The 8 Best Woks You Can Buy
The 8 Best Woks You Can Buy, According To Experts
We asked Ching He Huang, a U.K.-based TV chef and cookbook author, and Chef Shirley Chung, a Top Chef alum and owner of Ms Chi Cafe in Culver City, CA, to tell us what makes a great wok, well, great. Below, the two share exactly that as we pinpoint the eight best woks you can buy for your own kitchen—plus tips for what to make in the pans. ("You can sear veggies in the wok [to get] a crisp, delish taste [while] keeping the nutrients in," Huang says.)
1) Yosukata 14-Inch Carbon Steel Wok Pan
YOSUKATA
amazon.com
"You want to look for a wok that has a small base and deep sides with a good curvature," explains Huang. "Be wary of woks that are actually pans—wide base and shallow sides. This does not allow the ingredients to fall uniformly to the centre to allow for uniform heat distribution and cooking (or wokking! as I like to call it)." Huang's highly-rated Lotus Wok is currently out of stock—but in the mean time, this Yosukata pan has the ideal structure.
2) Joyce Chen Carbon Steel Wok Set
JOYCE CHEN
amazon.com
"You should always go with a steel wok that can transfer heat fast," says Chung. "A traditional carbon steel wok will need to be seasoned and regularly maintained so it doesn't rust or stick." This carbon steel model has more than a thousand rave reviews on Amazon.
3) Mamma Fong 12-Inch Round Bottom Carbon Steel Wok Pan
Mammafong
amazon.com
This 12" non-toxic carbon steel, hand-hammered traditional wok is perfect for single-family cooking. Because the bottom is rounded, it's not meant to be used with flat or glass stovetops; gas stovetops only. You'll have to season it before the first time you use it, and after that you're ready to deep fry and sauté like the pros.
4) Babyltrl 12.5-Inch Wok Pan Set
Babyltrl
amazon.com
This carbon-steel wok works perfectly on all heat sources, including electric stoves, induction stoves, gas ranges, ceramic stoves, and other direct heat sources. This set comes with a wooden lid, slotted turner, ladle, wok spatula, skimmer, rice spoon, and pasta server.
5) Breville BEW600XL Hot Wok
Breville
amazon.com
"The wok is a very versatile tool," says Chung. "From stir frying leafy greens and wok frying noodles or fried rice, to deep frying anything—one wok can replace multiple pots and pans in the kitchen."When it comes to versatility, this electric wok really can do it all. No stove space? No problem—plug in this electric wok, and you can cook soups stir-frys in its stainless steel that can reach temperatures up to 425oF.
6) Staub Cast Iron Wok With Glass Lid
STAUB
amazon.com
Fans of this French cookware line will be happy to hear that they also make cast iron woks that come with tight-fitting lids for steaming. While it's a little pricier than the other woks on this list, it is one-of-a-kind, can withstand oven temps up to 500F, and is built to last a lifetime.
7) Nordic Ware 8.5-Inch Superior Steel Spun Wok
Nordic Ware
amazon.com
As useful as a 15-inch wok is for feeding the whole family, they can be a real pain to store. If space is one of your main concerns, go for this 8.5-inch steel wok—it creates ideal portion sizes for two or three people.
8) Cooks Standard 13-Inch Stainless Steel Multi-Ply Clad Wok
Cooks Standard
amazon.com
Huang advises against using woks made of aluminum ("it can warp!"), so your best bet for a beginner-friendly equivalent is this model from Cooks Standard. It may not be non-stick, but it is dishwasher and oven-safe.
Ching-He Huang and Shirley Chung way in on their favorite Chinese woks, including the best carbon steel wok, the best lodge cast iron wok, the best electric wok and more.