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17 Chinese Recipes So Good, You’ll Forget About Takeout

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Takeout is great, but these 17 Chinese recipes will make you rethink ordering in. From savory stir-fries to crispy favorites, these dishes are packed with flavor. They’re easy enough for a weeknight meal but impressive enough for a weekend treat. Forget the delivery fee—these recipes bring all the taste of your favorite Chinese dishes right to your kitchen. Ready to skip the takeout and try something even better?

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Stack of air fryer pork belly strips in hoisin glaze.
Air Fryer Pork Belly. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Air Fryer Wontons

Air fryer wontons on a plate with dipping sauce.
Air Fryer Wontons. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Air Fryer Wontons are a crispy, flavorful bite that reimagines the classic without the deep-frying mess. The filling is a savory mix of ground meat and spices, wrapped in a crispy shell and air-fried to perfection. These wontons are easy to make and perfect when you’re craving something familiar but want to skip the takeout. They’re crispy, juicy, and satisfying, giving you all the texture and flavor without the hassle.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Wontons

Crystal Dumplings

Low angle shot of dumplings with a steamer basket in the background.
Crystal Dumplings. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Crystal Dumplings are a delicate, chewy treat that’s light but still packed with flavor. The translucent wrappers reveal a filling of shrimp, pork, or vegetables, offering a subtle taste of savory goodness. These dumplings are perfect for when you want to make something from scratch that feels like a special occasion. They’re not just a great addition to any meal but also an impressive way to rethink your usual dumplings.
Get the Recipe: Crystal Dumplings

Chicken Potstickers

Overhead shot of chicken potstickers with chile paste on plates.
Chicken Potstickers. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Chicken Potstickers bring the satisfying crunch and tender filling of classic potstickers, with chicken as the star ingredient. These dumplings are pan-fried to crispy perfection on the bottom and steamed to keep the filling juicy. They’re quick to make and a great alternative to your usual takeout dumplings. The chicken filling gives these potstickers a lean twist, making them lighter without losing flavor.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Potstickers

Air Fryer Orange Chicken

Fried chicken pieces in orange sauce garnished with sesame seeds in a black bowl with chopsticks and a green and white napkin.
Air Fryer Orange Chicken. Photo credit: all Ways Delicious.

Air Fryer Orange Chicken takes the classic dish and simplifies it without sacrificing any of the flavor. The chicken is air-fried until crispy, then tossed in a tangy, sweet orange sauce that balances the richness of the chicken. This version is quick and easy to make, offering all the flavor of takeout but with a lot less oil. It’s perfect for when you want a crispy, saucy meal without the fuss of deep-frying.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Orange Chicken

Char Siu

Sliced char siu pork with lettuce leaves.
Char Siu. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Char Siu is a Chinese BBQ pork dish that brings smoky, savory flavors with a touch of sweetness. The pork is marinated in a flavorful mix of hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and spices, then roasted to perfection. This dish is incredibly easy to make at home and delivers a juicy, tender result that rivals anything from your favorite Chinese restaurant. It’s perfect for those who want to break up their usual rotation and try something full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Char Siu

Air Fryer Pork Belly

Stack of air fryer pork belly strips in hoisin glaze.
Air Fryer Pork Belly. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Air Fryer Pork Belly gives you crispy, melt-in-your-mouth pork belly without all the hassle of traditional roasting. The air fryer crisps up the skin while keeping the meat juicy and tender, creating a satisfying dish that’s easy to make. This recipe is perfect for when you want to indulge in pork belly but don’t want to deal with long cook times or extra fat. It’s a great way to enjoy a classic dish with a simpler, quicker method.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pork Belly

Mongolian Pork

Close-up of a dish featuring sliced beef with red chilies, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions. Chopsticks rest on top.
Mongolian Pork. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Mongolian Pork is a rich, savory dish that brings the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and umami flavors. The pork is stir-fried with green onions, soy sauce, and brown sugar, creating a savory glaze that coats the meat perfectly. It’s a dish that comes together quickly and makes a great weeknight dinner, offering the kind of flavor you usually only get at your favorite Chinese spot. This recipe will make you rethink your regular pork dishes with its bold, satisfying flavor.
Get the Recipe: Mongolian Pork

Hakka Noodles Stir-Fry

A bowl of stir-fried noodles with colorful vegetables like red and green bell peppers, garnished with spring onions. Chopsticks are lifting a portion of the noodles. A garlic bulb is visible in the background.
Hakka Noodles Stir-Fry. Photo credit: All The Noodles.

Hakka Noodles Stir-Fry is a hearty, flavorful dish that’s both quick and satisfying. The noodles are stir-fried with vegetables and your choice of protein in a savory sauce that’s full of depth. This dish is perfect for when you want something familiar but with a little more complexity than your usual noodle stir-fry. It’s a great meal for when you’re craving something flavorful, yet easy to make at home.
Get the Recipe: Hakka Noodles Stir-Fry

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Tanghulu

Overhead shot of tanghuluu on a white plate.
Tanghulu. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Tanghulu is a sweet, crunchy treat that gives a fresh twist to your usual dessert routine. The fruit is coated in a hard sugar syrup, giving it a sweet crunch that contrasts beautifully with the juicy fruit inside. This dessert is quick to make and offers a refreshing, fun way to enjoy fruit. It’s perfect for when you want something simple but satisfying, making it a unique addition to your meal.
Get the Recipe: Tanghulu

Garlic Chili Oil Noodles

A close-up of a hand using chopsticks to lift cooked noodles from a black pan. The noodles are mixed with vegetables and sauce. A small dish is visible in the background.
Garlic Chili Oil Noodles. Photo credit: All The Noodles.

