30 Popular Cantonese Recipes to Try Tonight

Ditch the usual pasta or fish dish, and try these delicious Cantonese recipes at your next dinner party.

They’re bright, fresh, and oh-so-tasty!

Originating in the Guangzhou province of South China, Cantonese foods are just one of the eight Chinese culinary styles.

And you’ll find that most Chinese restaurants actually serve traditional Cantonese recipes as standard.

So you’ve probably already eaten some of these wonderfully scrumptious meals.

Many feature “The Holy Trinity ” of scallions, ginger, and garlic. And they’re all full of fresh flavors.

So if you want something unique and delicious for dinner tonight, give these a try!

20 Authentic Cantonese Recipes You Don’t Want to Miss

1. Cantonese Soy Sauce Chow Mein

A super versatile recipe at its core, chow mein is a terrific introduction to Cantonese cuisine.

Crunchy noodles and a simple sauce get the party started. From there, you’ll need some staple Asian ingredients to make the sauce.

Add sautéd veggies, and you’re good to go. Or, top it with some protein to make it extra hearty. 

2. Steamed Chicken with Mushrooms and Dried Lily Flowers

If this delicious dish doesn’t wow you, I’m not sure what will! It’s earthy, unique, and as tasty as it sounds. 

The chicken is ultra tender from marinade and cooking in steam. Meanwhile, the mushrooms and dried lilies ensure it’s earthy and succulent.

This recipe is lovely served over steamed rice with the sauce drizzled over the top. 

3. Cantonese Steamed Fish

This simple dish is a classic Cantonese recipe that deserves a place at your dinner table.

It’s straightforward to prepare and showcases the delicate flavors of Cantonese cooking beautifully.

The aromatics – ginger, scallions, and cilantro – are the key to making a delicious sauce.

You’ll need to lightly fry the fresh herbs before adding the soy sauce to ensure they’re as flavorful and umami-rich as possible.

Also, be sure to select a flaky white fish, such as tilapia, haddock, or cod filets.

4. Sweet and Sour Chicken

We can’t talk about Cantonese foods without a recipe for sweet and sour chicken.

This simple recipe is perfect for first-time Cantonese cooks and is as tasty as take-out!

The ingredient list looks a bit intimidating, but this recipe is easy to throw together.

For the best texture, toss the chicken thigh chunks in seasoning and cornstarch before frying.

Serve with stir-fried peppers, pineapple, and onion with sauce over the top. 

5. Cantonese-Style Ginger Scallion Lobster

Talk about a show stopper! It doesn’t get better than fresh lobster cooked with scallions and ginger.

I know it sounds simple, but the flavors are anything but!

And if you’re nervous about cooking live lobster, don’t be. It’s easier than you think so long as you have a big enough pot.

That said, you can always buy pre-processed or frozen lobster to keep things simple.

6. Cantonese-Style Steamed Tofu

When cooked right, tofu is a delectable protein for meatless meals.

And this steamed tofu recipe showcases Cantonese flavors in the best way possible – and without any meat!

You’ll notice that this recipe has nearly identical ingredients to Cantonese steamed fish.

You’ll prepare it the same, too, just minus the fish!

The flavorful aromatics enrich the tofu to bring the dish to life. It’s a wonderful vegan dinner your whole family will love.

7. Hong Kong Fried Rice

Fried rice is the kind of quick and easy recipe I make on busy weeknights or when the pantry is running low.

With a few simple ingredients, you’ll have restaurant-style fried rice in no time!

You’ll need cold, day-old steamed rice for this. If you use fresh, it’ll turn soggy, so I always have some in the fridge ready to go.

Add in egg, veggies, and any protein you have on hand.

This recipe calls for shrimp, but you can use chicken, beef, or even tofu if you prefer. 

8. Salt and Pepper Shrimp

Shrimp scampi has some serious competition here!

These fried shrimp are just as easy and maybe even tastier than their butter-soaked cousins.

You’ll lightly season raw, shell-on shrimp before frying in hot oil.

Keeping the shell on during cooking guarantees the meat is as tender and juicy as possible.

Serve this as an appetizer or over rice for a main dish. 

9. Cantonese Chicken and Vegetable Stir Fry

Let’s be real: stir fry anything is bound to be tender, tasty, and a hit for busy nights. 

And this stir fry with veggies, chicken, and a simple sauce is all those things and more.

You’ll use cornstarch to thicken the sauce before serving. And feel free to use a frozen blend of stir fry veggies to make prep a breeze.

