Comfort Chinese Food Meal Prep

Let’s dive into some comfort Chinese food meal prep. Some of the best comfort food in the world comes from China and that by itself is a broad statement. China has multiple regions with unique cuisines that bring in different ingredients, flavors, and preparations. From the fragrant broths of Cantonese soups to the umami-packed stir-fries of Sichuan, get prepared for some of the best comfort food in the world.

If you’re not used to Chinese food cooking, don’t worry. We are here to provide the basics and a place to start. Meal prep can be fun and adventurous and you should definitely try it out. There are tons of dishes for any nutritional plan and the variety in flavors can dramatically change your meal routine.

Do your grocery shopping early if you are not sure about the availability of these ingredients. You may find yourself hitting a few stores before you find everything but once you’re used to it, it’ll go much faster. 

Key Ingredients in Comfort Chinese Food Meal Prep

A good place to start, especially if you’re not as familiar with Chinese food cooking. These base ingredients will provide you with a lot of options in recipes. You may even have some of these ingredients in the pantry or fridge already. If you don’t have them, most grocery stores will carry most of these, otherwise look for an international or Asian grocery store or shop online. (You should go to an Asian grocery store if you’re near one, they’re very cool and will have unique ingredients that’ll inspire you)

Rice: There are many types of rice in the world and in China alone. These basic types of rice will carry you far though.

• Long-Grain Rice: Jasmine rice
• Good for fried rice, stir-fry dishes, and it’s all around delicious.
• Medium-Grain Rice: Calrose rice
• Good for steamed rice and it’s versatile so it can work with a lot of Asian recipes as well as western recipes.
• Short-Grain Rice (Sticky Rice): Sweet rice
• Good for dishes like zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), lo mai gai (sticky rice with chicken), and sweet rice desserts.

Noodles: Just like the rice, there are many different types of noodles in Chinese cuisine but these basics will cover you in a lot of situations, especially for the types of recipes you’re likely to tackle.

• Wheat Based Noodles
  • Egg Noodles
  • Use these noodles for dishes like chow mein, lo mein, and wonton noodle soup.
  • Hand-Pulled Noodles (Lamian)
  • Ideal for dishes like beef noodle soup or stir-fried hand-pulled noodles.
  • Shanghai Noodles
  • Popular in stir-fried noodle dishes like Shanghai-style stir-fried noodles.
• Rice Noodles
  • Vermicelli (Rice Stick Noodles)
  • Common in soups (pho, though Vietnamese, is similar), spring rolls, and stir-fries like chow fun.
  • Wide Rice Noodles (Ho Fun)
  • Perfect for stir-fried dishes like beef chow fun or soups.
  • Rice Noodle Sheets
  • Used in dim sum dishes like cheung fun (steamed rice noodle rolls).
• Glass Noodles (Cellophane Noodles)
• Often used in hotpots, stir-fries, or salads.

• Soy Sauce: Adds umami and depth to dishes. Look for low sodium Soy Sauce for better nutrition
• Ginger and Garlic: Aromatic bases that support digestion and immunity. These are incredibly important staples in Chinese cooking so be prepared to use them often.
• Vegetables: Bok choy, Chinese broccoli, and napa cabbage are common, offering fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants.
• Protein Sources: Tofu, pork, chicken, and fish are frequently used, delivering high-quality protein and essential nutrients. There are great lean protein options throughout Chinese recipes making it great for healthy meal prepping.
• Spices and Sauces: Ingredients like Sichuan peppercorns, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and fermented black beans create robust, distinctive flavors. These may be harder to find but an Asian grocery store or website should have them.

Styles of Comfort Chinese Food

Chinese comfort food comes in a variety of regional styles, each with unique flavors and textures. This is only scratching the surface but we had to pick our favorites. These are all great choices when you’re looking for comfort food but not fried chicken and mashed potatoes. This food will warm your body and soul and excite your taste buds like no other cuisines.

Cantonese Comfort Food

Cantonese style food is known for its balanced approach to flavors, ingredients, and nutrition. Light and fresh foods prepared with more mild seasonings, to let the flavors of the core ingredients to come through, sets this cuisine apart from the others. These more raw natural flavors can be easier on you and can make a great choice for lunches..

Cantonese Steamed Fish (清蒸鱼)

Light, healthy, and delicately flavored, this dish is a classic comfort food in Cantonese cuisine.

Cantonese Char Siu (叉烧 – BBQ Pork)

Sweet, sticky, and savory, char siu is a quintessential comfort food for many Cantonese families.

Cantonese Congee (粥)

Warm, soft, and soothing, congee is a staple comfort dish, especially during cold weather or when feeling unwell.

Sichuan Comfort Food

Sichuan comfort Chinese food meal prep is famous for its bold and spicy flavors. The chili and peppercorns used throughout the recipes will light a bit of a fire in your mouth. You can adjust to your personal tastes. These are great lunch and dinner recipes to warm you up and wake you up with the heat.

Mapo Tofu (麻婆豆腐)

Rich, spicy, and numbing, this dish combines tender tofu with a flavorful sauce that feels like a warm hug on a cold day.

Dan Dan Noodles (担担面)

This spicy noodle dish features a luscious sesame sauce, chili oil, and savory minced meat that clings to every strand of noodle.

Sichuan Twice-Cooked Pork (回锅肉)

This dish features tender pork belly stir-fried with spicy and savory flavors, creating a hearty meal that pairs perfectly with rice.

Northern Chinese Comfort Food

Northern Chinese comfort food meal prep will be more hearty and carb-focused. This makes it perfect for keeping you full and warm throughout the day. 

Beef and Lamb Dumplings (牛肉或羊肉饺子)

Handmade dumplings are a quintessential Northern Chinese comfort food, enjoyed during family gatherings or as a warm meal on cold days.

Hand-Pulled Noodles (拉面)

These chewy, handmade noodles are the epitome of Northern Chinese comfort food and pair well with savory broths or stir-fries.

Shanghai Comfort Food

Comfort Chinese food meal prep in the Shanghai style will be sweet and savory, emphasizing braising and slow-cooked dishes with rich flavors. Truly some of the best food you will ever taste.

Shanghai Braised Pork Belly (红烧肉)

This iconic dish is tender, melt-in-your-mouth pork belly glazed in a sweet and savory soy-based sauce, perfect for pairing with steamed rice.

Shanghai Scallion Oil Noodles (葱油拌面)

This simple yet flavorful noodle dish is tossed with fragrant scallion-infused oil and a touch of soy sauce for a quick, satisfying meal.

Shanghai Soup Dumplings (小笼包)

These delicate steamed dumplings filled with juicy pork and broth are the ultimate comfort food, delivering a burst of flavor in every bite.

Prep Yo Self Comfort Chinese Food Meal Prep Recipes

We’ve taken our own approach to classic Chinese recipes that are a little easier to do in the states and are a little more nutritious. (lower sodium and sugar) If you don’t know where to start, try one of our recipes to get you going.