There are a few ways to make this and each takeaway/takeout shop and restaurant will have slightly different ingredients. But not by much and I will tell you a few ways the takeaways do it before telling you my way. This is called a few things: Salt Pepper, Salt Chilli, Salt Chilli Pepper, and Spice Mix to name a few. Click here for our version.
The first is the most simplest and consists of few ingredients that most house holds can get hold of or already have available.
Home-style
- 2-3 TBS – Salt (Raw)
- 1/2 TS – Spoon Chinese 5 Spice (Normal Supermarkets)
- 1/2 TS – White pepper (Used more then black pepper in takeaways)
- Chilli Powder or Chilli Flakes
This first mix is used by and is for homemade style cooking. The local takeaway will not do it this way or if they do, it will not have that true flavour that you’re after. Thats because of a few reasons, first being they use infamous, the notorious, the one, the only Monosodium Glutamate (MSG). If you would like me to do an article on this a little more in-depth, let us know via any the socials and emails. But its safe and is always used in moderation, or should be. Just like anything else such as salt. This mix is simple and effective enough, although if you don’t use MSG then if your trying to create Chinese takeaway or restaurant style then it cant be achieved. You would be lying to yourself if you think you can. Bellow are images links to what I use and takeaways use to sprinkle the mix over the food. They are sugar/flour shakers. Its cheaper to buy the double or triple pack
£5.79
£7.99
£6.75
There is also spice mixes that you can buy from the supermarket that are already made. I don’t like these that much but they can be handy and help elevate or lift a dish. Some can be found on amazon.
MISTER MARINADE Chinese Salt & Chilli Pepper Seasoning 250g
£5.49 ——
Mister Marinade Chinese Salt & Chilli Pepper Seasoning 2.5kg Red Tub
£17
Takeaway/Restaurant-style
- 2-3 TBS – Salt (Cooked)
- 1 TB – MSG
- 1 TB Sugar
- 1/2 TS – Spoon Chinese 5 Spice (Chinese Supermarket)
- 1/2 TS – White pepper
- Chilli Powder or Chilli Flakes
- Sometimes Garlic granules/powder to taste
Lets start of with the first thing people noticed in the first list. “salt (raw)”. In good Chinese restaurants and takeaways they actually cook the salt. It takes away the sharpness and tang from it. So this step is done first, and its simple. Cook the salt for a few minutes on a low flame, in dry pan stirring constantly. This actually gets pretty hot very quick so be careful. This should take 5 or so minutes and your done when the salt is a grey colour and let it cool completely.
cook on a low heat until grey 
The cooked salt is grey
When the salt is cooled completely then the other ingredients can be added, otherwise the sugar and salt will combine and burn. Often in takeaways they like to balance out dishes, even if it has or should have a predominant flavour. Thats why sugar is added, but its used at the end, when the other elements of the dish are cooked. That way the sugar doesn’t burn. And this gives some balance to the dish, as often with this spice mix there will be even more salt and MSG within the dish when cooking the meat or vegetables for example.
Chinese 5 Spice from ordinary Supermarkets aren’t as good or of a high quality compared to the ones you can get in Asian/Chinese market stores. These stores are always worth a visit and buy some high quality products.
If you would like to buy MSG click on one of the Image links.
£3.99
£1.99
£1.29
Top Notch Food’s- Version(s)
Our version at TNF is the same as the Takeout/Restaurant style but with some extra twits to shake it up a Notch and level. We like to play around with different elements of dishes and spices, and you should too. You never know what you’d love or like. Bellow are two versions, but if were honest. It changes each time, keeping a few elements the same and swapping out others.
Version 1
- 3 TBS – Salt (Cooked)
- 1 TB – MSG
- 1 TB Sugar
- 1/2 – 1/3 TS – Spoon Chinese 5 Spice (Chinese Supermarket)
- 1/2 TS – White pepper
- 1/2 Cayenne or Kashmir Chilli (For extra spice)
- 1 TS Garlic Pepper mix (Black Pepper and Garlic )
- 1/3 TS Paprika (colour and subtle taste)
This is the most used version that is a main stay in the kitchen. Though often its not full Table spoons of MSG and Sugar because of the way we cook Salt Pepper chicken and use the mix twice in that dish. We also make it to taste, sometimes adjustments need made depending how we feel.
Version 2
- 3 TBS – Salt (Cooked)
- 1 TB – MSG
- 1 TB Sugar
- 1/2 TS – Spoon Chinese 5 Spice (Chinese Supermarket)
- 1/3 TS – White pepper
- 1/2 Cayenne or Kashmir Chilli (For extra spice)
- 1/2 TS Garlic Pepper mix (Black Pepper and Garlic )
- 1/4 TS Paprika (colour and subtle taste)
- To taste ~1/4 TS – Sumac
Sumac is a Lemon earthy flavoured spice, which works great We use 1/4 -1/2 TS of it but its best added to taste. Lemon Pepper can be used instead of Garlic Pepper or sumac.
Anything can be added to the mix really, depending on what you like. Curry powder is another example.
The image above is the standard Chinese Mix made in house.
Sumac £3.25
Sumac £9.90
£5.79
How do you make yours?
Let us know how you make your special spice mix and what flavours you look for within it. Give the recipe a go and you’ll not be disappointed.
Thanks for reading, happy eating!
-Top Notch Foods- 