Hi! I’m Wei, a self-taught cook from North-west China. Since moving to Europe, over a decade ago, I developed a passion for food and with three culinary fans of my own, I currently live in a red brick house (“Red House”) in England, where every recipe in this blog is enthusiastically developed and mindfully tested.
Why “Spice”? Simply because I can’t survive without spice, neither in food nor in life. Plus, even those who have little interest in food might know “Chinese Five-Spice”. So the word “Spice” may well give you a hint of the kind of cuisine I am sharing here.
I guess your next question could be “Why blogging?”. To be honest, writing a food blog is not an impulsive decision (even though I am rather impulsive when it comes to trying new things). I gave myself three solid reasons before I started this journey.
For the past. As I grow older, I realise more and more that all my inspiration and capacity for cooking comes from the influence of my parents who cooked every single meal from scratch (literally) in a tiny kitchen. They had a limited number of ingredients but this was outweighed by their great passion and imagination. They never intended to teach me how to cook but they always allowed me to play around the stove and to have the first taste of their scrumptious dishes. While living far away from them, I’ve been trying to reproduce those flavours from my childhood. Sharing those influences with you here is a great way to preserve their culinary legacy.
For the present. I love sharing, sharing every bit of joy in my life with family and friends. Eating the food I cook, they praise and then ask: but how to make it? Seeing the photo of a dish I make they praise and then ask: but where is the recipe? Increasingly, I realise that sharing is not just about feeding the people you love or showing them your achievement. SHARE is Show them How to Achieve then Recreate and Enjoy together. A blog provides the ideal platform to share and connect with others who have the same passion in life.
For the future. As I mentioned earlier, I have three culinary fans in the Red House. Fan No.1 praises every single dish I produce (that’s compulsory). It’s a bit trickier with fan No.2 and 3 since sometimes, without warning, they turn themselves into nasty little food critics. A bit annoying, but they do push me to be more imaginary with my ingredients. A few weeks ago, fan No.2 said to me in a serious tone: “I think you should WORK as a professional cook.” What a compliment! At least for now I can WRITE like a professional cook. Also, perhaps when they gain their independency, they might appreciate my blog as a handy recipe book whenever they crave authentic Chinese food.
Another good thing about developing this blog is that I feel like I’m getting my old job back. Before moving abroad, I worked as journalist in Beijing for nearly a decade. Back then I was part of a big team, now I’m on my own with more responsibility, but also with more independence and freedom.
OK! It’s time to make a start. Hope you enjoy walking through the journey with me.
Photo credit: Pei Jun
Ni hao Wei, I work with a group of Chinese women at a spa. They are always cooking in tiny kitchen consisting of an electric frying pan, induction cook top, and a small steamer. The dishes they produce are delicious indeed. Anyway, they have taught me the basics and at times have me to cook for them. As a male of European descent, I am always nervous about cooking for those ladies. However, I found your blog and recipes. Now I can cook good Chinese foods without the worry. You have become my secret weapon. Xiexie ni!
That’s wonderful to hear Todd! I’m honoured to be your “secret weapon” and I wish you a fun time exploring Chinese cuisine!
I love your recipes. I cooked already a lot of them and my family loves them. Actually your blog became my primary resource for Chinese recipes. I started to fall in love with Chinese cuisine when I was a kid and with my parents we went to a Chinese restaurant. Of cause that was quite adjusted to European taste but still the strange flavors caught my attention. Nowadays there are quite a few good Chinese restaurants in my home town Berlin, but I enjoy a kot to cook myself, with your help. I’m Olaf, 53, from Berlin, Germany. Thank you so much!!!
So happy to meet you here Olaf! Glad you find my recipes helpful. Wish you more fun time cooking Chinese food.
Hi, do u have a recipe for 8 treasure chicken/duck
No Maria. I haven’t shared one yet.
Hi Wei!
Gung Hay Fat Choy!
I was looking for a recipe for Char Siu Pork and I came across your site. I browsed through your other recipes and can’t wait to make some dishes. Coming from a Chinese family, no one wrote down recipes so I am trying to recreate some things. Thank you so much!!! And yes, you should put a cookbook together!!!
