Chinese Food Ideas – Chinese food is very famous all over the world because it is delicious and also very colorful in appearance. Dishes like noodles, fried rice, Manchurian, and spring rolls are liked by everyone, children and adults. Its taste is sometimes spicy and sometimes mildly sweet, which makes every bite taste delicious. The best part is that it is easy to make, and you can try different Chinese dishes at home as well. Chinese food is very popular all over the world. Here are some easy and delicious Chinese food ideas you can make at home and make everyone happy!”
The best part is that it is easy to make, and you can try different Chinese dishes at home as well. Chinese food is very popular all over the world. Here are some easy and delicious Chinese food ideas you can make at home and make everyone happy!”
Chinese Food Ideas
Here are 55+ Chinese Food Ideas, including traditional, popular, and modern dishes — ideal for all types of meals from appetizers to desserts.
Appetizers & Street Food
- Spring Rolls
- Vegetable Dumplings
- Scallion Pancakes
- Wonton Soup
- Chinese Cold Sesame Noodles
- Steamed Bao Buns
- Sticky Rice in Lotus Leaf
- Tofu Skewers
- Salt and Pepper Tofu
- Crispy Seaweed Snacks
Rice Dishes
- Vegetable Fried Rice
- Egg Fried Rice (omit egg for vegan)
- Yangzhou Fried Rice
- Pineapple Fried Rice
- Claypot Rice
- Sticky Rice with Mushrooms
- Garlic Bok Choy Rice Bowl
- Mapo Tofu over Rice (vegan or meat options)
- Ginger Fried Rice
- Chinese Tomato & Egg Rice (vegan with tofu)
Noodle Dishes
- Chow Mein
- Lo Mein
- Dan Dan Noodles (can be organized)
- Shanghai Scallion Oil Noodles
- Sichuan Spicy Noodles
- Peanut Sesame Noodles
- Cold Soba Noodles with Cucumber
- Soy Sauce Noodles
- Hoisin Garlic Udon
- Chinese Glass Noodles Stir-Fry
Main Dishes
- Sweet and Sour Tofu
- Kung Pao Tofu or Chicken
- General Tso’s Tofu
- Orange Glazed Cauliflower
- Broccoli with Garlic Sauce
- Chinese Eggplant in Garlic Sauce
- Mushroom Stir-Fry
- Chinese Braised Tofu
- Sweet Chili Crispy Tofu
- Chinese-Style Hot Pot
Vegetable-Based Sides & Stir-Fries
- Garlic Snow Peas
- Stir-fried baby Bok Choy
- Spicy Chinese Cabbage
- Stir-Fried Water Spinach (Ong Choy)
- Sesame Green Beans
- Braised Mushrooms with Tofu
- Five-Spice Roasted Vegetables
- Chinese Pickled Cucumber Salad
- Napa Cabbage Stir-Fry
- Stir-Fried Lotus Root
Soups
- Hot and Sour Soup
- Chinese Corn Soup (veganized with creamed corn and tofu)
- Miso Soup with Seaweed & Tofu
- Chinese Tomato Noodle Soup
- Vegetarian Wonton Soup
- Clear Mushroom Broth
- Egg Drop Soup (vegan version with cornstarch slurry)
- Chinese Cabbage Soup
Desserts & Sweets
- Sesame Balls (Jian Dui)
- Mango Sticky Rice
- Almond Jelly with Lychee
- Red Bean Buns
- Sweet Taro Balls
- Fried Banana Rolls with Syrup
- Coconut Tapioca Pudding
Would you like any of these recipes written out or turned into a printable cookbook or meal plan?
Recipes
1. Vegetable Fried Rice Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked rice (cold)
- 1 cup mixed veggies (peas, carrots, corn)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
Instructions:
- In a frying pan, heat the sesame oil. Once it is fairly hot, add the garlic and sauté briefly.
- Put in the mixed vegetables and stir-fry until they are soft.
- Add the rice and soy sauce, and toss until just heated.
- Reserve a few of the green onions, slice the rest lengthways, and serve.
2. Vegetable Dumplings Recipe
Ingredients:
- Dumpling wrappers
- 1 cup finely chopped cabbage
- 1/2 cup grated carrot
- 1/2 cup chopped mushrooms
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp ginger, minced
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients for the filling.
