Looking to add a wok to your kitchen? Discover the type of wok that's best for your stir-fry needs.
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Your Guide to Types of Woks (and Which Is Right for You)
Updated on Sep. 24, 2024
Whether you’re just dipping your toes into the world of Asian cooking or serious about your stir-fries, there’s one tool you’ll want in your kitchen: a wok.
These deep, round-bottomed pans are essential Chinese cooking tools, though you can use them for all sorts of Asian-inspired meals. These are the best woks for your kitchen, according to our experts. There are lots of types of woks on the market, so before you pick up one of our favorite Asian cookbooks, make sure you’re grabbing the pan that suits you best.
Why You Need a Wok
We’ve all made stir-fry or fried rice in a frying pan or saute pan before: It’s passable, but neither pan is ideal.
Many Asian recipes call for a fast, high-heat cooking method. You want every piece of food to cook quickly, using dry heat to brown rather than soften, and to allow the vegetables and meats to cook simultaneously. Woks are the right tool for the job for several reasons:
- They have high sides that make it easy to toss and flip every bite of food.
- Their flared sides also allow steam to escape rather than remain in the pan and soften the food.
- They are made from a thin material compared to most everyday pans, which allows heat to conduct quickly and efficiently.
All types of woks should have those three elements—the high sides, flared design, and thin conductive material.
Types of Woks and Important Features
Now, you may know that you want to add a wok to your kitchen, but you may not know what type of wok is right for you. Consider these criteria before you click “add to cart.” You can, however, bookmark these Chinese recipes in the meantime.
Material
Woks should be made with a very conductive metal, and preferably one that’s also lightweight. Carbon steel is a popular choice. Aluminum is another lighter-weight option.
Cast-iron woks will be heavier, but if you enjoy cooking with your cast-iron skillet, you’ll likely love a cast-iron wok just as much. You can even get a Lodge cast-iron wok to match your Lodge skillet.
Nonstick vs. Seasoned
You definitely don’t want food to stick to the pan in a high-heat situation. A material like carbon steel can be seasoned with oil, just like your best cast-iron pan, which creates a naturally nonstick surface that will improve with every use.
Many woks come with a nonstick coating, like this GreenPan wok. It’s easy to clean and lets food glide over the surface. On the other hand, a nonstick coating usually can’t handle a cooking temperature over medium heat, which means your stir-fry won’t be as crisp as it could be over a hotter temp. Nonstick pans also don’t last as long as carbon steel or cast-iron woks since the coating does wear away over time.
Flat vs. Curved Base
Many woks have a curved base, which makes for easy food tossing and lets heat travel up the curved sides most efficiently. Curved-bottom woks work best when placed in a wok ring: a round collar that holds the wok over a burner (typically a gas burner).
Cooking directly on a gas or electric burner? You want to look for a wok with a flat base, which will allow it to sit directly over the burner and conduct heat.
Handles
Typically, woks either have two small metal handles (like ears) or one long one—often made of wood like this Joyce Chen wok.
If you want to shake and toss your ingredients like a pro, a wok with a long handle is the model for you. If you’d rather just stir the contents of your wok, one with small handles will work better.
Size
Cooking for a big family? Go ahead and get a big wok (some are as large as six or eight quarts).
If you mostly cook for two or three, seek out a smaller model. Cooking a small amount of food in a too-large pan makes it easy to burn the food and scorch the cooking oil, which gives food a bitter taste.
Electric Woks
Stand-alone electric woks have a built-in heat element, which lets cooks plug in anywhere and get cooking. They offer a high, consistent heat that’s ideal for stir-frying.
Electric woks like the Breville Hot Wok Pro, offer you flexibility in the kitchen. You can set up an electric wok anywhere there’s an outlet and get to work. This can give your sous chef some room to make rice on the stovetop. These types of woks, however, tend to be more expensive than their classic counterparts.