Welcome to my blog Donna! Hope my recipes will help you to connect with your heritage.
Hi Wei, thanks for the warm welcome to your authentic Chinese cuisine. My family and I love Asian foods. I love to cook some of them at home as well. When I saw the Red House Spice recipes, dishes I would love to eat, I saw subscribing to your blog as an opportunity to enjoy more of the Asian cuisine at home. Thank you for sharing your foods with the world.
It’s my great pleasure to share what I’m passionate about. Hope you’ll enjoy cooking with my recipes!
That’s Cantonese for Happy New Year. Wei comes from Northern China where they speak Mandarin so Happy New Year wishes would be Xin Nian Kuaile
Thank you John! Xin Nian Kuai Le/新年快乐 to you too. I know very little Cantonese but I definitely understand Gung Hay Fat Choy.
Hi Wei, I just wanted to say how much I love your site. I have tried quite a few of your recipes now and they are all great. I lived in Beijing for several years in the 1990s and I am always searching for authentic recipes. I love your NW recipes in particular! Thank you so much and wishing you and your family a HAPPY YEAR OF THE TIGER!
Happy New Year to you too Emma! So happy to hear you find my recipes helpful.
I tried your egg drop soup, it tastes great! I didn’t have the dried shrimp so I replaced it with dried anchovies instead. It came out fine too. Thanks and greetings from Singapore!
Yes, dried anchovies provide umami taste too. Glad you liked it!
Amazing blog! I will come back to read more.
Thanks for popping by Dilys! Hope you’ll find some inspiration on my blog.
Hi my name Jackie I’m from Springfield GA. Thanks for sharing your recipes with me.
You’re welcome Jackie! Happy to have you in our Red House Spice Chinese cooking community.
I am from Malaysia, just discovered your blog on the topic how to grow garlic sprouts.
Will try out your recipes
Welcome to RHS Chinese cooking community Adrienne! Hope you’ll find my recipes inspirational.
I for one, come from Italian roots. The man I am dating is 1/2 Chinese. As we were talking he mentioned how he missed his grandmother’s cooking. There are no cook books or written recipes.
I would love to help him find the tastes he remembers as a child growing up with his grandmother.
I don’t know what it would take from me but I sure am willing to try. Organic and real is what he is looking for.
I am a real good cook … but don’t know my way around a Chinese kitchen.
Lovely to hear you story Lee! Hope my blog will help you to make some Authentic Chinese food for your boyfriend. Happy cooking!
I’m sooooo happy to have found your blog. I’m excited and can’t wait to try your recipes. Everything looks delicious!
Welcome to Red House Spice community! Happy cooking!
I’mso happy to find your blog n would like to try some of your recipies. Thank you so much
You’re welcome Angela! Happy cooking!
Thank you Wei.
I love Chinese cuisine and I’m looking forward to a new adventure with you. I’ve just made Tomato Egg Drop Soup for my breakfast. Delicious !!!!
I’m Australian 🌞
My pleasure to share Penny! Tomato egg drop soup is very comforting as breakfast. Glad you’ve enjoyed!
Hello, canit wait to learn and cook your recipes in Chinese cuisine.
Welcome to the Red House Spice Chinese cooking community Vivian! Hope you find some inspirations here.
Hi! I just subscribed! I lived in Beijing 2006-2013. Also spent 2 months in Chengdu in 1983.
(Yes. I am ancient!)
Really enjoy your writing!!!
Welcome MaoZhou! Hope my recipes bring back your memories of life in China.
I am happy to find this blog! After so many years of being drawn to Chinese culture even preferring this cuisine though I’m Hispanic finally made sense to me this month! I just found out that my Great Great Grandfather was a Chinese immigrant who ran a restaurant in Mexico! My heart leapt and broke at the same time because everything that makes me who I am is from him, yet he was hidden, no traditions were passed down. I know where my love of cooking came from, now I’m on a mission to honor him by learning to cook recipes I can only imagine he would have made! Thank you for sharing your treasured recipes!!
