Chinese Sausage Buying Guide: Find the Perfect One for Your Dishes

The Chinese sausage, or lap cheong as it's affectionately known, is making its way into more and more of our kitchens. But with so many varieties available, it can be hard to know where to start. Whether you're searching for the flavours of your childhood, curious to experiment at your next barbecue, or simply looking for a unique Asian snack, this guide is for you. We'll break down the different types of sausages to help you choose the one that will elevate your stir-fries, spice up your hot pots, or surprise your guests with appetisers.

How to Choose Your Chinese Sausage??

To make the right choice, keep three criteria in mind?: the preparation method, the flavour profile, and the type of meat.

1. Ready-to-eat or needs cooking??

This is the first question to ask yourself?: do you want it ready to use, or do you want to cook it yourself?

• Ready-to-eat?: Often sold as "ham sausage", this is the ultimate quick-and-easy option. Just unwrap, slice, and it's ready?! Perfect on its own, in a bento box, with instant noodles, or for an on-the-go meal.
• To be cooked?: These sausages reveal their full potential once cooked. Whether grilled, pan-fried, steamed, or simmered, they release intense aromas. The grilled Chinese sausage is a barbecue classic, while other varieties are an essential ingredient for Chinese hot pot.

2. What flavour?: mild, sweet-and-savoury, or spicy??

Asian cured meats are a playground for the taste buds.

• Sweet and Savoury?: This is the classic profile, typical of Cantonese sausages (Lap Cheong). Dried and marinated in a mix of soy sauce and sugar, they offer that delicious balance that caramelises beautifully when cooked.
• Spicy?: For fans of bold flavours, the spicy Chinese sausage is a must-try. The most famous is the Sichuan sausage, with its renowned mala (麻辣) flavour?: an explosive combination of chilli and Sichuan peppercorn that leaves a sensation in the mouth that is both spicy and delicately numbing.
• Mild and Aromatic?: Some recipes incorporate rice or grain alcohols, such as sorghum wine. The result?? Complex notes and a subtle sweetness that add real depth.

3. What meat?: pork, beef, or poultry??

While pork remains the undisputed star, other meats also shine?:

• Pork?: The base for most traditional sausages, prized for its rich flavour and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Beef?:Chinese beef sausage has more character, with a bolder flavour and a firmer chew. It's perfect with strong spices.
• Blends?: Ready-to-eat versions often combine pork and chicken for a finer texture and a more accessible taste.

Recommended Chinese Sausages

To help you make your choice, here are three products that perfectly illustrate the richness of this world.

Wanderfort Instant Ham Sausage 270?g

Why it stands out?: It's the very definition of convenience. Ready to be enjoyed straight out of the packet, it embodies the simplicity and comforting taste of the ham sausage found in many Asian households.

Key features?:

• Ready-to-eat, no cooking required.
• Firm and smooth texture thanks to a blend of pork and chicken.
• Flavourful and very versatile taste.
• Vacuum-sealed for optimal freshness.

Who is it for?? For students, busy professionals, and families. It's the ideal protein boost to level up instant noodles, fill a sandwich, or complete a lunch box.

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Laweiju Sorghum Wine Flavoured Grilled Sausage 500?g

Why it stands out?: This cook-before-eating sausage is a true experience. The addition of sorghum wine gives it a sweet and complex aroma that is released during cooking, setting it apart from more traditional recipes.

Key features?:

• A unique sweet-and-savoury profile, enhanced by the aromatic notes of sorghum wine (5?%).
• A rich composition with 60% pork for maximum juiciness.
• Ideal for pan-frying, grilling, or air frying for a crispy exterior and a tender centre.

Who is it for?? For barbecue fans and those curious about authentic Asian flavours who want a grilled Chinese sausage that's out of the ordinary.

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Laweiju Spicy & Numbing Grilled Sausage (Beef) 500?g

Why it stands out?: Warning: intense flavours ahead?! It captures the soul of Sichuan cuisine with its bold mala seasoning. Made with beef, it promises an intense flavour and an unforgettable experience.

Key features?:

• The authentic taste of Sichuan sausage: spicy and subtly numbing (mala).
• A high meat content with 80% beef.
• Perfect for electrifying a Chinese hot pot, grilled dishes, or stir-fries.
• Must be cooked before eating.

Who is it for?? For seasoned palates, lovers of Sichuan cuisine, and anyone who isn't afraid of a little heat. This is THE spicy Chinese sausage for a meal that leaves a lasting impression.

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Looking for other varieties??

Our selection is just a taste of the vast world of Asian sausages. If you're particularly drawn to ready-to-eat options, which are ideal for snacks and on-the-go meals, you should know there is a multitude of other variations to discover.

Explore our full range of ham sausages to find other gems that will satisfy all your cravings.

Discover more ham sausages

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do you cook Chinese sausage??

It all depends on the sausage?! Ready-to-eat versions can be enjoyed as they are. Raw or pre-cooked ones lend themselves to many preparations?:

• Steamed?: A traditional method that makes them tender and juicy.
• Pan-fried?: Sliced and sautéed until golden brown.
• Grilled?: Whole or in pieces, for a smoky flavour.
• As an ingredient?: Chopped or sliced in fried rice, stir-fried noodles, or a Chinese hot pot.

How do you store Chinese sausages??

The easiest way is to follow the instructions on the packaging. Frozen products (like those from Laweiju) should be stored at -18?°C. Ready-to-eat sausages (like Wanderfort) can be kept at room temperature before opening. Once the package is opened, place them in the refrigerator and consume them quickly.

What's the difference between Chinese sausage and chorizo??

Even though they are both types of dried sausage, they have almost nothing in common?! Chinese sausage gets its unique taste from ingredients like soy sauce, sugar, rice wine, or Sichuan peppercorn, creating a sweet-and-savoury or spicy (mala) profile. Chorizo, on the other hand, is of Iberian origin. It gets its red colour and smoky, spicy flavour from pimentón (paprika) and garlic. Their culinary uses are therefore radically different.