commonly employed for cooking seafood. Typically made of metal or clay, the steamboat features a wide pot with a chimney and a compartment for burning charcoal. The charcoal imparts a smoky flavor to the dish, enhancing the dining experience and setting it apart from modern hot pots with its traditional, slower cooking style. This unique method also adds an element of theatricality to the meal, making it a memorable culinary event.
| FEATURES | CLAY | S.STEEL | COPPER |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Heat Conductivity |
Medium |
High |
Very High |
|
Heat Retention |
High |
Medium |
Excellent |
|
Durability |
Medium |
High |
Very High |
|
Maintenance |
Seasoning |
Minimal |
Polishing |
|
Starting Price |
$50 |
$80 |
$120 |
CHINESE PICKLE JAR
(paau choi taan)
A Chinese pickle jar is specifically designed for fermenting and pickling ingredients in Chinese cuisine. Typically made from glass or ceramic, it features a large, cylindrical shape with a wide mouth and an airlock lid. The distinctive water moat around the neck, filled with water, creates an airtight seal to prevent air from entering, which is crucial for preserving the pickled contents. Larger than standard jars, these traditional pickle jars are tailored for pickling a variety of preserved foods, preserving the authenticity. Their design not only enhances preservation but also ensures the flavors develop fully during fermentation.
MORTAR AND PESTLE
(yan bo cyu)
A mortar and pestle is typically crafted from stone or ceramic. This heavy-duty set is ideal for grinding and crushing spices, herbs, and garlic, releasing their full flavors and aromas. Its robust design and weight provide stability, making it perfect for creating pastes, sauces, and seasoning blends. The coarse surface of the mortar ensures efficient grinding, enhancing the depth of flavors in the cuisine. As an essential tool in Chinese cooking, this mortar and pestle remains integral for preparing authentic and flavorful meals, while also allowing cooks to achieve a texture and consistency that is difficult to replicate with modern appliances.
| FEATURES | STONE | WOOD | MARBLE |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Durability |
Excellent |
Medium |
Very High |
|
Surface Texture |
Rough |
Smooth |
Smooth |
|
Non-Reactivity |
Very High |
Medium |
Very High |
|
Maintenance |
Scrubbing |
Conditioning |
Minimal |
|
Starting Price |
$25 |
$15 |
$20 |
STONE MILL GRINDER
(sek mo)
A stone mill grinder, also known as a manual stone mill, is a traditional Chinese cooking tool used to grind beans, grains, and spices into fine powders or pastes. Comprising two flat stones, typically made of stone or granite, the upper stone is manually rotated to grind the ingredients. This method gives a special taste and texture, creating smooth and flavorful pastes that are often richer than those made with modern mixers. While not essential in contemporary kitchens, it remains a cherished choice for those who appreciate the authenticity and nuanced flavors of traditional Chinese cooking tools, offering a connection to culinary heritage.
When it comes to preparing authentic Chinese cuisine, the right Chinese cooking tools can make all the difference between an ordinary meal and a culinary masterpiece. Whether you’re just beginning your journey into Chinese cooking or you’re a seasoned chef, selecting high-quality Chinese cooking tools and equipment is crucial. The right tools not only make cooking more efficient but also help you achieve the authentic flavors and textures that define Chinese dishes. The following recommendations have been carefully curated for their outstanding reputation, diverse offerings, and commitment to delivering genuine, durable products. These trusted online retailers provide everything you need to elevate your cooking and create delicious, authentic Chinese meals in your own kitchen. With their easy-to-navigate websites and excellent customer service, you’ll find the perfect tools to enhance your cooking experience and enjoy the true taste of Chinese cuisine.