What is wok hei in Chinese food?

 Wok hei in Chinese food


What is wok hei in Chinese food?


What Is Wok Hei?

That trademark smoky flavor associated with wok cooking doesn't come from a smoky ingredient; it is created by wok hei. When translated into English, wok hei means "breath of the wok", and it describes the effect that causes the wok to flame up. 

The flame produces caramelization and the Maillard reaction. This happens because the oil from the wok drips down into the open flame when tossed, causing a flare-up that comes into direct contact with the ingredients.

This is important because... If you want your next stir-fry to taste as good as the kind you get from your neighborhood Chinese restaurant, then you're going to need a good wok.

Woks have been used by Chinese chefs for more than 3,000 years. They were originally designed because their unique shape allowed cooks to fry food while using less oil. They've stuck around though for their versatility and the delicious flavor of the wok hei. #Michelin states that wok hei translates to 'wok's breath' and is used to describe the flavors and scents that can only come from properly using a wok.

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What Is a Wok?

A wok is a deep, bowl-shaped frying pan with sloping sides that distributes heat evenly. With strong Asian roots, the wok dates back to the Chinese Han dynasty. Traditionally it is a round-bottomed, high-walled pan, although flat-bottomed versions are gaining popularity as they can be used on standard ranges. It is commonly designed with either two side handles or one long handle.

What Is a Wok Used For?

While most commonly used for stir-frying, a wok has many uses. Since it is deep it can be filled with water and used to boil foods or filled with oil for deep frying. When paired with wood chips and a rack, a wok can be used as a smoker for meats and cheeses. If you have a lid for the wok, then it can also be used for steaming vegetables or seafood.

Why Use a Wok?

A wok, as opposed to a traditional frying pan, distributes heat evenly. This occurs because of the concave shape with sloping sides, as well as the material used to make woks. With better heat distribution you receive fewer hot/cold spots and ensure that everything in the wok finishes cooking at the same time. Also, because of its shape, tossing food such as stir fry is easy.

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