What home cooked meal will "WOW" a Chinese woman?

[archer86]

I've been offering home cooked meals to the Chinese students at my college, both guys and gals. Normally I would make something simple such as spaghetti or chicken with noodles and gravy. In a few days, I will have a pair of women over who are close to my age and wish to impress them so well, one of them MIGHT want me as a boyfriend. A long shot I assure you but the main goal is to make something special this time. I am not good with Chinese dishes, specializing in beef, chicken, pastas and chocolate stuff such as cakes and the like.

Any suggestions?

Updates

+1 y

I decided with beef stew: red potatoes, carrots, fresh green beans, green onions(diced) and mushrooms. Fresh baked bread right out of the oven(in THIS HEAT?) and noodles. If there's any clean dishes left...triple chocolate cake.

[happy_drifter]

In China, houses generally do not have ovens, only stoves. So anything that is baked or roasted as opposed to fried, boiled or steamed will be a novelty for them.

I'm living in China now and I have made western food for some chinese friends a few times, what I have learnt is that generally, Chinese do not like strong, new flavours, eg olives, fancy cheeses etc, so its best to stick to a flavour that they are already familiar with, or not too strong.

Also, Chinese tend to think that all Westerners eat only junk all the time, so they will be very impressed if you throw in plenty of vegies (especially greens) and make it healthy.

If you are any good with roasts, this will be a good idea, but don't be surprised if they look for rice with it! lol

In China, its unusual to eat vegetables raw, so I'm not sure how they will react to salad...

If they are getting homesick, find what type of food is eaten in their hometown. Food varies a lot all over China, so if you decide to make a Chinese dish, it may be best to find out what part of China that dish comes from, because it might be completely different to what they are used to. If you know their hometown, google it to find out what local dishes are like.

As a general guide. Northern areas tend to eat more noodles, Chinese style bread and salty food. West eat hot and South eat sweet.

BUT they are Chinese, they can cook Chinese style, a good home made western meal will be more special to them!

[LizTheWeirdKid]

Aww man! Where do you teach so I can be in your class? Haha :D

No but I think its a good idea. You should make her a dish you're familiar with. Maybe a dish that's special to you so she can know more about you.

[TheUglyOne]

I agree with your suggestion.

[archer86]

Hmm, in that case, it's beef stew with buttered french bread and chocolate cake. All homemade

[TheUglyOne]

It all depends on which part of China she is from, people in different regions have different cuisines and thus different preferences, although baozi (the dumpling) is commonly eaten throughout all of China.

But, if your at a point with her where you can invite her to your home (that's a big thing and an honor in China and other Asian countries), she'll appreciate the work and effort of you cooking for her. And that she's travelled to the US suggests she will be open to trying foods from other countries. The something special you want to make would be the dishes you are best at, and make them your best that night. Both women will like you were a good host.

[Frostie]

Before you make sea food or something, ask them what type of foods they eat, so you don't waste your time/money. Further, ask them what their favorite type of food is, so you have a shot at making something really awesome. Just because they're asian, don't assume they like Asian food, unless they are FROM asia. Just some word of advice. I'm white and I like enchiladas, which is considered 'mexican food'. That doesn't mean I eat Roast beef, cottage pie, or anything like that cause I've got an English Surname. Although I'd go at it without assumption. Your guess is as good as mine.

[Frostie]

Also I like to point out, if they are Asian and from Asia, you might want to introduce them to something different, I mean, who want to leave the country their from to only eat the same kind of foods to their destination of travel? Just sayin' and throwing some ideas out there. Hope I helped.

Good luck.

[visual]

Yep, this. I doubt there would be a lot of Asians from Asia (or whom have lived there many years) that can appreciate Western cuisine (might be able to get away with chocolate dessert).

And QA if you want to know what they crave, if they have a westernized background, anything Western is probably craved *hands up*.

