Chinese food is fried in various oils, most commonly peanut oil, soybean oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil, chosen for their high smoke points suitable for stir-frying and deep-frying, with regional preferences for rapeseed oil (canola) in some areas and traditional use of lard.
The most commonly used oil in Chinese cuisine is peanut oil, closely followed by vegetable oils (especially soybean oil) and sesame oil used as a flavoring. Key points: Peanut oil: favored for its high smoke point, clean neutral flavor with a subtle nuttiness, and suitability for stir-frying and deep-frying.
KFC primarily uses a blend of oils, with a major shift in the U.S. to low-linolenic soybean oil to eliminate trans fats, while regions like Australia use high oleic canola oil for its stability and health profile, though specific oil types can vary by country and even franchise, sometimes incorporating palm/soybean blends, but generally favoring vegetable-based oils for flavor and consistency.
In China's cooking oil market, soybean oil is the most commonly used oil. It accounts for 50% of China's total cooking oil market. Second is rapeseed oil which ranks second with 23% market share. In China, staple oil consumption differs from region to region.
Unrefined peanut oil may be used in multicultural restaurants, for example Indian, Thai or Chinese. It's often used to give dishes a peanut flavour. It is sometimes blended with refined oil for its flavour. Unrefined peanut oil is not used in pharmaceutical products.
The worst cooking oils for health are generally those high in saturated fats (like palm oil, coconut oil, butter) and highly processed vegetable/seed oils (like soybean, corn, sunflower, safflower, grapeseed, cottonseed oil) which are unstable and form harmful compounds at high heat, potentially raising bad cholesterol (LDL) and contributing to inflammation or disease. Partially hydrogenated oils, containing artificial trans fats, are especially bad and should be avoided, though largely removed from products.
The main reason why Chinese meals are often considered unhealthy is just because its most popular examples are typically served as fast food. Various noodles and stir-fried meals certainly have lots of fats, salt, and sugar in their recipes.
McDonald's clarifies its fats
In a news release from Shanghai, McDonald's said yesterday that it uses only fatty acid-free palm oil to make french fries in China.
Sturdy oils good for sautéing, stir-frying, or roasting foods include avocado, canola, corn, grapeseed, regular or light olive oil (not virgin or extra-virgin), peanut, rice bran, safflower, soybean, and sunflower oils.
The unhealthiest KFC item varies, but often includes high-calorie, high-fat options like the Family Potato Salad (over 1,200 calories/serving) or the Famous Bowl (around 710 calories), while large fried chicken pieces or loaded burgers (like the Zinger Tower) also rank high for fat and sodium, though chicken skin itself has unsaturated fats, making preparation key.
¼ cup gochujang (Korean hot pepper paste) 2 teaspoons white vinegar. 2 teaspoons vegetable oil. corn (or vegetable) oil for frying.
Once in our kitchens, we cook them in our canola-blend oil so you can have them crispy and hot—just the way you like them. Want to hear more about our fry ingredients?
Soybean, rapeseed, palm, and peanut oils are the most commonly consumed edible oils in China, although “Western” oils and fats such as olive oil and butter are gaining in popularity.
Herbs and seasonings
Sichuan peppercorns, star anise, cinnamon, fennel, cloves and white peppers and smart weed are also used in different regions. To add extra flavor to the dishes, many Chinese cuisines also contain dried Chinese mushrooms, dried baby shrimp, dried tangerine peel, and dried Sichuan chillies.
Since most stovetop cooking (and even frying) occurs around 350°F, you can absolutely use olive oil for sautéing and stir-frying. The thing to keep in mind is that olive oil is flavorful, so do you want to add that flavor to the dish you're cooking? If the answer is yes, go ahead.
The worst cooking oils for health are generally those high in saturated fats (like palm oil, coconut oil, butter) and highly processed vegetable/seed oils (like soybean, corn, sunflower, safflower, grapeseed, cottonseed oil) which are unstable and form harmful compounds at high heat, potentially raising bad cholesterol (LDL) and contributing to inflammation or disease. Partially hydrogenated oils, containing artificial trans fats, are especially bad and should be avoided, though largely removed from products.
When choosing a cooking oil, it's best to choose an oil high in poly and/or mono-unsaturated fats, which are heart-healthy fats derived foods such as olives, seeds, nuts and vegetables. Olive oil, which is high in monounsaturated fats, is a particularly beneficial choice for heart health.
cooking methods are common in Asian cuisines, peanut oil is a popular choice. color, neutral flavor, and is generally used for cooking. Toasted sesame seed oil has a darker color, a stronger aroma, and a distinctively nutty flavor.
Once at the restaurant our fries are simply cooked in dedicated frying vats in a non-hydrogenated blend of sunflower and rapeseed oil which is 100 percent suitable for vegetarians (McDonald's French Fries are officially accredited by the Vegetarian Society).
Advantages of Canola Oil in Commercial Kitchens
It's well known for its mild flavor, low saturated fat content, and high smoke point. These qualities make it a standout choice for professional kitchens that demand both performance and reliability.
Nonethless, the staple Big Mac sandwich will set you back $3.47 in China (as of 2024, per an infographic distributed by The Economist), versus $5.89 in the United States.
Worst: General Tso's Chicken
One order clocks in at around 1,500 calories and 88 grams of fat, and it delivers more sodium than you should get in a day. Other fried dishes to watch out for: sesame, orange, and sweet and sour chicken.
Despite its high carbohydrate content, many Chinese and Asians maintain a balanced diet, practice portion control, and engage in regular physical activity, allowing them to stay healthy while enjoying rice.
Top 10 Foods for Health