Its a secret ingredient that makes recipes truly taste like what you get at Chinese restaurants.
Shaoxing Wine is used in practically every single Chinese recipe Ive shared because its key ingredient!
What is Shaoxing Wine?
Shaoxing wine is a bang out of Chinese cooking wine, and is alternatively spelt Shao-hsing or Shaohsing wine.
Remember Shaoxing wine is designed for cooking and not for drinking!
You just know itsbetter!
These wines bring a similar depth and complexity to sauces.
But for those whocanconsume alcohol, I really urge you to use one of the alcoholic substitutes above.
You will thank me!
Pictured:Chop Suey / Chicken Stir Fry
What is Shaoxing rice wine used for?
Its also used in noodle recipes such asChow Mein, and soup broths, likeWonton SoupandChinese Corn Soup.
And the fillings for dumplings, likeWontonsandPotstickers.
Pictured:Chow Mein
Is Shaoxing wine safe for children to consume?
Chinese Cooking Wine usually has an alcohol content of between 15 20%.
Because stir fries are cooked quickly, the alcohol content does not necessarily fully evaporate.
And you certainly cannot taste it!
Certainly in all the take out favourites!
It costs a whopping $2 per bottle and will make 40 or 50 stir fries.
Ive used others and not noticed a difference.
Chinese Cooking Wine is also now sold in supermarkets here in Australia.
A brand calledPandaroo(above left bottle) which is perfectly adequate though more expensive than real Chinese brands!
How to store Shaoxing wine
Shaoxing wine does not need to be refrigerated once opened.
Just keep it in your pantry and it keeps for years!
Check the expiry date on your bottle.
Pictured:Egg Fried Rice
I hope thats helped to answer some questions you mightve had about Shaoxing Wine!
Youll find that I use Chinese cooking wine in virtually every Chinese recipe on my site.
Ive popped a list of some of the most popular ones below!