Delish Stir-Fries to Try Tonight
I normally serve a traditional stir-fry, but I wanted to change it up. Ramen noodles are a quick sub for the rice, and we really like the crisp-tender bite from fresh broccoli and a package of coleslaw mix. —Barbara Pletzke, Herndon, Virginia
Teriyaki Glazed ChickenI love to experiment with food. We're able to buy sweet onions grown on Maui, so I stir-fry them with chicken and carrots for a tasty teriyaki meal. —Kelly Brenneman, Riverdale, California
Want more? Discover these authentic Asian recipes.
Veggie-Cashew Stir-FryGetting my meat-loving husband and two sons, ages 5 and 7, to eat more veggies had always been a struggle until I whipped up this stir-fry. I was shocked when they cleaned their plates and asked for seconds. —Abbey Hoffman, Ashland, Ohio. Looking for variations? Try this easy-to-make vegan stir-fry.
Cashew ChickenThis quick cashew chicken recipe is great as a weeknight timesaver that you won’t find yourself compromising on flavor. If you’ve never cooked with nuts before, prepare for a pleasant surprise. They really bring the best out of the chicken breast.
Whole Grain Chow MeinMy kids are picky eaters, but teriyaki and hoisin sauces work wonders with them. They love the meatballs, and I swap the noodles for whole grain pasta. —Kelly Shippey, Orange, California
For more delicious ideas, check out these flavorful bok choy recipes.
Thai Scallop SauteJust open a bottle of Thai peanut sauce to give this seafood stir-fry some serious authenticity. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Craving takeout? Learn to make Thai-inspired and traditional Thai recipes, like pad thai and pork satay, right at home.
Mongolian ChickenThis is a fun way to make chicken. Mongolian chicken has a lot of flavor and a bit of heat for good measure. —Mary Ann Lee, Clifton Park, New York
Craving a Japanese dish? Check out our chicken yakisoba recipe.
Spicy Beef Stir FrySpice up your dinner rotation with our 30-minute beef stir fry recipe. Tender sirloin and crisp veggies meet a fiery coconut-lime sauce for a quick and delicious meal any night of the week.
Chicken Stir-Fry with NoodlesStir-fry noodles on a cooking show caught my eye. I ran with the idea and loaded mine with veggies. Now it’s our favorite hurry-up meal. —Beverly Norris, Evanston, Wyoming
Shrimp Pad ThaiThis 30-minute shrimp pad thai recipe has all the iconic funky flavor of the traditional recipe, without some of the harder-to-find ingredients.
Pork & Mango Stir-FryA recipe is special when everyone in your family raves about it. My finicky eaters each give a thumbs-up for this hearty, nutty stir-fry. —Kathleen Specht, Clinton, Montana
Speedy Salmon Stir-FrySalmon is a staple where I live, so I tried it in a stir-fry. My recipe has an orange glaze, but I like it with lime, too. —Joni Hilton, Rocklin, California
Sesame Turkey Stir-FryI really like the rich taste of sesame oil in this Thai-inspired dish. If you don't have it, canola oil does the trick, too. To get a similar nuttiness, toss in a handful sliced almonds before serving. —Kelli Whiting, Fortville, Indiana
Asian Veggie Glass NoodlesMy mom immigrated from the Philippines, so we would often eat Filipino pancit, a well-known glass noodles dish. I took her version and added my own touches to make it easier and a little healthier. —Jasmin Baron, Livonia, New York
Quick Chicken & Broccoli Stir-FryThis Asian chicken and broccoli stir-fry is a household best bet. The spicy sauce works with chicken, seafood, pork or beef. Add whatever veggies you have on hand. —Kristin Rimkus, Snohomish, Washington
BBQ Beef & Vegetable Stir-FryThis was a spur-of-the-moment experiment when we wanted something nice and filling, but also easy. I had steak, peppers and onions on hand, and this is what my mind created. We make it often. For something different, try it in tortillas for fajitas. —Rochelle Dickson, Potwin, Kansas
Saucy Thai Beef NoodlesThis stir-fry has been a family favorite for some time. I like to double the recipe and add extra vegetables. —Janelle Lee, Appleton, Wisconsin
Scallops with Snow PeasThe vibrant, crisp pea pods in this dish are a nice contrast with the soft scallops. The dish looks and tastes bright and fresh. —Barb Carlucci, Orange Park, Florida
Balsamic Pork Stir-FryThe solution to expensive Chinese takeout is right here. I think this pork stir-fry is much tastier than any takeout I've tried. —Susan Jones, Appleton, Wisconsin
Orange Beef and Asparagus Stir-fryTake your go-to Asian restaurant off speed dial; this is hands down better than takeout! Leftover grilled steak, fresh veggies and a sweet orange glaze—see what we mean? —Cindy Johnson, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Ginger-Chutney Shrimp Stir-FryI made this recipe a lot when I was juggling college, work and a growing family. It tastes like you spent a lot of time making it, yet only takes minutes to pull together. —Sally Sibthorpe, Shelby Township, Michigan
Spicy Orange ChickenI created a citrusy version of General Tso's chicken. Top with sesame seeds and green onions, roasted red peppers and sugar snap peas. —Paula Williams, Covington, Kentucky
Cashew BeefCashew beef is a deeply flavorful one-pan meal best enjoyed with rice, noodles or a sauteed veg. This dish is meant to cook up quick, so make sure your workspace is prepped and your pan is hot before you begin.