Thank YOU Jazz for sharing this touching story! Your great great grandfather would be proud of you learning to cook Chinese food.
What an awesome story!
Hi – found your site looking for a xiaolongbao recipe. Had them in Macau and Hong Kong and we all loved them. Yours are absolutely the best instructions. I have a bamboo steamer but I haven’t used it yet as I’m not sure how to prepare it before first use. Could you please reply with instructions how to prepare the steamer
Thanks!!
Hi Judi! Before first use, simply rinse your bamboo steamer under warm water then leave to air fry naturally. Happy cooking!
Hi Wei
I would like to make chinese meat filled deep fried dumplings (called gai loong in cantonese) using glutinous rice flour, for a gathering. Would like to know if possible to make ahead and deep fried at the gathering. Can I fill and assemble and necessary to freeze. If so, need to defrost, and how long to deep fry. Thank you for your help.
elaine
Hi Elaine! I believe you’re talking about Ham Siu Gok/咸水角. I haven’t published a recipe for this dish. Food blogger Jeannette has a recipe. Go check it out!
I am vegetarian so I have eaten little Chinese food (little amounts of protein in almost everything means I can’t eat most of it!). So finding your exquisite recipes laid out so clearly has opened up the traditions an techniques of Sichuan food for me – not to mention the amazing flavours. I am very grateful.
Thanks for visiting my blog Ann! So happy to know you find my recipes helpful. Happy cooking!
Nice
Please write book; your insight is invaluable! I have gone through each and every one of your recipes; and just adore your approach and technique.
I like how you inform why I’m doing certain processes and why xxx
Truly best Asian recipe index I’ve come across.
With that I say; many thanks for the joy you have given me xxx
Anna.
Hi Anna! You kind message motivates me to work harder on my blog. Maybe one day I’ll be able to publish a cookbook. Thanks for your encouragement!
thank you for taking the time to tranform your cooking into recipes!
i came across your recipes looking for a moo shu pork recipe and found your scallion pancake recipe. its quite close to the dozens of others ive tried but yours is perfection❤ looking 4ward to next weekend when i can make a feast to bring & share w/ my co-workers on monday!
thank you again!
You’re welcome Malisa! Wish you a wonderful time cooking and sharing with your co-workers!
I am new and learning to cook Chinese dishes. I just watched your video beef broccoli. I love this vegetable so much. I just stumbled across your site and I like everything about it. My Chinese friends have their own touch on the way they cook and I want my own touch to share with them. Thank. you Wei
My pleasure Robert! Very happy to connect with you on my blog. Happy cooking!
I’m so happy to have found your site! Many of these dishes are ones that I remember from my childhood (chinese mother, swiss father). The recipes are so much easier to follow than my mom’s “little of this, some of that” instructions. Haha. My son has a keen interest in his Chinese heritage and a love for culinary arts. Your site has helped me share with him the dishes of my youth, but has also brought us closer through sunday’s spent in the kitchen together. Thank you for all your effort…your dishes make more than food..they make family.
My great pleasure! Cooking is definitely one of the best ways to bond with family. Enjoy you kitchen time with you son Anna!
Hi Wei,I’ve just subscribed
Please tell me what oil do you use for making chili oil
and what oils do you use for cooking?
Hi Alan! Chinese cooking calls for neutral cooking oil that doesn’t have a strong taste but a high smoking point, for example: peanut oil, sunflower oil, corn oil, vegetable oil, rapeseed oil, canola oil, etc. You can use any of the above to make chili oil. Happy cooking!
Hi Wei,
I found your website last night as I was searching how to make hand-pulled noodles. I’m so glad I found you! Your recipes are detailed, informative and not overwhelming. Also, I have to say that I really enjoy your writing style.
I look forward to delving deeper into your website and actually trying out some of your recipes – I think I will try dumplings soon as my “fans” like those very much!
Take care and stay safe!
Very happy to read your warm message Jessica! Wish you happy and fun time cooking for your “fans”!
