- lotus root and pork bone soup
- ABC soup (carrot, tomato, & potato soup)
- fuzzy melon soup with pork ribsThis fuzzy melon soup is packed with nutrition, is lightly flavored by dried scallops and shrimp, and has tender pork ribs that easily fall off the bone.
- taro sagoOne of my absolute favorite desserts from my childhood is taro sago, a dessert soup filled with soft chunks of … Read more
- spam musubi with tamagoyakiTake the classic Hawaiian snack up a notch with lightly sweet tamagoyaki -- a perfect pairing with the salty, sweet-glazed spam.
- steamed eggs with minced beefSilky, soft steamed eggs topped with a savory and saucy minced beef -- a combination that's perfectly delicious over a warm bed of rice.
- mango sticky riceThis classic Thai mango sticky rice combines ripe mangoes with sweet coconut sticky rice to make the most satisfying dessert!
- Din Tai Fung seaweed & beancurd saladThis refreshing appetizer inspired by Din Tai Fung's popular seaweed & beancurd salad is full of crisp textures and flavor. Perfect to pair with any savory meal!
- toisan-style joong (cantonese zongzi)How to make my parents' Toisan-style joong, filled with delicious savory ingredients like pork belly, Chinese sausage, salted egg yolk, mung beans, peanuts, dried shrimp, and dried scallop.
- stir fry sweet potato leaves with garlicStir fry sweet potato leaves with garlic are a classic Chinese restaurant dish that's easy to replicate at home!
- stir fry glass noodles (mung bean vermicelli)Stir fry glass noodles (mung bean vermicelli) is a comforting dish that's filled with springy, chewy noodles, slightly crunchy veggies, … Read more
- creamy mango sagoYou only need 5 ingredients to make this easy, creamy mango sago -- the best summer dessert!
- Chinese veggie spring rollsThese crispy Chinese veggie spring rolls might be one of the most underrated delicious appetizers that you can easily make … Read more
- homemade Chinese pineapple buns (shortcut version!)These delicious homemade pineapple buns are made EXTRA easy with a shortcut: using store-bought fluffy sweet rolls as the "bun." No need to fuss with a dough, and they turn out so good!
- chicken katsu with tomato egg sauceThis luscious tomato egg sauce coats every piece of crispy, juicy chicken katsu -- making this an addicting combination that will have you going back for more after each bite!
- tender chicken and broccoliEven though we're using chicken breast, the marinade will keep this incredibly tender and juicy -- perfect to pair with broccoli and this savory sauce.
- crispy pumpkin with salted egg yolkThese crispy pieces of sweet fried pumpkin coated in savory salted egg yolks make a combination that's incredibly addicting!
- mama smelly's kohlrabi riceThis unassuming dish is one of my family's absolute favorite dishes that my mom makes. Packed with savory Chinese cured meats, aromatics, and delightful bites of kohlrabi. A must try!
- Chinese steamed eggs with shrimpOne of the best variations of this dish, this Chinese steamed eggs with shrimp is one of the most delicious pantry recipes you can make!
- Chinese Pantry Essentials: 7 seasonings you need to cook Chinese foodA list of the must-have, Chinese Pantry Essentials you need to cook ~90% of all my recipes (and most Chinese food)!
- Chinese beef and broccoliThis addicting and satisfying classic Chinese beef and broccoli dish features tender pieces of beef and crisp broccoli covered in a savory, delicious sauce!
- Cantonese steamed chicken and mushroomsTender, juicy chicken, umami shiitake mushrooms, and savory Chinese sausages make this a cozy Cantonese dish that's simple enough for a weekday meal.
- golden egg fried riceThis rich, egg yolk-coated golden egg fried rice is made from ingredients you probably already have in your pantry!
- shrimp and chive patties (no eggs needed!)Perfect for a healthy and satisfying meal, these juicy shrimp and chive patties are easy, customizable, and can be served as an appetizer or main course!
- Chinese steamed pork patty with preserved vegetablesChinese steamed pork patty with preserved vegetables is probably one of the least aesthetic, but most comforting and nostalgic dishes … Read more
- Chinese steamed eggs with clamsAn expectedly delicious combination of flavors, I promise this silky Chinese steamed eggs with clams will leave you so pleasantly surprised!
- Cantonese fried fish with cream cornCrispy, fried pieces of white fish smothered in a savory and naturally sweet corn sauce! This Cantonese fried fish with cream corn is a delicious restaurant classic that's easy to replicate at home.
- Chinese steamed eggsChinese steamed eggs were a staple in our home growing up — we used to eat them 1-2x per week … Read more
- Panda Express mushroom chickenPanda Express mushroom chicken is one of the most underrated choices among their entrees! I get it every time I … Read more
- chirashi bowlRecreating my favorite chirashi bowls inspired by the ones at my local Japanese supermarket, Suruki Supermarket in San Mateo! Chirashi … Read more
- kimchi dan dan noodlesKimchi dan dan noodles aren't a real thing (as far as I know)! However, I was inspired by the Chinese … Read more
- Chinese turnip cakes (lo bak go)Chinese turnip cakes (known to some as radish cakes), or lo bak go, are some of the most popular and … Read more
- stir-fried rice cakes (for Lunar New Year)Stir-fried rice cakes, also known as Shanghai stir-fried rice cakes, is a great dish to celebrate the upcoming Lunar New … Read more
- saucy beef lo meinThis saucy beef lo mein is easily customizable with whatever protein and veggies you have sitting in your fridge! Perfect … Read more
- honey walnut shrimp (no deep-frying)Honey walnut shrimp has become a Chinese banquet dinner and takeout classic in the US. I know many of you … Read more
- steamed kimchi mandu (Korean kimchi dumplings)Steamed kimchi mandu, or Korean kimchi dumplings, were one of the common street foods I encountered a lot during my … Read more
- Sichuan-style hot & sour shredded potatoesSichuan-style hot & sour shredded potatoes is a classic appetizer that’s slightly crunchy and very addicting! The best part: it … Read more
- steamed pork spare ribs with kabocha squashSteamed pork spare ribs are a classic dish at dim sum! It’s also a dish my parents would often make … Read more
- char siu (Chinese BBQ pork)Char siu (cha siu in Cantonese), or Chinese BBQ pork, is a staple you'd find at most Chinese restaurants and butcher shops. It's savory, lightly sweet, and my favorite ones are slightly fatty to keep the slices tender and juicy.
