The Wok: Recipes and Techniques

J. Kenji López-Alt

Mar 2022 · W. W. Norton & Company

About this ebook

#1 New York Times Bestseller • #1 Washington Post Bestseller • Winner of the 2023 James Beard Award for Single Subject Cookbooks • One of Time's 10 Most Anticipated Cookbooks of 2022

One of NPR's Books We Love in 2022 • A Bon Appétit, Tasting Table, Vice, Here & Now, Publishers Weekly, and Inside Hook Best Cookbook of 2022

From J. Kenji López-Alt, the author of the best-selling cookbook The Food Lab: the definitive guide to the science and technique of cooking in a wok.

J. Kenji López-Alt’s debut cookbook, The Food Lab, revolutionized home cooking, selling more than half a million copies with its science-based approach to everyday foods. And for fast, fresh cooking for his family, there’s one pan López-Alt reaches for more than any other: the wok.

Whether stir-frying, deep frying, steaming, simmering, or braising, the wok is the most versatile pan in the kitchen. Once you master the basics—the mechanics of a stir-fry, and how to get smoky wok hei at home—you’re ready to cook home-style and restaurant-style dishes from across Asia and the United States, including Kung Pao Chicken, Pad Thai, and San Francisco–Style Garlic Noodles. López-Alt also breaks down the science behind beloved Beef Chow Fun, fried rice, dumplings, tempura vegetables or seafood, and dashi-simmered dishes.

Featuring more than 200 recipes—including simple no-cook sides—explanations of knife skills and how to stock a pantry, and more than 1,000 color photographs, The Wok provides endless ideas for brightening up dinner.

Ratings and reviews

I've been a fan of Kenji for years (fun fact: I used to live in San Mateo, within a couple miles of him!). The Food Lab and Serious Eats are go-to resources for me, bordering on reference class. I love the cheekiness and the great combination of deep knowledge on the topic that's easily digestible. The only reason this review isn't six stars (out of five) is because I can't share the dang thing in my Google Play Family Library. I bought it so my wife could also peruse and cook from it, but didn't think to check first. Now she'll just have to cheat and read it while logged into my account in another browser, but I can't fathom why such a book wouldn't be eligible.

About the author

J. Kenji López-Alt is a chef, parent, and New York Times best-selling author of The Food Lab and Every Night Is Pizza Night. He is a wildly popular New York Times food columnist; the chief culinary advisor for Serious Eats; and the host of Kenji’s Cooking Show, which has more than a million subscribers on YouTube. He lives in Seattle, Washington.