你好 Wei! I came across your site looking for pork ideas online and decided to make your 鱼香肉丝 dish. I was thinking of a sliced pork with bean curd dish when I saw it, so thought it looked good. I know it wasn’t the same dish, but wanted to try it anyway. My husband and I enjoyed it! I then looked through your other recipes and can’t wait to try more! Thanks so much for sharing and keep up your love of cooking and sharing!
You’re welcome Laine! Very happy that you’ve enjoyed this dish. Happy cooking!
So, I shared the Snow Skin Mooncake recipe with my 17 yr old son. He was excited to try it. Bought the molds and ingredients, and set him loose. What he achieved was awesome; he did some green (matcha), some purple (yam), some with both. Wish I could figure out how to send a picture.
I’m a chef, and I enjoy receiving your recipes and tips. I like to explore different cuisines at home (and for family-meal at work when I get the chance), your blog has given new found knowledge and lent inspiration to that end. Thanks!
So happy to know my recipes work well for you. It’s my great pleasure to share my passion and knowledge.
Wei, I am loving your blog and your recipes. I am inspired to cook some of your recipes, especially the traditional sauces! I need your help!! I stumbled on your blog while trying to find a recipe for a sweet cucumber pickle that I recall from my childhood in Toronto, Canada. I am a third generation Canadian whose family came in the late 1800’s from Toi Shan region in Guong Zhou province. In other words, our family is rural Cantonese. When I was a child, we used to shop several times a year in Chinatown and bought pickles that we would eat with Congee. The pickles were skinny brownish shriveled cucumbers in sweet syrup and came in a square tin with a simple paper label in Chinese writing (I do not speak or write Chinese.) Later in life, popular Chinese food became available in local grocery stores but these specialty items are not featured. I have found similar looking cucumber pickles in glass jars but they are cooked with soy sauce and are salty, not sweet. We called them “Cha Gua” in our dialect but I suspect that just means pickled melon. Are you familiar with this sweet syrupy pickle? It is similar to Canton Ginger but not gingery. Could you suggest a source for a recipe? Haven’t had these for over 40 years and can’t find them anywhere.
Thank you very much Wendy for trying out my recipes! Pickled cucumber is very popular in many regions of China. Unfortunately, I’m not familiar with the one you’ve mentioned. I’ve just googled it in Chinese but didn’t find anything that fits what you are looking for.
Thank you for your quick response. Disappointed that the sweet pickle is unknown to you; it is very good with congee. We always make congee with the leftover turkey carcass at Thanksgiving and Christmas, and the pickle was a common condiment. I experimented this week, using a recipe similar to Canton Ginger but it was a failure. The results are like cucumber jam!! Taste is similar but texture is terrible. If I am successful in my quest, I will share it with you.
Hi Wendy! I’ve just received an email from a blog reader who has the answer to your question. I will email you the information on Cha Gua/茶瓜.
Wei, thank you for following up with my request and many thanks also to your blog reader who is sharing his recipe for Cha Gua. I am looking forward to trying the recipe and if successful, with sharing the pickle with my extended family. I appreciate your generosity in sharing your contacts and resources with the public. I will let you know how the pickles turn out. Blessings on both of you for your help. Sincerely, Wendy
Dear Wei,
I love your blog & your recipes! I was wondering if you have or could make a recipe for 麻辣牛肉汤面. I recently had this at a restaurant & I absolutely loved it.
Hi Lacreesha! I have a recipe for Spicy Beef Noodle Soup. You may try it and add some freshly ground Sichuan pepper when assembling the dish. Check out my post on “How to grind Sichuan pepper” if you’re interested.
Dear Wei,
Happy to discover your blog. I am living and working in Ningxia.
Making dumplings for the first time today with my Chinese girlfriend. Trying your recipes and directions.
Look forward to discovering all your recipes and surprising her with some in the future
Best,
Jeffrey
Hi Jeffrey! I’ve been to Ningxia quite a few times. Lovely people and great food. Enjoy your exploration of Chinese cooking!
Dear Wei,
I love your blog and your recipes!!!
