flash-fry
Brief high-heat cooking
Flash-fry is to cook food very briefly in extremely hot oil, producing a crispy exterior while keeping the interior tender or barely cooked.
The technique works best with small or thin pieces: Flash-fried calamari should be tender, not rubbery.
The method emphasizes speed—typically seconds rather than minutes.
Burn the outside
- sautéCook quickly in fat
- blanchScald briefly, then cool
- sealAuthentication stamp or mark
- brownDark earth tone
caramelize · char · crisp · blister · scorch · sizzle · toss · flip
Concave cooking pan
- tossLight, casual throw
- carbon steelIron-based metal alloy
- wok heiSmoky stir-fry flavor
- ladleDeep spoon for serving
spatula · burner · gas flame · preheated · smoking hot · wok ring · clanging · BTU
Brittle and snapping
- goldenBright yellow, or precious
- crunchyBreaking with sound
- searedBurned on the surface
- charredBurned until black
blistered · caramelized · smoky · al dente · sealed · snap · crackle · glossy
Edible plants, not fruits
- shrimpSmall edible crustacean
- beef stripsNarrow cuts of cattle meat
- tofuCoagulated soy milk block
- squidTen-armed marine mollusk
scallops · snow peas · bok choy · water chestnuts · bamboo shoots · bean sprouts · garlic · ginger
Fermented bean condiment
- sesame oilPressed seed extract for cooking
- oyster sauceBivalve-based savory condiment
- hoisinFermented soybean condiment
- rice wineFermented grain alcohol
fish sauce · chili oil · garlic paste · ginger · mirin · black bean sauce · sambal · kecap manis
sear
Burn the outside
brown · caramelize · char · crisp · blister · scorch · sizzle · toss · flip · timing
wok
Concave cooking pan
- tossLight, casual throw
- carbon steelIron-based metal alloy
- wok heiSmoky stir-fry flavor
ladle · spatula · burner · gas flame · preheated · smoking hot · wok ring · clanging · BTU
crispy
Brittle and snapping
charred · blistered · caramelized · smoky · al dente · sealed · snap · crackle · glossy · coated
vegetables
Edible plants, not fruits
- shrimpSmall edible crustacean
- beef stripsNarrow cuts of cattle meat
- tofuCoagulated soy milk block
squid · scallops · snow peas · bok choy · water chestnuts · bamboo shoots · bean sprouts · garlic · ginger · scallions
soy sauce
Fermented bean condiment
- sesame oilPressed seed extract for cooking
- oyster sauceBivalve-based savory condiment
- hoisinFermented soybean condiment
rice wine · fish sauce · chili oil · garlic paste · ginger · mirin · black bean sauce · sambal · kecap manis · tamarind