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What to Serve With Chinese Food: 15 Best Side Dishes

Enhance your Chinese cuisine with these delightful side dishes. Start with crispy spring rolls for a satisfying crunch or enjoy the delicate flavors of wonton soup. Egg drop soup offers silky egg strands in every spoonful, while fried rice brings a rejuvenating and versatile option to the table. Steamed dumplings, filled with pork, chicken, or veggies, pair wonderfully with dipping sauces. You can also explore Peking duck buns, fragrant jasmine rice, or edamame for simple, healthy choices. For a revitalizing twist, try a sweet and sour cucumber salad. Discover these and more tantalizing sides to impress your guests.

Spring Rolls

fresh vegetables and shrimp

Spring rolls are a popular and versatile Chinese appetizer. They offer a delightful combination of crispy exterior and savory filling. Perfecting the wrapping technique guarantees each roll is perfectly sealed, preventing oil absorption.

Dipping sauces play a crucial role in enhancing the flavors of spring rolls. Options range from sweet chili to tangy soy-based varieties, all of which complement the dish beautifully.

The appeal of spring rolls lies in their simplicity and the satisfying crunch experienced with every bite.

Wonton Soup

comforting broth and dumplings

Wonton soup, a staple in Chinese cuisine, features delicate dumplings filled with seasoned meat or vegetables, swimming in a flavorful broth. Ingredient variations include pork, shrimp, or mushrooms, offering diverse tastes.

This soup provides notable health benefits, such as being low in calories and rich in proteins and vitamins, making it a wholesome addition to any Chinese meal.

Egg Drop Soup

delicious chinese comfort food

Egg Drop Soup is a classic in Chinese cuisine. It features silky strands of beaten eggs swirled into a savory, translucent broth. This comforting dish is simple to prepare with a few cooking tips, such as stirring gently to create delicate egg ribbons.

Nutritionally, it's low in calories and rich in protein, making it both a healthy and delicious side dish for any Chinese meal.

Fried Rice

delicious stir fried rice dish

Another quintessential accompaniment to Chinese cuisine is fried rice, a versatile dish that combines day-old rice with a medley of vegetables, proteins, and savory seasonings.

Mastering the cooking techniques for fried rice involves stir-frying over high heat to achieve the perfect texture.

Flavor variations are endless, from classic soy sauce and ginger combinations to more adventurous additions like pineapple and spicy chili.

Steamed Dumplings

delicious chinese food option

Steamed dumplings, with their delicate wrappers and flavorful fillings, are an essential component of Chinese culinary tradition. These small delights, often filled with pork, chicken, or vegetables, are steamed to perfection using traditional cooking techniques.

Accompanied by a variety of dipping sauces such as soy sauce and chili oil, steamed dumplings offer a versatile and delicious option for any Chinese meal.

Hot and Sour Soup

savory chinese winter comfort

Complementing the array of appetizers like steamed dumplings, Hot and Sour Soup stands out with its robust and tangy flavor profile, providing a perfect balance to the meal.

This soup, known for its spicy flavor, follows a traditional recipe that combines vinegar, white pepper, and soy sauce. It's a must-try that warms the soul and enhances the dining experience with its unique taste.

Scallion Pancakes

delicious chinese appetizer recipe

Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, Scallion Pancakes offer a delightful textural contrast that enhances any Chinese meal.

These savory pancakes are made using simple cooking techniques and are best enjoyed with various dipping sauces, such as soy sauce or vinegar.

They are easy to prepare and bring a comforting, homemade touch to your dining experience.

Bok Choy Stir-Fry

tasty vegan weeknight dinner

Bok Choy Stir-Fry is a classic Chinese side dish that combines tender bok choy with aromatic garlic and ginger for a flavorful and nutritious addition to any meal.

Baby bok choy, with its delicate texture, is often used and pairs wonderfully with a savory garlic sauce.

This simple yet delicious dish enhances the overall dining experience with its fresh, vibrant taste and health benefits.

Chinese Cabbage Salad

delicious and refreshing salad

Shifting from the warmth of a stir-fry to an invigorating, crisp option, Chinese Cabbage Salad offers a delightful contrast with its light, tangy dressing and fresh, crunchy texture.

Made with Napa cabbage, this salad is both invigorating and satisfying.

The salad dressing, often a mix of soy sauce, vinegar, and sesame oil, enhances the natural flavors, making it a perfect companion to your meal.

Sesame Noodles

asian inspired cold noodle dish

Sesame Noodles deliver a harmonious blend of nutty and savory flavors, making them a versatile and delectable side dish for any Chinese meal.

Often served as cold sesame noodles, they can be prepared using various noodle variations, such as soba or spaghetti.

This dish is easy to make and provides an invigorating contrast to hot entrees, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Chinese Broccoli

green leafy vegetable

Chinese Broccoli, also known as Gai Lan, is a staple in Chinese cuisine, prized for its tender leaves and crisp stems. Often served with a savory ginger sauce or a rich oyster glaze, it offers a delightful balance of flavors.

Its vibrant green color and satisfying crunch make it a perfect side dish to complement various Chinese main courses.

Peking Duck Buns

delicious snack from china

Peking Duck Buns, with their succulent duck meat and soft, pillowy buns, are a quintessential side dish that brings a touch of luxury to any Chinese meal.

The rich hoisin sauce and sweet duck glaze perfectly complement the tender meat, creating a harmonious blend of flavors.

These buns are not just a treat for the taste buds but also a visual delight on the table.

Jasmine Rice

thai fragrant rice variety

A staple accompaniment to many Chinese dishes, Jasmine Rice offers a fragrant and subtly sweet flavor that perfectly balances the richness of Peking Duck Buns.

This aromatic flavor comes from its unique cooking techniques, which often involve steaming or boiling.

The result is a fluffy, slightly sticky texture that absorbs sauces beautifully, enhancing each bite with its delicate, inviting aroma.

Edamame

steamed soybean pods appetizer

Edamame, young soybeans steamed until tender and lightly salted, provide a simple yet nutritious side dish that complements a variety of Chinese meals.

The edamame health benefits are numerous, including high protein and fiber content.

Edamame seasoning options are versatile; try sprinkling them with sea salt, garlic powder, or a dash of chili flakes to suit your taste preferences.

Are the Best Side Dishes for Chinese Food Also Suitable for Cajun Dirty Rice?

When it comes to the best side dishes for Cajun dirty rice, Chinese food options may not be the most suitable. Traditional Cajun side dishes like collard greens, cornbread, or black-eyed peas complement the bold flavors of dirty rice much better. Stick to Southern classics for a perfect pairing.

Sweet and Sour Cucumber Salad

refreshing summer salad recipe

Sweet and Sour Cucumber Salad is a popular dish that is often served as an invigorating accompaniment to Chinese entrees. It balances tangy and sweet flavors in a delightful harmony. This dish showcases pickle varieties and salad innovations, creating a rejuvenating contrast to main courses.

The cucumbers are typically marinated in a mixture of vinegar, sugar, and spices. This results in a crisp, flavorful experience that enhances any meal.