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Original poster

.. to want to share my Chinese 'fakeaway' tip with y'all

162 replies

Sabire9 · 08/07/2025 17:13

DS bought me a very badly produced recipe book published by a TikTok chef. The guy's family own a Chinese takeaway and the book details how to reproduce your typical takeaway dishes.

I'm always doing stir fries at home, and they're never quite right. However, I've now found out how to recreate noodles with the elusive Chinese takeaway taste at home. Basically you have to USE MSG, and specifically you have to BROWN OFF THE MSG in the hot oil before adding your noodles. Makes all the difference and I'm going to save bucks.

You're welcome.

OP posts:
sandwichlover93 · 08/07/2025 19:30

Wallabyone · 08/07/2025 17:25

What actually is MSG? I know it’s generally regarded as being very bad for you, but I don’t actually know what it is…
(I know-I will Google now…)

It’s not actually bad for you. It’s a rubbish lie that’s rooted in racism (not pinning this on you, I too only found this out a few years ago).

ThejoyofNC · 08/07/2025 19:30

I swear by MSG now, I buy it in an Asian supermarket.

Dimsimlim on tiktok is excellent, I've tried loads of his Chinese dishes now and they've all been delicious. His tips on velveting the meat etc are game changers.

hoarahloux · 08/07/2025 19:26

ForeverDelayedEpiphany · 08/07/2025 18:11

I'm not comfortable eating it. My subjective opinion is that some susceptible people are very sensitive to it, and that Chinese restaurant syndrome is genuine.

Show quote history

Don't eat tomatoes then!

PracticallyPeapod · 08/07/2025 19:25

ForeverDelayedEpiphany · 08/07/2025 18:11

I'm not comfortable eating it. My subjective opinion is that some susceptible people are very sensitive to it, and that Chinese restaurant syndrome is genuine.

Show quote history

This is not backed up by any evidence. You can of course avoid it if you wish, but there is absolutely no reason to do so.

AffIt · 08/07/2025 19:24

AndImBrit · 08/07/2025 18:43

I always make noodles with a chicken stock cube in the water for very similar reasons - much tastier noodles!

Show quote history

See also: couscous, freekeh, bulghur wheat etc.

Add stock along with boiling water, end result is so much better.

Kchs232 · 08/07/2025 19:23

Where do you buy it OP?

PracticallyPeapod · 08/07/2025 19:22

hillyandsteep · 08/07/2025 17:21

MSG just fills you up that’s why they use it in all you can eat because it expands in your stomach so you feel full quickly.

This is rubbish. It’s a flavour enhancer that’s all. You use about half a teaspoon.

ComtesseDeSpair · 08/07/2025 19:21

idontknowwhattodo1990 · 08/07/2025 18:37

What is the difference between salt and MSG?

I do remember a QI episode where they dispelled some myths on MSG including that it doesn't harden your arteries or make you more hungry an hour later.

Different chemical compositions in the sodium family. Salt is sodium chloride. MSG is monosodiumglutamate - it’s the glutamate aspect of the composition which brings the umami. Disodium ribonucleotides are a close cousin of MSG, and commonly added to things like crisps, bouillon, stock, and seasoning mixes - and why things like stock cubes and chicken / beef flavour crisps and pot noodles etc can be vegetarian whilst tasting “meaty.”

Frieda12 · 08/07/2025 19:21

I see this guy on instagram and I bought some MSG on his recommendation! Very tempted to get his book

MrsSethGecko · 08/07/2025 19:16

I love MSG. I buy mine either from the Chinese supermarket or the halal butcher with the spices and so on type places.
It's very handy to make tinned soup taste better.

ComtesseDeSpair · 08/07/2025 19:12

MarxistMags · 08/07/2025 19:05

Where can you buy it. We all need to know.

Any Chinese supermarket, if you live in or near a city or town of any decent size there should be one. Otherwise, Amazon.

MarxistMags · 08/07/2025 19:05

Where can you buy it. We all need to know.

