How to Understand Chinese Cooking Terminology

Chinese cuisine is delicious, healthy and easy to learn. If you want to master Chinese cooking, you should first learn the language of the kitchen and the names of all the tools you'll be using.

Instructions

1. Take a class. Look for a Chinese cooking class in your community. These are offered by community colleges, caterers, culinary schools or personal chefs. Restaurants may offer classes too, so call your favorite Chinese restaurant and ask.

2. Buy a Chinese cookbook. A classic Chinese cookbook will not only have tons of great recipes, it will have a section that defines Chinese terminology for you, so you can learn the means as you practice them. The Everything Chinese Cookbook is a great one and available at Amazon and other major book retailers.

3. Visit China. Where better to learn Chinese cooking and cooking terminology than at the source. There are many companies that offering cooking trips specifically to not only enjoy a great vacation but to learn about the cuisine. Tour-Beijing is just one of those companies that offers great adventures (see Resources below).

4. Get a private lesson. Look in your yellow pages for a personal chef or caterer that specializes in Chinese cooking. Call and ask them if they offer private lessons in your home and how much they cost. This is a great interactive way to learn in the comfort of your own kitchen.

5. Buy a video. Demonstrational cooking videos are available for all types of food and offer a great way to learn Chinese cooking and the terminology that goes with it in the comfort of your own kitchen. Wok Fusion offers a great video entitled "Cooking Training Volume 1: Boot Camp Set." See their website for information on this and other products that teach you how to cook Chinese cuisine.

Resources

• Tour-Beijing
• Wok Fusion