For beginners trying to learn how to prepare Chinese food, having a Wok is not a strict requirement because it can be substituted with something else. Although if you follow the suggested utensils to be used, you will find out that you will be able to cook Chinese food better. In fact they are not expensive at all and they are readily available in the market.

The most important utensil in Chinese cooking is the Wok. A Wok is very versatile as it can be used as a pot or as a cooking pan. The shape of the Wok has not changed over the centuries because it is already perfect as it is. Only one enhancement has been added to help it adapt to electric stoves, which is the ring or metal collar to help it be more stable.

Many people believe that a Wok is a must have for every kitchen. It has so many uses when preparing Chinese food. It also heats up very evenly and this in turn will shorten the cooking time, which is important when cooking Chinese food. It is very useful in stir fry cooking, which is basically the technique used in Chinese cooking. Because of the smooth sides of the wok, it can also be used for cooking scrambled eggs and it is perfect for making omelets too. Its shape is an important factor in cooking stir fry food, with its steep side which helps spread the oil around evenly and easily. Also remember that the lesser amount of ingredients cooked in the wok the better. Avoid adding a huge amount of food for cooking at one time.

Woks come in different sizes, but for regular family cooking you can get the 12 - 14 inch ones. If the Wok you bought is made of iron, it must be seasoned first before it can be used. This is to prevent it from rusting over time. Before seasoning your new Wok, it must be washed properly. After rinsing it, carefully wipe off the excess water and place it on the stove to heat to dry it out completely before seasoning it. Wash and dry the cover of the Wok exactly the same way.

In case you do not own a Wok, you can still prepare Chinese food by using a very heavy frying pan. Make sure to stir the food very often to make sure your food will not get burnt.