Chicken Soba Noodle TossThis is one of my favorite meals for busy weeknights. You can prepare all the ingredients the day before and then put the dish together just before dinner. —Elizabeth Brown, Lowell, Massachusetts
Easy Ginger Pork Stir-FryAn easy homemade stir-fry sauce is the perfect base for this weeknight dish. It comes together quickly but tastes impressive. —Adeline Russell, Hartford, Wisconsin
Caribbean Chicken Stir-FryFruit cocktail in stir-fry? You might be surprised by how good this dish is. It's a promising go-to option when time's tight. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Beef Lo MeinThis simple beef lo mein is easy to toss together with the veggies you have on hand. And since it uses spaghetti, you won't have to go searching for special noodles.
Mandarin Pork Stir-FryWhen my husband and I were dating, he told me he liked Asian food. I got a wok and discovered the joy of dishes like this pork stir-fry. —Laurie Martignon, Niagara, Wisconsin
Chicken and Pineapple Stir-FryWe love how the snappy veggies and pineapple make this stir-fry taste fresh and bright. Add brown sugar and you get a sweet-and-sour dish that’s packed with flavor. —DeEtta Rasmussen, Fort Madison, Iowa
Asparagus Tofu Stir-FryWith its flavorful ginger sauce and fresh vegetables, this tasty dish is a favorite. I get rave reviews every time I serve it, and it doesn’t bother my husband’s food allergies. Check out our guide if you’re new to tofu. —Phyllis Smith, Chimacum, Washington
Stir-Fried Shrimp and MushroomsAfter a tiring but beautiful day of fishing, this is a fast and delicious way to serve our famous Key West pink shrimp. It's always a big hit with guests. —Jeanne Wolfort, Summerland Key, Florida
Pork and Vegetable Lo MeinTraditional Asian flavors combine for a super supper that will please the whole family. —Simple & Delicious Test Kitchen
Turkey Asparagus Stir-FryTwenty minutes is all you'll need to make this quick stir-fry. Lean turkey, asparagus and mushrooms make it super nutritious, too. —Darlene Kennedy, Galion, Ohio
Coconut Curry ShrimpThis easy, flavorful coconut curry shrimp recipe comes together in under 30 minutes and cooks in a single pan.
Stir-Fried Scallops and AsparagusServed over quick-cooking ramen noodles, this stir-fry is perfect for busy families on hurried weeknights. Not only do we love the taste, but it comes together in about half an hour. —Barbara Schindler, Napoleon, Ohio
Honey Chicken Stir-FryWho needs takeout when you've got this quick and delicious honey chicken stir-fry! Simple ingredients and a full-proof method mean dinner will be ready in a flash.
Stir-Fry Rice BowlMy meatless version of Korean bibimbap is tasty, pretty and easy to tweak for different spice levels. —Devon Delaney, Westport, Connecticut
