23 Chinese-Inspired Recipes With Soups, Stir-Fries, and Small Bites

Chinese-inspired food can cover a quiet bowl at lunch, a stir-fry for dinner, or a small bite before the main plate. Pick one based on what sounds right, from something warm and spoonable to something you can serve in smaller portions. You can start with a soup, set out a snack, or make a dinner plate with takeout-style flavor at home.

Stir-fried chicken pieces in a spicy sauce, garnished with chopped green onions, served in a round metal dish on an orange placemat. — General Tso’s Chicken. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Scallion Pancakes

Golden layers and crisp edges make Scallion Pancakes a strong small-bite choice when soup or fried rice needs something on the side. The dough rests for 30 minutes before being brushed with peanut oil, rolled with scallions, and pan-fried, bringing the total time to 1 hour 10 minutes. The recipe makes four pancakes and includes a soy-vinegar dipping sauce. Cut them into wedges for an appetizer plate or serve them beside a lighter bowl of soup.
Get the Recipe: Scallion Pancakes

Sweet and Sour Pork

A glossy sauce and crisp-coated pork give Sweet and Sour Pork the bold contrast many people expect from a takeout-style main. This 35-minute recipe serves four and combines pork tenderloin with pineapple, red and green bell peppers, onion, garlic, and ginger. The pork is fried before everything is tossed with sweet and sour sauce. Spoon it over white rice when dinner needs a substantial centerpiece with both sweet and savory notes.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Sour Pork

Chinese Steamed Chicken

A bowl of steamed chicken pieces with mushrooms, garnished with chopped green onions, with chopsticks picking up a piece. — Chinese Steamed Chicken. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Gentle steaming keeps Chinese Steamed Chicken tender while shiitake mushrooms add depth without a heavy sauce. The 30-minute recipe serves four, using chicken thighs, ginger, green onions, light soy sauce, and sesame oil. A hot oil finish carries the ginger and scallion flavor across the chicken just before serving. This works well for a quieter dinner with plain rice or noodles, especially when fried dishes are not what the evening calls for.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Steamed Chicken

Pork Fried Rice

Close-up of fried rice with chunks of meat, peas, diced carrots, and bean sprouts mixed together. — Pork Fried Rice. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Golden rice and hoisin-coated pork make Pork Fried Rice substantial enough to stand on its own for lunch or dinner. In 35 minutes, the recipe combines diced pork tenderloin, eggs, carrots, peas, bean sprouts, green onions, ginger, garlic, and two kinds of soy sauce. Cold jasmine rice helps the grains stay separate as they cook. Serve the four portions as a main dish, or use smaller scoops beside a stir-fry when several dishes are on the menu.
Get the Recipe: Pork Fried Rice

Egg Drop Soup

Silky ribbons running through a seasoned broth give Egg Drop Soup its familiar restaurant-style texture. The recipe takes 20 minutes and serves four, with eggs, chicken broth, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, cornstarch, black pepper, and Sichuan pepper. Continuous stirring creates the thin strands as the egg enters the simmering broth. Ladle it into small bowls before dinner, or pair it with scallion pancakes for a simple soup-and-snack meal.
Get the Recipe: Egg Drop Soup

Kung Pao Chicken

A close-up of a stir-fry dish featuring pieces of chicken, snap peas, red bell peppers, scallions, and black sesame seeds. — Kung Pao Chicken. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

A fast stir-fry with a little heat makes Kung Pao Chicken useful when dinner needs more energy than plain chicken and rice. This 30-minute recipe serves four and cooks chicken breast with red bell pepper, sugar snap peas, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, vinegar, and chicken broth. Cornstarch thickens the sauce so it coats the meat and vegetables. Add steamed rice to make it a full meal, with green onions and sesame oil finishing each serving.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Chicken

Egg Roll

A wooden tray with spring rolls and lime wedges lined with parchment paper sits next to a small bowl of dipping sauce on a light surface. — Egg Roll. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Crackly wrappers around a savory filling give Egg Roll the sturdy texture that works for snacks, starters, or a side beside noodles. The 30-minute recipe makes 12 rolls with ground pork, coleslaw mix, green onions, ginger, garlic powder, soy sauce, and egg roll wrappers. Each roll is sealed with a flour paste and fried until golden. Serve them warm with sweet and sour sauce, or make a batch for a casual appetizer board.
Get the Recipe: Egg Roll