I’ve been travelling in China various times and areas and I love Chinese food. Since my first trip there I don’t like “Chinese” food in German restaurants anymore – it’s always the same and has nothing to do with the “real” taste…..I will try the Sheng Jian Bao because I have a special relationship with Shanghai and the typical food there. Keep on rocking, I cannot wait to explore more and more recipes 🙂
Love
Dana
I totally understand your feeling Dana. It is quite difficult to find good Chinese food with the “real” taste outside China. Fortunately, we can recreate many dishes in our own kitchen which taste much better (and healthier too). Enjoy!
Hi Wei,
I came across your website while searching for a recipe for 葱油拌面 which I miss so much after living in China for 5 years. My husband wanted to recreate this simple Shanghai noodle dish and will use your recipe. I am thrilled that I found your website which has a wealth of information and recipes for so many more dishes that I remember eating when we lived in Shanghai and traveled throughout China! Thank you for being such an amazing resource!
Hi 美珍! Delighted to know you like my recipes. I can relate to your feeling. It’s always a great pleasure to recreate the dishes that you miss. Happy cooking!
This is an absolutely fantastic food blog. Have been cooking your recipes in a small cabin during covid (don’t always have all the ingredients!) and very impressed by the level of detail, authenticity, and flavor. Thank you so much and looking forward to going on one of your tours one day!
My great pleasure to share! Your kind words are much appreciated. Wish you a great time exploring Chinese food.
I remember my mother cooking in my family’s Chinese restaurant and growing up and being the Sioux chef. When she passed away I was 12 years old. I was looking for a recipe for zongzi and I found your Blog and I am thankful for your recipes. I look forward to trying all of them… thank you
Thank you so much Priscilla for sharing your story. I wish you a great time in the kitchen!
Hi Wei,
I am so impressed with your blog. I love to cook for my family and your recipes look amazing. I am looking forward to trying them out with my family. Keep up the inspiring work!!!
Best,
Cindy
Thank you so much Cindy for your kind words. Wish you a great time cooking for your family!
When I make the bao, dosa etc, they come out brownish color instead of white like the store brought. How do they make it so white?.also living in high altitude (3000) feet up in Arizona. The bao don’t rise, any suggestion. Don’t have a steamer, so I use a metal pot, it makes the baos very wet. Thax. It’s the 1st time I respond to blog. Thax
Lin from vietnam
Hi Lin! Here are my answers to your questions:
1. Shop bought baos are usually made of highly bleached, processed flour. If you really want a whiter look, try special bao flour sold in Chinese/Asian shops.
2. Please allow enough time for the second rise (after you shape the baos and before you steam them). There are some tips on this in my post “Steamed bao buns“.
3. I guess it was the water gathered inside your metal lid that fell on the baos. In this case, wrap the lid tightly with a tea towel or a piece of cloth that will absorb excess water from steaming.
Help this helps.
Your blog is great!!! I am looking forward to trying more and more recipes.
Cheers!
Thank you very much, Josh! Wish you a fun time in your kitchen!
I just discovered your blog while googling how to grow garlic sprouts and I can already tell it is going to be one of my favourite resources for Chinese cooking!
I used to live in Ningxia province and your recipes make me so homesick for China!
I can’t wait to try some of these recipes out!
Thank you Clementine for visiting my blog! Ningxia is a lovely place where you would find many yummy dishes similar to the cuisine of my home province Gansu. Happy cooking!
Hi I just came across your lovely blog and was first inspired by your aubergine recipe – I love aubergines and then by your broccoli and prawns – broccoli being considered one of the healthiest vegetables!
Anyway thank you for all the work that goes into sharing these delicious meals.
Victoria
Ps I live by a very similar stretch of river – nothing quite like a beautiful view! I hope you really enjoy your home in Bedford.
Thank you so much Victoria for trying out my recipes and taking your time writing a lovely message.
I enjoy my life in Bedford but I do miss all the lovely food in China.
Thank you so much for the Mapo Tofu recipe, i was crawing it so hard, back in the time, when i was in Heifei.
Mine wasn’t exact same and perfect, but loved it anyway, its my favorite dish, thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe. Have a good one
You are more than welcome Ian. I’m so happy to hear that you’ve tried my recipe. Thank you for your appreciation. Happy cooking!
