Sauces & Sides

The perfect finishing touches to any meal

Every great Chinese dish deserves the right sauce or side to go with it. Whether it’s a silky gravy to pour over your noodles, a sharp dipping sauce to lift your dumplings, or a quick stir-fry of greens to balance your meal, this collection is where all those essential extras live.


These are the recipes that take your cooking from good to great. Simple, flavour-packed, and versatile enough to pair with just about anything.

Small dishes, big flavour

I’ve always said that sides and sauces make the meal. A perfectly seasoned dipping sauce or freshly cooked bowl of rice can completely change the way a dish feels.


In this section, I’ll show you how to make some of my favourite accompaniments, the same ones we’ve been serving at home for years. Every recipe is designed to be quick, foolproof, and bursting with authentic flavour.

Discover dishes such as:


  • Homemade Sweet and Sour Sauce – perfectly balanced tang and sweetness.

  • Egg Fried Rice – a classic side that goes with everything.

  • Garlic and Soy Greens – simple, fresh, and full of umami.

  • Chilli Oil – fiery, fragrant, and endlessly versatile.

  • Classic Dipping Sauce – a mix of soy, vinegar, and sugar that lifts any dish.
Hand sprinkling seasoning onto chopped vegetables in a stone bowl.

Make every dish complete

Browse below to explore all Sauces & Sides recipes. Each one is easy to make, uses everyday ingredients, and adds that final touch of Chow With Lau magic to your meal.

Person pouring liquid from a pan into two white ramekins with a yellowish-green mixture inside.

Mum’s Spring Onion & Ginger Oil Dip

By MIchael Lau • November 1, 2025
My mum’s spring onion and ginger oil dip — simple, fragrant, and full of flavour. The perfect Chinese sauce for chicken, rice, or noodles.
Spring rolls in a bowl with dipping sauce and chopsticks on a wooden surface.

Crispy Spring Rolls with Pork and Peanut Butter Filling

By MIchael Lau • November 1, 2025
Crispy spring rolls filled with pork, peanut butter, and sweet chilli. My easy recipe for this crunchy, crowd-pleasing Chinese snack.
Small glass jar filled with black peppercorns surrounded by four garlic cloves on a wooden surface.

Fermented Black Beans

By MIchael Lau • November 1, 2025
Learn what fermented black beans are and how to make authentic Chinese black bean sauce — rich, savoury, and perfect for stir-fries.
Bowl of steamed green vegetables with chopsticks on wooden table.

Tenderstem Broccoli Stir Fry

By MIchael Lau • November 1, 2025
Quick, garlicky Tenderstem broccoli stir-fry. My easy Chinese-style recipe that turns this simple veg into a flavour-packed side dish.
Steamed bok choy with sesame sauce on a blue patterned plate, garnished with sesame seeds and cilantro.

Pak Choi in Garlic Oyster Sauce

By MIchael Lau • November 1, 2025
Quick, easy pak choi stir-fry in garlic oyster sauce. My simple recipe for this Chinese favourite — light, flavourful, and ready in minutes.
Fried rice topped with a fried egg; knife cutting into the yolk on a floral patterned plate.

My Ultimate Everyday Egg Fried Rice

By MIchael Lau • November 1, 2025
Quick, tasty Egg Fried Rice with bacon and spring onion. My ultimate everyday version — simple, satisfying, and full of flavour.