Wonton Soup

A ceramic bowl of clear soup containing dumplings, sliced mushrooms, broccolini, chopped green onions, and cilantro. — Wonton Soup. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

A light broth filled with vegetables and dumplings makes Wonton Soup more substantial than a plain starter. The 30-minute recipe serves four and simmers frozen wontons with shiitake mushrooms, broccolini, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, chicken broth, and soy sauce. Green onion adds a fresh finish without weighing down the bowl. This is a practical one-pot dinner for cooler evenings, though smaller portions also work before a rice or noodle dish.
Get the Recipe: Wonton Soup

Egg Fried Rice

Oval dish filled with fried rice garnished with chopped green onions. — Egg Fried Rice. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Loose grains, soft egg, and a sesame finish keep Egg Fried Rice simple while still giving the plate enough substance. The recipe takes 25 minutes and serves four with jasmine rice, four eggs, green onions, soy sauce, vegetable oil, and sesame oil. Its short ingredient list makes the rice easy to pair with stronger sauces. Serve it beside General Tso’s Chicken or vegetable stir-fry, or keep it as the main dish for a quick lunch.
Get the Recipe: Egg Fried Rice

Cashew Chicken

Crunch from nuts and vegetables gives Cashew Chicken more texture than a sauce-heavy stir-fry alone. This 40-minute recipe serves four, combining chicken breast with red bell pepper, broccoli, edamame, cashews, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and chili garlic sauce. Cornstarch helps the chicken brown and the sauce cling. Spoon it over rice when dinner needs a balanced mix of protein, vegetables, and a lightly sweet, savory coating.
Get the Recipe: Cashew Chicken

Crispy Egg Rolls

Vegan egg rolls in a wooden tray. — Crispy Egg Rolls. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

A crisp shell around a vegetable-packed center makes Crispy Egg Rolls a useful meatless option among the smaller bites. The 40-minute recipe serves six and fills 12 wrappers with cabbage, mushrooms, carrots, green onions, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and sesame oil. The vegetables cook briefly before the rolls are assembled and fried. Set them out with sweet and sour sauce for a starter, or add two to a plate with fried rice and stir-fried vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Egg Rolls

Chicken Fried Rice

Color from peas, carrots, bell pepper, and green onions runs through Chicken Fried Rice, making it more than a bowl of rice with scattered meat. The 35-minute recipe serves four with chicken breast, eggs, cooked long-grain rice, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and low-sodium soy sauce. A wok or large skillet gives everything enough room to fry rather than steam. Pack leftovers for lunch, or serve the rice as a full dinner with a simple cucumber side.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fried Rice

Shrimp Fried Rice

Plump shrimp and lightly crisped rice give Shrimp Fried Rice enough contrast to work as a complete one-pan meal. The recipe takes 25 minutes and serves four, using day-old rice, large shrimp, onion, mixed vegetables, egg, soy sauce, and green onions. The shrimp cook first, then return after the rice has fried. This is a strong choice for a fast dinner when leftover rice is waiting, with chili flakes or extra soy sauce served on the side.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Fried Rice

Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

Close-up of a stir-fry dish with chicken, broccoli, mushrooms, and sesame seeds, coated in a soy-based sauce. — Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

A glossy sauce covering tender chicken and vegetables makes Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry familiar without being plain. In 30 minutes, the recipe serves four with chicken breast, broccoli, mushrooms, green onions, garlic, ginger, chicken broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, and sesame oil. The cornstarch-thickened sauce brings the pieces together in the pan. Serve it over rice for a weeknight main that includes protein and vegetables without needing several separate dishes.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

Air Fryer Honey Walnut Shrimp

A plate of honey walnut shrimp topped with green onions. — Air Fryer Honey Walnut Shrimp. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Crisp coating, creamy sauce, and candied nuts give Air Fryer Honey Walnut Shrimp several textures in one serving. The 45-minute recipe serves four and uses jumbo shrimp, cornstarch, egg, walnuts, brown sugar, mayonnaise, rice vinegar, and honey. The shrimp cook in the air fryer at 400°F, while the walnuts and sauce are prepared separately. Bring it out for a weekend dinner or a takeout-style night when a little extra preparation fits the schedule.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Honey Walnut Shrimp