Hi Wei,
Recently i’m coming back from Beijing for travelling. I had a chance to taste this Guber Water Town Pear at Simatai Great Wall. A steam pear is put in this aluminium (if i am not mistaken) cup with lid. Eaten it while hot.
Very refreshing since its winter and you know what, I love it very much!! Never taste and found this dessert before.
When coming back to my hometown, i googled for the recipe, and found your blog on “Pear with Rock Sugar”. I assume it quite similar with the steam pear i eaten at Great Wall.
I bought some wolfberry/goji berries there as well.
Can’t wait to try your recipe! Your other recipe is also interesting.Can’t wait to try it also!!!
Thanks very much for sharing!!
Hi Wanie! It’s my great pleasure to share! I know exactly what you are talking about as I bought the same thing in Gubei Water Town last summer on the same spot. Loved it (and the cute enamel cup as a souvenir)! You are right. The idea is same as my steamed version of “Pear with rock sugar” (The only difference is that the Gubei ones are baked in the oven). It’s now the best season to serve this warming dessert (Actually I’m making some for my dinner party guests tonight). Anyway, happy cooking and have a great new year!
Dear Wei, I would like to try your mantou recipe. May I ask:
1. Is the mantou dough same as Bao dough?
2. Can I add 老面 to the mantou dough? If yes, how much can I add? Do I hv to adjust raising time?
Thank you.
Both Mantou and Bao use Chinese style leavened dough. I have introduced three types using different ingredients and proofing methods. You can find them in these posts: Mantou, Steamed Bao Bun and Red Bean Buns. They are all interchangeable. Give them a try to see which one you like the most.
You can use 老面 to replace instant dry yeast. but I cannot recommend an exact quantity as each piece of 老面 acts differently. The proofing time may vary so you just have to observe closely and decide when it’s ready.
Thank you. I will give them a try.
你好，禾慕！我通过Fackbook来到你的博客看了一轮，做得很漂亮！详细介绍每一样菜，照片美轮美奂，每一个步骤拍下来加上后期的制作一定很花费时间！我最后两次做姜汁撞奶都失败了，下次要试一下你的方子。
Wing，你好！很高兴在我的博客看到你！谢谢夸奖！的确要花很多时间和精力，但成就感也很强。做自己喜欢和擅长的事，乐趣无穷！你的厨艺也很棒，咱们保持联系多交流！
Wei, I’ve enjoyed reading about your travels and love the recipes! I’m a food/fitness/health blogger – and am crazy about eggs, breakfast, veggies and FIOD!! ?
Thanks Angie for stopping by! Hope you will find something that you’d like to try. Have a great day!
I AM SREEDEVI BINOY.INDIAN.STARTED READING YOUR BLOG TODAY.LIKE IT..ENJOYING.THANK YOU DEAR
You are welcome Sreedevi!
Dear Wei,
I am new to your blog and love Chinese food. Many of my Chinese Taiwanese and Malaysian friends have initiated me into their way of cooking. But I too have my fan club and critiques and the recipes I have tries – Chilli oil (I made a few modifications – like adding fennel to complement the anise flavour, or fried tofu). Will be trying out the classic pork and chive dumplings too.
Thank you for doing this.
Jyoti
You’re welcome Jyoti! Enjoy your kitchen adventure!
Hi Wei! I’m so elated to have stumbled across your recipes! I love cooking international foods the best & love that your dishes are authentic! About 12 years ago I would meet people like you from other countries & invite them to my home to teach me how to cook an authentic meal from their country! Then I compiled all the recipes into my own little cookbook! It’s been so fun reading & thumbing through all your recipes! I feel as though you are in my home teaching me! Thank you for your amazing time in creating & capturing these recipes! 😘💕
You’re welcome Ashley! Your cookbook must be an amazing source for authentic homemade food from different cultures. Very happy to be part of your “collection”. Enjoy your time in the kitchen!
do you have a cookbook of your recipes for sale or download
Hi Alan! I haven’t put together a cookbook yet. Hope one day I’ll be able to produce one. Thank you very much for your support!