Hot take: pairing wine with your Chinese take-out or delivery order is an easy, inexpensive way to treat yourself and elevate your meal to something extra special. Here are the best ways to pair your Chinese food! Now, we love Chinese food. There are so many options and it’s all super delicious. And let’s be real: we could use a little comfort food right about now. Wondering what to sip alongside your meal? It's easy, just follow some general guidelines. Take a look at this guide to help you find the best wines to pair with Chinese food.
Some Pairing Advice
When picking a vino to go with many popular Chinese dishes, the type of protein is actually secondary to the flavors in the sauce. If you like to order family style (i.e., getting a whole bunch of dishes and sharing), some wines work really well across the board. For instance, an off-dry Riesling is a solid choice. Why?- It’s cold. White wines are best served chilled, and a cool sip helps to tame the heat of a spicy dish.
- It’s slightly sweet, and sweetness in wine complements saltier or spiced foods.
- It’s low-alcohol. This makes it easier to drink over the course of a meal.
If you don’t have a Riesling on hand, you could also opt for a white wine like Gewürztraminer or Viognier, which both have light, floral notes.
Wine Pairings
Appetizers
For egg rolls, spring rolls, and other fried favorites, a sparkling wine like Cava is a great choice. The bubbles cut through the fat of fried foods. Not a fan of bubbly? You can also go with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc.
Noodle Dishes
Lo mein, which is dressed in soy sauce, has a big kick of umami flavor. This flavor profile goes well with a light and grassy Sauvignon Blanc or a bright, peppery Grüner Veltliner.
Fried dishes like chow mein and fried rice pair well with a crisp, unoaked Chardonnay, a dry Riesling, or even a sparkling wine.
Popular Entrees
For fried dishes in sweet sauces, go with a light wine that you can chill.- Sesame Chicken goes well with a light, slightly fizzy Lambrusco.
- The sweetness in Moscato is a good match for Sweet & Sour chicken or pork. You can also opt for a zesty, floral Torrontés or an aromatic Chenin Blanc. Sweet and tangy Orange Chicken goes well with a light Pinot Gris.
For spicier dishes like General Tso’s, go with Gewürztraminer or a light and fruity Gamay if you like red wine.
Kung Pao chicken pairs well with an off-dry Riesling, aromatic Gewurztraminer, or Viognier from the Northern Rhône region.
Dishes served with hoisin sauce, like Moo Shu Pork, go well with an off-dry Riesling or Chardonnay. You could also reach for a red wine like a fruity Beaujolais or Merlot, or a peppery Cabernet Franc.
Beef & Broccoli is one of the few dishes that pair well with a bolder red wine. To match the intense flavors, you can go with a fruity Merlot or even Malbec.
Similarly, spicy Mongolian beef goes well with the bright fruit flavors in Grenache. Just be sure to avoid an overly tannic red.
Peking Duck, known for its thin, crisp skin and sweet glaze, goes well with a lighter red like Pinot Noir or Beaujolais.