Panda Express Beijing Beef

A bowl of stir-fried beef with red bell peppers, onions, and chopped green onions, served on a white plate. — Panda Express Beijing Beef. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Sticky sauce and crisp beef strips make Panda Express Beijing Beef a slower project with a strong takeout-style payoff. The recipe serves four and takes 1 hour 40 minutes, including a one-hour marinade for flank steak. Bell pepper, onion, garlic, hoisin sauce, sweet chili sauce, ketchup, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar build the coating. Plan it for an evening with more time, then serve it over rice so none of the sauce is left behind.
Get the Recipe: Panda Express Beijing Beef

Candied Tanghulu

Skewers of grapes and strawberries coated in a shiny glaze are arranged on a light surface with loose fruit pieces nearby. — Candied Tanghulu. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

A glassy sugar shell cracking around juicy fruit gives Candied Tanghulu a clear change of pace after the savory dishes. The 40-minute recipe makes 12 servings with sugar, water, and fruit such as strawberries, grapes, kiwi, or apples. Completely dry fruit helps the hot syrup coat and set properly on each skewer. Serve it soon after the shell hardens, either as a bright dessert plate or a hands-on weekend kitchen project.
Get the Recipe: Candied Tanghulu

Bang Bang Shrimp

A bowl of rice topped with shrimp in a creamy sauce, garnished with cucumber slices, lime wedge, cilantro, and sliced green onions. — Bang Bang Shrimp. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Creamy heat over lightly coated seafood makes Bang Bang Shrimp work as either an appetizer or a quick main dish. The 20-minute recipe serves four with shrimp, lime juice, cornstarch, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha. The sauce is mixed separately and folded through after the shrimp cook. Serve it with rice and cucumber slices for dinner, or place smaller portions in cups for a casual starter before noodles or stir-fry.
Get the Recipe: Bang Bang Shrimp

Chow Mein

Saucy noodles and crisp vegetables give Chow Mein the kind of broad appeal that makes it easy to build a meal around. The 20-minute recipe serves four with chow mein noodles, cabbage, celery, onion, carrots, green onions, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and broth. The noodles finish directly in the thickened sauce. Add chicken, beef, or shrimp separately when needed, or serve the noodles beside egg rolls and a lighter vegetable dish.
Get the Recipe: Chow Mein

Chinese Salt & Pepper Shrimp

A close-up of a serving of shrimp garnished with chopped green onions, red chili slices, and cilantro, placed in a bowl with chopsticks on the side. — Chinese Salt & Pepper Shrimp. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

A peppery crust and quick-fried finish give Chinese Salt & Pepper Shrimp a drier, crisper style than the sauced shrimp dishes in the list. The 35-minute recipe serves four with large shrimp, Thai chiles, fish sauce, garlic, ginger, flour, cornstarch, scallions, peppercorns, and coarse salt. The shrimp are coated and fried before the seasonings are added. Serve them with rice and a fresh vegetable side, or offer smaller portions as a starter.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Salt & Pepper Shrimp

Vegetable Stir Fry

Bright color and crisp-tender texture make Vegetable Stir Fry a useful counterpoint to fried rice, noodles, or richer mains. The 27-minute recipe serves four with broccolini, three colors of bell pepper, mushrooms, green onion, sesame seeds, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey or maple syrup, and sesame oil. The vegetables cook for about seven minutes before the sauce joins them. Serve it as a main over rice or as a flexible side beside chicken, pork, or shrimp.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Stir Fry

Caramelized Fried Banana

A close up of a plate of fried bananas with sauce. — Caramelized Fried Banana. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Deep golden edges and a sticky glaze make Caramelized Fried Banana a quick dessert that does not require baking. The 10-minute recipe serves two and cooks ripe bananas with oil or butter, honey, brown sugar, cinnamon, water, and a pinch of salt. The short cook softens the fruit while the sugars thicken around it. Spoon the bananas over ice cream or pancakes, or serve them warm on their own after a savory dinner.
Get the Recipe: Caramelized Fried Banana

General Tso’s Chicken

A crisp coating under a sweet, garlicky sauce gives General Tso’s Chicken the bold finish expected from a takeout-style main. The recipe takes 1 hour and serves six, including a 30-minute marinade for chicken breast. Flour, cornstarch, egg whites, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and red pepper flakes build the crust and sauce. Serve it with plain rice and a simple green vegetable to balance the richer coating.
Get the Recipe: General Tso’s Chicken