Garlic Chili Oil Noodles are a spicy, flavorful dish that’s as comforting as it is bold. The noodles are tossed in a sauce made from garlic, chili oil, and soy sauce, giving them a savory, spicy kick that lingers with each bite. This dish is perfect for when you want something quick, satisfying, and with a little heat. The balance of garlic and chili oil makes this noodle dish a standout, leaving your regular pasta dishes in the dust.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Chili Oil Noodles

Crispy Beef

Low angle shot of crispy beef on a plate.
Crispy Beef. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Crispy Beef is a crunchy, savory dish that brings something different to your typical beef stir-fry. The beef is coated in a thin batter, fried to crispy perfection, and then tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce that makes each bite irresistible. This recipe is quick to make and perfect for when you want something crispy and flavorful but don’t want to take the time to deep-fry. It’s a great alternative to your usual beef dishes and a new way to enjoy beef.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Beef

Singapore Noodles

Rice noodles with meat and veggies on a white plate.
Singapore Noodles. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Singapore Noodles are a flavorful stir-fried dish made with thin rice vermicelli noodles, shrimp, and vegetables, all tossed in a curry sauce. The dish is light yet flavorful, with just the right amount of spice and a perfect balance of textures. It’s a great choice when you want to enjoy a satisfying noodle dish that’s not too heavy. This recipe is simple and easy to make but still delivers a burst of flavor that will have you forgetting about takeout.
Get the Recipe: Singapore Noodles

Chicken Hot and Sour Soup

Two bowls of hot and sour soup.
Chicken Hot and Sour Soup. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Chicken Hot and Sour Soup is a comforting, tangy soup that’s perfect for breaking up your regular meal routine. The chicken, mushrooms, and tofu are cooked in a flavorful broth with a balance of heat from pepper and acidity from vinegar. This soup is both light and filling, making it ideal for when you want something warm and hearty without feeling overly heavy. It’s the kind of dish that makes you rethink your usual soup options.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Hot and Sour Soup

Instant Pot Spare Ribs

Low angle, closeup shot of spare ribs with hoisin glaze.
Instant Pot Spare Ribs. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Instant Pot Spare Ribs make cooking tender, flavorful ribs easier and faster than ever before. The ribs are cooked to perfection in the Instant Pot, absorbing all the spices and seasonings that give them a rich, smoky flavor. This recipe is perfect when you want ribs without spending hours at the grill or in the oven. It’s a great way to enjoy tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs at home with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Spare Ribs

Air Fryer Spring Rolls

Stacked spring rolls on a white plate.
Air Fryer Spring Rolls. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Air Fryer Spring Rolls are a healthier take on the classic appetizer, giving you crispy, golden spring rolls without the oil. The filling of vegetables, shrimp, and seasonings is wrapped in rice paper and air-fried to perfection, creating a light yet satisfying dish. These spring rolls are great for when you want a crunchy, savory snack or appetizer without the hassle of deep-frying. They’re perfect for breaking out of your usual appetizer routine with a quick and easy recipe.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Spring Rolls

Beef Chow Fun

Two bowls of beef chow fun stir-fried with broccoli and bean sprouts, garnished with sesame seeds. The dishes are served in gray bowls, and the background shows another bowl with ingredients. A pair of chopsticks is placed beside the front bowl.
Beef Chow Fun. Photo credit: All The Noodles.

Beef Chow Fun is a classic stir-fry dish that brings together tender beef, wide rice noodles, and vegetables in a savory sauce. The noodles soak up all the sauce, creating a satisfying, flavorful dish that’s quick to make. This recipe is perfect for when you’re craving takeout-style beef noodles but want to make them at home. It’s a great option when you want a hearty, flavorful meal with just a few simple ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Beef Chow Fun

Spicy Cucumber Salad

Overhead shot of spicy cucumber salad in a black bowl with a fancy serving spoon on the side.
Spicy Cucumber Salad. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Spicy Cucumber Salad is a refreshing, crunchy dish with a bit of heat that pairs perfectly with your main meal. The cucumbers are tossed with chili flakes, garlic, and vinegar, creating a tangy, spicy dressing that balances out the freshness of the cucumber. It’s a quick, easy salad that makes a great side to any Asian-inspired meal. This dish is perfect when you want to add a little spice to your usual vegetable sides.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Cucumber Salad

By on May 11th, 2025
Photo of Robin Donovan

About Robin Donovan

Robin Donovan is the creative force behind All Ways Delicious. She’s an Associated Press syndicated food and travel writer and the bestselling author of more than 40 cookbooks, including Ramen for Beginners, Ramen Obsession, and Campfire Cuisine. Her work has been featured in major publications including Chicago Sun-Times, Huffington Post, MSN, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seattle Times, Food & Wine, Cooking Light, PopSugar, Fitness, Mercury News, and many others. More about Robin

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