Master one of the world's most diverse cuisines—spanning regional styles from Sichuan's fiery heat to Cantonese delicacy. Chinese cooking emphasizes: wok cooking (high heat, quick stir-frying), balance of flavors (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, umami), texture variety (crispy, tender, chewy), and fresh ingredients.
Essential techniques: stir-frying (constant motion, blazing heat), steaming (dumplings, fish), braising (red-cooked pork), and deep-frying. Key ingredients: soy sauce, rice wine, ginger, garlic, scallions, sesame oil, star anise. Regional styles: Sichuan (numbing mala spice), Cantonese (fresh, subtle), Hunan (sour heat), Shanghainese (sweet soy braising). Learn knife skills—julienne, dice, slice.
Master fried rice, dumplings, mapo tofu, kung pao chicken. Mise en place essential—cooking happens fast. Family-style dining culture. Healthier than takeout, more authentic flavors.