The Key to Chinese Cooking (Hardcover)

by Irene Kuo (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Illus. throughout. 6 1/8 x 9 1/4.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 532 pages
• Publisher: Random House Value Publishing (February 17, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517148897
• ISBN-13: 978-0517148891
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #538,865 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely the Best Chinese Cookbook Ever Written, June 5, 2004

By	Hayford Peirce (Tucson, AZ United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Key to Chinese Cooking (Hardcover)

The eleven other reviews of this remarkable book (as of early June, 2004) all give this book 5 stars, an equally remarkable achievement. As one of those eleven people said, this is truly the Julia Child of Chinese cookbooks. I've been using it now since 1978 and there are still hundreds of recipes I haven't tried because the ones that I *have* cooked are so wonderful that I go back to them time after time. Most of the recipes are reasonably simple, with ingredients that can be found in even the most modest Asian market, or even in a Safeway these days, but some of them are a lot easier to make if you live in San Francisco (as I did for a number of years) and can find *everything* she calls for without undue trouble.

If I were marooned for life on a well-stocked desert island, this would be one of my two cookbooks, Julia being the other one. As wonderful as Italian food is, and as great as Marcella Hazen's Italian cookbook is, Chinese cuisine (with its many regional diversities) is far richer and with far more subtleties -- only French cuisine is its equal. Haunt the used book stores, or on-line sources, and try to get this unparalleled book.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear Directions and Authentic Recipes, June 26, 2000

By A Customer

I bought this book 20 years ago, the year I moved out on my own. I'm disappointed that I can't buy a new copy, plus a copy for each of my daughters (both born in China); it's hard to believe such a fantastic cookbook is out of print. Ms. Kuo not only offers many unusual and authentic recipes I've never seen elsewhere (e.g., Winter Melon Soup cooked and served in the carved Melon, and the best Steamed Pork Buns I've ever had), her directions are exceptionally clear, and she explains each technique and how each dish is traditionally served. And don't miss the explanation of how to cook Peking duck (including using a bike pump to make the skin crispy!)

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the best chinese cookbook you will ever see., February 6, 2000

By A Customer

My husband is from China, he tells me I cook like his mother now. The copy I have is old and broken I've used it so much. I was hoping to get another copy. It's a great cookbook. Cooking techniques and recipes are explained in depth. There is also a glossary of ingredients so you can figure out what something is and where to buy it.