Just remember that frozen veggies have extra moisture, so you may need to use extra cornstarch to balance the liquid.

10. Cantonese Shumai

Though you may not recognize the name, Shao Mai is a typical pork dumpling you’ve likely had before. 

Stuffed with sticky rice and minced pork, they’re flavorful, filling, and so easy to make!

The minced meat also has mushrooms, scallions, and ginger mixed in, making it super tasty and tender.

You’ll need a dumpling steamer for this recipe, which you can find at your local Asian market or order online.

11. Char Siu

Char siu is a Cantonese-style BBQ pork recipe with a beautifully sweet, salty, and spicy balance. 

There’s no shortage of spices in this recipe, and each one is essential for delicious its flavor.

You’ll marinate and then roast the pork butt until it’s fork-tender. Then, serve over steamed rice, in ramen, or with steamed veggies. 

12. Cantonese-Style Zongzi

Zongzi (rice dumplings) are a traditional Cantonese recipe that takes many forms. This version is savory, sticky, and ideal for dinner.

You’ll roll peanuts, pork belly, and duck egg yolks into sticky sweet rice and steam it in a bamboo leaf. 

Bamboo leaves may be difficult to find depending on where you live. Try online, or just steam the dumpling ingredients in a bowl instead.  

13. Cantonese Chicken Egg Roll

Egg rolls are a Chinese take-out must-have. And while they’re more popular in American restaurants than Cantonese, they’re still super delicious.

This recipe includes bamboo shoots, shiitake mushrooms, and ground meat. Ironically, there isn’t any chicken in these chicken eggrolls.

Still, you won’t miss the chicken. And these are good enough to eat as a whole meal themselves!

14. Cantonese Instant Pot Braised Beef with Radish

If you only try one recipe on this list, make sure this is it! This Cantonese twist on pot roast is tender, tasty, and downright irresistible.

With hearty chunks of beef and radishes in a savory sauce, it’s filling, comforting, and so simple!

Use the sear function on your Instant Pot to bring the aromatics to life before adding the beef.

If you can’t find a beef rough flank, skirt steak is a great substitute.

15. Homemade Cheung Fun

Cheung fun is like a combination of steamed dumplings and egg rolls. They’re made in rice noodle wrappers and steamed to create a yummy hot meal.

This recipe has several fillings to try, with suggestions for pork, shrimp, and veggies.

However you fill them, they’re tender and tasty. 

Serve as an appetizer or as a cheung-FUN dinner!

16. Pork Rib Stew with Foo Jook and Chee Hou Sauce

Don’t get me wrong, I adore alow cooked, smoked pork ribs. But this oven-style rib stew definitely gives my smoker some competition!

Bean thread and pork rib tips are slow-cooked in an aromatic chee hou sauce. It’s much like a sweet BBQ sauce, only with an earthy undertone

Serve this easy rib stew with steamed rice and veggies. No promise your fingers will be clean after this meal! 

17. Char Siu Bao

Bao is a signature dish in Cantonese restaurants across the world.

In this case, char siu refers to the pork filling, while bao is the fluffy steamed bun. 

This char siu recipe gives some serious sloppy joe vibes, thanks to the sweet and savory sauce.

Stuff that into a steamed bun, and you’ve got a finger-food-friendly dinner!

18. Lo Mai Gai

Savory sticky rice dumplings are some of my favorite appetizers.

And while they’re not like traditional dumplings (i.e., encased in some kind of pastry), this recipe is beyond addictive.

This recipe has glutinous rice, chicken, sausage, and mushrooms in a savory sauce.

The well-seasoned ingredients come together while steaming in bowls. 

Because there are various steps to this recipe, it may seem like a lot to process. But you can steam in an Instant Pot for easier cooking. 

19. Roasted Braised Duck

This Cantonese-style braised duck is by far some of the best Chinese food you’ll ever have.

It takes a little bit more time to prepare, but it’s worth the wait in the end.

You’ll begin the cooking process in a wok with oil, then switch to a roasting pan to finish cooking the duck.

The incredibly flavorful meat is infused with goodness from the spices and the sauce, making every bite better than the last.

20. Turnip Cake

You know what they say, “Save the best for last!”

Despite the name, this is neither a cake (read: sweet) nor does it have turnips in the mix.

Instead, these savory rice dumplings are made with daikon radishes, mushrooms, and a tasty sauce.

The savory “cake” is steamed in a cake pan before frying individual pieces. That gives each one an incredible crispy edge.