For Chinese Food, One Wok Stands Above The Rest

Chinese takeout has become a comfort food classic. Those white carton containers, filled with piping hot lo mein and rice — in what always feels like massive quantities — can turn an average evening into a great one really quickly. It's right up there with pizza or wings as an easy and nearly always delicious dinner option.

But, let's be real, ordering food all of the time can get expensive. And there's something to be said about making a meal with your hands — not only is it a satisfying endeavor but you get to tailor everything about the food exactly to your liking.

If you're looking to curb your takeout habit just a little or just wanting to experiment more in the kitchen, homemade Chinese food is a great way to do both. But whether you're stir-frying vegetables, meat, or noodles, you'll need a good wok. Luckily, you won't need to spend hours searching for the perfect wok, making endless trips to the home goods store checking out various models and specs. Choosing the best wok is easy when there's one that so clearly stands out among all others.

This traditional round bottom Chinese wok pan is a 15 gauge (about 1.8mm thickness), 14-inch wok. It's "hand hammered by Chinese professionals in Guangzhou," according to the Craft Wok Traditional Hand Hammered Carbon Steel Pow Wok product description, which also notes, "This wok is the proven choice of many professional Chinese chefs." 

Featuring both a rounded "helper handle" made from steel and a long wooden handle, you'll be able to easily grip and manage your wok while stir-frying. The steel handle is designed to not get too hot while the wok is over high heat, and "the wood handle has a special hygroscopic coating" to keep it from getting slippery while you're cooking, per the product description.

As the name implies, the wok is made from carbon steel, generally considered the best wok material for serious cooking. This is because the material is lightweight and conducts heat well — something specifically important when stir-frying. With that in mind though, you have to take special care of carbon steel woks so they don't rust. Usually, this is done by seasoning the wok before use — this also makes the wok virtually non-stick — and luckily Craft Wok has included instructions with the Pow Wok for easy seasoning.

It's also worth noting that because of the flat bottom of the Pow Wok, it's best for gas stoves or burners. The company specifically notes that it is "not suitable for flat electric or flat induction stove[s]."

With over 6,000 reviews on Amazon that average out to 4.5 out of 5 stars, it's easy to see that customers love the craft wok. Of those reviews, 74% of buyers gave the wok five stars, with another 13% giving it four.

Most reviewers note that the wok works extremely well: "I agree with all the other five starers. This is a superb bit of kitchen kit. Been cooking with a wok for pretty much everything for years and this one is the Rolls Royce."

Another shared, "This is a great, heavy-duty steel wok that will last far longer than my lifetime."

Besides the actual use of the product, a lot of customers also love how beautiful the craftsmanship of the wok is. One reviewer wrote, "The wok is absolutely beautiful. I love the hand hammered look of it. I wish I had space to leave it out on display in my kitchen. ... I feel like this could be handed down through generations."

At $59.75, the Craft Wok Pow Wok is significantly more affordable than other similar woks on the market. But works just as well, if not better. For reference, this Blue Carbon Steel Wok from Made In costs nearly $100. Not only do you save money upfront by purchasing the Craft Wok option, but knowing how long it'll last means you'll likely never have to purchase a wok again. 

The Craft Wok Pow Wok also has the added advantage that it includes easy-to-follow seasoning instructions. Getting a carbon steel wok ready to use can be a difficult process, especially if you've never done it before, but the included instructions with the Craft Wok make the process significantly easier. "The seasoning process takes time, a little effort, and a little judgement," one customer wrote, adding, "This was not a high-stress operation— the pan itself is very tough and it's hard to do any real damage to it."

Ultimately, if you're looking for a wok that is not only affordable, but also easy to use, the Craft Wok Traditional Hand Hammered Carbon Steel Pow Wok is really the only way to go.

Purchase the Craft Wok Traditional Hand Hammered Carbon Steel Pow Wok on Amazon for $59.75.