Cantonese cuisine is renowned for its delicate flavors, fresh ingredients, and diverse cooking methods. Whether you’re new to Chinese cooking or an enthusiast of traditional dishes, this list of classic Cantonese recipes will take you on a culinary journey through the heart of Guangdong.

1. Sweet and Sour Pork (糖醋里脊)

A hallmark of Cantonese cuisine, Sweet and Sour Pork combines crispy pork bites with a perfect balance of tangy and sweet flavors.

Ingredients:

• Pork tenderloin
• Pineapple chunks
• Green and red bell peppers
• Vinegar, ketchup, and sugar
• Cornstarch

Instructions:

1. Cut the pork into bite-sized pieces, coat in cornstarch, and deep-fry until golden.
2. Stir-fry the bell peppers and pineapple in a wok.
3. Prepare the sauce by mixing vinegar, ketchup, and sugar.
4. Combine the fried pork with the vegetables and sauce, and stir-fry until everything is well-coated.

2. Steamed Fish with Ginger and Scallions (清蒸鱼)

This dish highlights the freshness of the fish with minimal seasoning, making it one of the simplest yet most authentic Cantonese dishes.

Ingredients:

• Fresh whole fish (like grouper or sea bass)
• Ginger
• Scallions
• Soy sauce

Instructions:

1. Place the fish on a steaming plate, topped with ginger and scallions.
2. Steam for 10-15 minutes until fully cooked.
3. Pour hot oil and soy sauce over the fish before serving.

3. Char Siu (叉烧)

Char Siu, or Cantonese barbecued pork, is famous for its savory-sweet glaze and tender texture.

Ingredients:

• Pork shoulder
• Hoisin sauce
• Honey
• Chinese five-spice powder
• Soy sauce

Instructions:

1. Marinate the pork overnight with hoisin sauce, honey, soy sauce, and five-spice powder.
2. Roast in the oven, basting occasionally with the marinade until caramelized and tender.

4. Cantonese Roast Duck (广式烧鸭)

This aromatic roast duck is known for its crispy skin and juicy meat.

Ingredients:

• Whole duck
• Five-spice powder
• Maltose
• Soy sauce

Instructions:

1. Rub the duck with five-spice powder and let it marinate for several hours.
2. Blanch the duck in boiling water, then coat with maltose syrup.
3. Roast until the skin is crispy and the meat is tender.

5. Clay Pot Rice (煲仔饭)

Clay Pot Rice is a comforting dish that combines rice, Chinese sausage, and salted fish in one pot, with crispy edges and rich flavors.

Ingredients:

• Rice
• Chinese sausage (lap cheong)
• Salted fish
• Soy sauce

Instructions:

1. Cook rice in a clay pot, adding slices of Chinese sausage and salted fish on top.
2. Once the rice is done, drizzle soy sauce over it and allow the bottom layer to crisp.

6. Wonton Soup (云吞汤)

Wonton Soup is a staple in Cantonese kitchens, offering light and flavorful dumplings in a savory broth.

Ingredients:

• Ground pork and shrimp
• Wonton wrappers
• Chicken broth
• Soy sauce and sesame oil

Instructions:

1. Mix the pork and shrimp with soy sauce and sesame oil, and wrap in wonton wrappers.
2. Cook the wontons in boiling water until they float.
3. Serve in a light chicken broth with chopped scallions.

7. Stir-Fried Beef with Broccoli (西兰花炒牛肉)

A well-loved dish, this combination of tender beef and fresh broccoli is quick, healthy, and delicious.

Ingredients:

• Beef slices
• Broccoli
• Oyster sauce
• Garlic

Instructions:

1. Blanch the broccoli and set aside.
2. Stir-fry the beef slices with garlic and oyster sauce.
3. Add the broccoli back into the wok and toss everything together.

8. Dim Sum: Shrimp Dumplings (虾饺)

Har Gow (shrimp dumplings) are a must-have in any dim sum experience.

Ingredients:

• Shrimp
• Tapioca starch
• Wheat starch
• Sesame oil

Instructions:

1. Mix the shrimp with sesame oil and seasonings.
2. Make the translucent dough using tapioca and wheat starch.
3. Fill the dough with shrimp and steam until translucent.

9. Lobster with Ginger and Scallions (姜葱龙虾)

A luxurious dish perfect for special occasions, this lobster dish bursts with flavor.

Ingredients:

• Lobster
• Ginger
• Scallions
• Soy sauce

Instructions:

1. Sauté ginger and scallions in a hot wok.
2. Add lobster pieces and stir-fry until cooked through.
3. Season with soy sauce and serve hot.

10. Stir-Fried Noodles with Soy Sauce (豉油皇炒面)

This simple noodle dish is full of umami and makes for a perfect quick meal.

Ingredients:

• Egg noodles
• Soy sauce
• Bean sprouts
• Scallions

Instructions:

1. Blanch the noodles and stir-fry with soy sauce, bean sprouts, and scallions.
2. Serve immediately with a drizzle of sesame oil.

Cantonese cuisine is all about letting the natural flavors shine while balancing texture, taste, and aroma. Whether you’re cooking for a family meal or a special gathering, these recipes will help you bring a taste of Guangdong into your kitchen.