- crispy chive egg dumplingsAn easier, crispier version of Chinese chive boxes, these crispy chive egg dumplings made with rice paper are so addicting to make and eat!
- kimchi fried riceAn easy weeknight meal that comes together in under 30 minutes and satisfies the craving for comfort food! With the right tips and ingredients, you can make it even better than most restaurants'.
- mooncake filling: white lotus paste from scratchDon't want to use store-bought mooncake filling or can't find it at your local Asian supermarket? Here's how you can make your own lotus paste mooncake filling from scratch!
- Chinese lettuce wraps with hoisin (san choy bow)
- mooncakes with salted egg yolk and lotus pasteCelebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival by making your own salted egg yolk lotus paste mooncakes this year! I share my best … Read more
- pan-fried crispy chow mein with shrimp
A bed of light and crispy noodles topped with a savory gravy — a classic Chinese restaurant dish! You’d be surprised at how easy it is to make at home.
- Din Tai Fung garlic green beans
One of my favorites from Din Tai Fung is their perfectly executed green beans! With a few key tips, you can make this easily at home.
- pork and shrimp wonton noodle soupMy family’s wonton noodle soup recipe is one we’ve iterated on over the years — it’s packed with some special ingredients for extra flavor! I share my best tips to get the juiciest and bounciest wontons.
- steamed rice rolls with beef (cheung fun)
The beef version of this classic and must-order at dim sum! Check my earlier post for the popular shrimp version.
- shrimp rice noodle rolls (cheung fun)Shrimp rice noodle rolls are a classic and must-order at dim sum! I share all my learnings and tips here — I promise it’s not as intimidating to make at home as it may seem.
- cantonese soy braised chicken wingsThe juiciest, most tender Cantonese soy braised chicken wings you'll eat!
- stuffed egg tofu with shrimpSilky, egg tofu paired with juicy and snappy shrimp makes a perfect pairing that's both nutritious and delicious!
- Chinese mapo tofu
Spicy, savory, and a bit numbing — this dish goes perfectly with a warm bowl of rice!
- Chinese eggplant & minced pork with garlic sauceThis delicious Chinese Eggplant & Minced Pork with Garlic Sauce will have you reaching for a second bowl of rice -- make this in 5 easy steps!
- yu choy with garlic sauce
Also know as choy sum, this light and sweet veggie pairs perfectly with a savory, garlicky sauce.
- kung pao chicken (better than Panda Express!)
Move over Panda Express — you can make better kung pao chicken at home!
- zhajiangmian (fried sauce noodles)
A hearty and satisfying noodle dish balanced by the refreshing crunch of thinly sliced cucumbers and carrots!
- easy shrimp chow mein
One of my favorite weeknight dinners — great to use up what you have in your fridge!
- fresh spring rolls with peanut sauce
Fresh spring rolls are a perfectly refreshing appetizer with an addictive peanut sauce! Also just kind of fun to roll.
- braised chashu pork belly with marinated eggs
A great weekend project that will reward you some of the tastiest chashu you can eat over white rice or in a soup with ramen!
- stir-fry garlic bok choy
Chinese stir-fry veggies is one of the best ways to incorporate more vegetables into your meals. Try this easy and delicious stir-fry garlic bok choy!
- tofu katsu curry
A great vegetarian option for katsu curry!
- cantonese beef chow fun (dry)Baking soda is commonly used in marinades for Chinese stir fries for certain meats. It helps tenderize the meat, especially tougher and leaner cuts like flank steak.
- San Francisco-style (the BEST) garlic noodles
Garlicky, creamy, and satisfying — you HAVE to try these SF-style garlic noodles!
- Happy Winter Solstice!
Why do we eat tangyuan during the winter solstice?
- shrimp fried rice
Tastes fresher and better than takeout!
- easy Hainan chicken & rice
Tender pieces of chicken, fragrant rice, and a warm bowl of chicken broth. No need to fuss with a whole chicken to get this dish!
- chicken katsu curry
Shallow-fried, crispy and juicy chicken over a bed of rice and curry.
- tomato & egg
This comfort dish comes together in less than 15 minutes!
- clay pot rice
A non-traditional take on a classic! Clay pot not required — any small, heavy bottomed pot will work.
- why I'm starting smelly lunchbox
The story behind the blog.
I grew up being embarrassed by my smelly lunchbox… I wanted nothing more than for my parents to pack me a ham & cheese sandwich or lunchables! Now, my life-long love for food & cooking combined with my desire to reconnect with and celebrate these Chinese & Asian flavors from my heritage bring you this smellylunchbox that I’m excited and proud to share. I hope you enjoy them!