The wok is one of the most iconic pieces of kitchen equipment in Asian cuisine. This versatile utensil is used for a variety of cooking techniques, from sautéing to steaming. It is typically made of cast iron, which is known for its heat retention and durability. However, there are many different sizes and materials available, so it's important to do your research and find the best wok for your kitchen.
Woks are incredibly multifunctional and can be used for almost any type of cooking, including frying, sautéing, roasting, steaming, stewing, braising, and even boiling. When it comes to stir-fries, you can use any regular utensil you have lying around (made of wood or metal). However, for dishes like fried rice or glutinous rice cakes that can stick to the wok, it's useful to have a sturdy metal spatula that can scrape the tasty bits from the bottom of the pan and handle large quantities of food with a single movement. Cooking sticks are also great for catching food that can't be easily removed from a wok or steaming pot, such as noodles and individual pieces of food.
Plus, this pan is so versatile and conducts heat so well that you can cook the perfect stir fry in it. To get the best results, use a skillet like the Oberon series 12-inch Oberon pan with a premium non-stick coating, a large cooking area, and excellent heat distribution. For home cooks who don't want to invest in a full-sized wok, a half-leaf pan is the perfect size for many uses. You can find these pans online or at your local Asian store. Cooking Chinese food doesn't require a ton of special kitchen utensils; you probably already have most of them.
The Asian-style wok spatula has a sharper edge and a crooked design that helps turn food over and makes it easier to move it to a plate. Leftover sautéed vegetables or sautéed chicken are great to add to fried rice and result in another excellent Asian dish.
