Why doesn't homemade Chinese food taste like it does in a restaurant?

Answer 1

I would guess its because you can't get a skillet as hot as the cooks can get a wok in a commercial kitchen. They have those huge gas burners on the big ranges.
I've cooked in a wok at home and my range barely gets things to brown. Most stuff gets watery and boils rather than fries.
So you don't get that carmelization or that crispness that they do.

Answer 2

As one of my instructors in school once said when asked by a fellow student " How do you make good Chinese food at home ? You don't "
The reason that you don't is that you can't generate the same amount of heat that a commercial wok burner does. So what happens is that you sweat rather than stir fry the product.
There is however a great and inexpensive solution to this problem. Chinese restaurant supply stores carry what is called a wok jet burner. It is a massive cast single burner that attaches directly to a propane gas bottle and generates phenomenal amounts of heat. Just remember to use them in well ventilated areas and keep away from anything combustible, But you can definitely get pro quality results by using them.

Answer 3

If you know how to cook it, it will taste pretty good. Maybe not exactly the same, but then again they are most likely using their own recipee that they wont share. The more you cook something the better you get at it. I have have plenty of chinese food cooked at home that tastes like you would get at a restaurant, just not exactly the same as my usual favorite restuarant. Usually the difference is in the cooking techniques. You need a good gas stove first. Electric ones stink for cooking anything IMO. Also I have found that most people don't know how to properly cook rice like you get in a chinese restuarant which in my opinion can change the whole taste of the dish it accompanies.

Answer 4

because they use more salt and more sauce on they food.. and It health to eat chinese food at home then outside because of the msg.. hey have.. they have to make good so that people would go there and order again or eat there again.

If u wanted to have restaurant style food you would need to buy some of the stuff at the store.. The stuff they use in the kitchen.. and they all use fresh stuff..
You should try to go buy the sauce for the food you wanted to cook and they pans and all are different the our kitchen at home... That why it restaurant

Answer 5

Homemade Chinese means controlling the grease and not watching the new old boss cook only with oil and salt because he is so stingy he has to save on spices and seasonings. I like cilantro, curry, vinegars, soya sauce, plum sauce with sambuca, onion, gingerroot, garlic, cumin, coriander, sherry, whiskey and other stuff mixed together for Chinese food. Flavour not oil, MSG and salt.

Answer 6

ii think that grease has something to do with the fact that chinese food taste better in restaurants

Answer 7

hmmm. maybe your using the wrong breed of dog? no seriously, I love chinese food, but there ain't no way your gonna duplicate the excellence of take out, when that chef is making this food like all day every day and is a pro. Besides, why make your own when it is so much cheaper and easier (not to mention tastier and mucho less cleanup) to call the takee outee?

Answer 8

commercial chinese kitchens uses high pressure stoves.. it adds the 'wok hei' (cantonese) meaning the high heat from the wok.. also.. they get ingredients that are sold only to commercial restaurants..

Answer 9

they use more oil, starches, and MSG even though they claim not to