- Place 1 tablespoon filling in the center of each wrapper. Fold the dough over the filling and seal with water.
- Steam for 10 minutes, or pan-fry until crispy and golden brown on both sides.
3. Sweet and Sour Tofu Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 block of tofu, cubed and pan-fried
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup pineapple chunks
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sugar
Instructions:
- Mix the sauce material.
- Stir-fry cut-up onion and bell pepper. Add tofu and chunks of pineapple.
- Mix in the sauce and cook until thickened.
4. Hot and Sour Soup Recipe
Ingredients:
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1/2 cup tofu, cubed
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water
- Pinch of white pepper
Instructions:
- The broth was boiled, to which mushrooms and tofu were added.
- Then mix in soy sauce and vinegar.
- The cornstarch was stirred into a slurry.
- Cook until thickened and add pepper before serving.
5. Chow Mein (Veg) Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chow mein noodles
- 1/2 cup shredded cabbage
- 1/4 cup julienned carrots
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
Instructions:
- Heat oil, sauté garlic, then add veggies.
- Cook the noodles in soy sauce and hoisin.
- Stir-fry just until all the ingredients are well combined and cooked.
6. Kung Pao Tofu Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 block of tofu, cubed and fried
- 1/2 cup bell peppers
- 1/4 cup roasted peanuts
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tsp chili paste
- 1 tsp sesame oil
Instructions:
- Stir-fry bell peppers. Throw in tofu and peanuts.
- The mixture is tossed until the coatings are equal.
- Hot rice or noodles are best for this dish.
7. Spring Rolls (Veg) Recipe
Ingredients:
- Spring roll wrappers
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
- 1/2 cup grated carrots
- 1/4 cup bean sprouts
- Soy sauce to taste
- Oil for frying
Instructions:
- Spoon in one tablespoon of the mixed liquids, fold into a long roll, and stick the edges tightly together.
- Fry until nice and brown on all sides.
8. Chinese Eggplant in Garlic Sauce Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 eggplants, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions:
- Pan-fry eggplant until soft.
- Add garlic, then all the sauce ingredients.
- Simmer until the sauce is thick. Serve hot.
9. Scallion Pancakes Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup warm water
- 1/2 cup chopped scallions
- Salt & oil
Instructions:
- Prepare the dough: mix the flour with water and knead. Rest for 30 minutes.
- Spread the dough, sprinkle oil, sand scallions, and roll the dough flat.
- Fry until golden on both sides, flip the cover, and repeat the process.
10. Sesame Balls (Jian Dui) Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup glutinous rice flour
- 1/4 cup water
- Red bean paste for filling
- Sesame seeds
- Oil for frying
Instructions:
- Mix flour with water into a dough.
- Wrap dough around a lump of bean paste.
- Spread some sesame seeds thinly over each one and then deep fry until golden brown.
11. Vegetable Fried Rice Recipe
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
- 3 cups cooked rice (preferably day-old, cold rice)
- 2 tablespoons oil (vegetable, canola, or sesame)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, minced (optional)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup carrots, diced
- 1/2 cup green beans, chopped
- 1/2 cup bell peppers, chopped (any color)
- 1/2 cup green peas (fresh or frozen)
- 2–3 tablespoons soy sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon vinegar (optional, for tang)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional, for finishing)
Instructions:
- Heat a bit of oil in a big pan or wok over medium-high heat.
- Sauté the garlic and ginger for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Throw in the chopped onion, carrots, green beans, and peppers, stir-frying them for 3 to 4 minutes until the veggies are somewhat tender.
- Add in the green peas and… cook another 1 or 2 minutes.
- Push veggies aside and add more oil to the wok as needed. Add the cold rice, breaking any clumps.
- Stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes, combining the rice with the veggies.
- Pour soy sauce and vinegar (if using), then season with salt and pepper. Mix everything well to ensure all the rice is coated.
- If desired, drizzle with sesame oil and stir in the chopped green onions.
- Serve immediately, garnished with more green onions or sesame seeds, if desired.

Megan Sheley is the passionate voice and creative force behind Clean Meal Recipes. With over 7 years of experience as a Food Blogger and Recipe Developer, Megan blends her love for wholesome food with her educational background in Public Health to create nutritious, delicious, and approachable recipes.