[3336PS]

hahaah, I am chinese...hummm...steam fish my favorite. it is very easy...here is a simple and healthy meal...i will be good for 4-6 people.

white rice...ease (ask if you still need help)

1. any green leafy veg. e.g.. spinach

oil, garlic - heat pan, add oil and garlic. stir spinach for a few minuets. don't over cook. add a pinch of salt

2. steam fish - any flounder or any kind you like.

1 sliced ginger, 2 oil, 3 salt, 4 scallion, 5 sauce

clean fish, place on plate

add 1,2, 3

steam for about 10-15

add 4,5 steam for another mint.

done - enjoy

[PoeticNinja]

That sounds so good.

[3336PS]

are you familiar with those dishes?

[archer86]

I don't have a steamer. Will grilled fish do?

[3336PS]

just put about an inch of water in a pot, place plate in. grill will be fine...don't over cook, other wise fish will get too tough.

[lace1228]

Try a ceaser salad, eggplant paramsan with garlic bread followed by a chocolate cake with chocolate butter cream icing with fresh raspberry on top.

Or

A garden salad with dried cranberries and almond slivers with a nice vinaigrette dressing. Lazy cabbage rolls. Fry up some hamburger meat, onions, garlic add a can of mushroom soup make your rice and cabbage add all together with another can of mushroom soup and same dessert

[archer86]

I don't know about salads, but I am a master at chocolate cakes. I use dutch cocoa mixes, sometimes belgians for both the batter and the frosting. Boxed cakes just don't compare.

For the record, you look marvelous! Absolutely marvelous.

[lace1228]

Thank you, :)I'm sure whatever you make will turn out great

[goldgunsgirls]

Definitely go with something YOU like. They're Chinese. They have enough Chinese food already. They're not going to your place to have more Chinese food. They want something different. (Including but not limited to something you may be possessing down there ;) .)

[goldgunsgirls]

@Update: That. Sounds. Amazing.

[may04]

I've made some really yummy stuff off the Olive Garden website. link

I know Italians will tell you it's not 'real' Italian food, but it's pretty freakin delicious and will look a little fancier than your typical meals. BTW: I made the chicken marsala, with the roasted potatoes and everyone loved it!

[AskMe15]

Usually they eat fish, chicken, fried noodles, perhaps a dish with shrimps <3. When you make the dish, try to make it smell really good by adding sauce. Don't make it too salty, and especially not too sweet (Chinese people dislike extremely sweet stuff).

Hope this helped. I'm Chinese too :3

[visual]

Butter herbal prawn ;)

[visual]

How about satay? Everyone likes those right? It better have tonnes of flavor/spices. You could also make sang choi bao or some duck dish or steamed fish.. yum yum.

[johari]

Maybe a non American dish so it reminds them on home.what about a dish with pork,sorry I don't know any dish names maybe look at a cookbook

[Marrryyyyy]

my best friend is chinese..she says dumplings :)

[archer86]

Ok, good. Any particular western dish that chinese women creave for? Dumplings are easy enough

[Anonymous]

Cook them a dead puppy, preferably a pitbull. Just make sure the eyeballs are in tact and looking up all so scared because that's their favorite part.

[kambo_trick3y]

Haha

[Opinion Owner]

Least one person thought it was funny. If you think about it, Americans will eat fish just the same.

[visual]

Pretty funny :p

[Anonymous]

Ask her what dish she's been craving or your sigurature dish if its good I'm sure everyone would eat it so its not obvious you made it special for her

[breezeday]

nothing is more dilicious than Chinese food,wowo,how I love it and proud of it

[archer86]

Please teach me so I can impress you somehow ;)

[Anonymous]

I like that ice cream dumping but I'm not sure what its called I think Munchuri or something like that but I think its hard to make so buying it wouldn't be so hard

[Anonymous]

Dog. Them azns eat dogs.

[pezzonovante88]

Chiwawa

[Anonymous]

Chicken Teriyaki :)