EnjoythemoneyJane · 08/07/2025 18:59

Wallabyone · 08/07/2025 17:25

What actually is MSG? I know it’s generally regarded as being very bad for you, but I don’t actually know what it is…
(I know-I will Google now…)

Apparently not. Don’t know the origin of the rumours of carcinogens etc, but I’ve seen loads of stuff more recently debunking that completely. It’s basically a seasoning & thickening agent, no worse than salt 🤷‍♀️

AndImBrit · 08/07/2025 18:43

2catsandhappy · 08/07/2025 18:26

I have a tip for a fake-away. I have never read this anywhere. One day I was going to put Amoy noodles in hot water and also put in a tea bag of ginger and lemon. A left over and unwanted bag from a multi choice tea purchase.
The water went a little brown. I drained the noodles as instructions and fried as the recipe.
The noodles had a very nice, very subtle hint of ginger and lemon.

I do recomend it.

I always make noodles with a chicken stock cube in the water for very similar reasons - much tastier noodles!

idontknowwhattodo1990 · 08/07/2025 18:37

What is the difference between salt and MSG?

I do remember a QI episode where they dispelled some myths on MSG including that it doesn't harden your arteries or make you more hungry an hour later.

EveryOtherNameTaken · 08/07/2025 18:36

Fish sauce also makes a difference.

AffIt · 08/07/2025 18:35

ForeverDelayedEpiphany · 08/07/2025 18:11

I'm not comfortable eating it. My subjective opinion is that some susceptible people are very sensitive to it, and that Chinese restaurant syndrome is genuine.

Show quote history

Then that is your subjective opinion and you're very welcome to it, but science says you're wrong.

Snorlaxo · 08/07/2025 18:35

My tip is that Lucky Boat noodles is the brand most commonly used by takeaways and restaurants in the UK. They come in a bigger box than usual supermarket brands but are good for fakeaways.

2catsandhappy · 08/07/2025 18:26

I have a tip for a fake-away. I have never read this anywhere. One day I was going to put Amoy noodles in hot water and also put in a tea bag of ginger and lemon. A left over and unwanted bag from a multi choice tea purchase.
The water went a little brown. I drained the noodles as instructions and fried as the recipe.
The noodles had a very nice, very subtle hint of ginger and lemon.

I do recomend it.

ObliviousCoalmine · 08/07/2025 18:25

hillyandsteep · 08/07/2025 17:21

MSG just fills you up that’s why they use it in all you can eat because it expands in your stomach so you feel full quickly.

This is absolute nonsense by the way.

WhistlingStraits · 08/07/2025 18:17

My husband adds MSG to Chinese style dishes. They’re always extremely delicious.

Bananalanacake · 08/07/2025 18:13

Great, thanks, now tell us where to buy it.

FionnulaTheCooler · 08/07/2025 18:12

My favourite Chinese fakeaway is a bag of salt and chilli shredded chicken that you get in Iceland/Farmfoods with spring rolls and rice and a generous helping of mayflower curry sauce poured over it all.

ForeverDelayedEpiphany · 08/07/2025 18:11

AffIt · 08/07/2025 17:38

It's not bad for you - MSG (monosodium glutamate) is basically a synthetic compound that replicates the umami taste in foods such as mushrooms, tomatoes, soy sauce etc.

A vanishingly few people are genuinely sensitive to this (and presumably don't eat tomatoes or mushrooms either), but 'Chinese Restaurant Syndrome' has essentially been debunked as the bad and somewhat racist science it is.

The Rotten Science Behind the MSG Scare | Science History Institute

https://share.google/j7qCIma9zNOD1t97S

*Edited for bad linky

Edited
Show quote history

I'm not comfortable eating it. My subjective opinion is that some susceptible people are very sensitive to it, and that Chinese restaurant syndrome is genuine.

ForeverDelayedEpiphany · 08/07/2025 18:09

MSG isn't something I can eat. The glutamate molecules part of it makes my movement disorder symptoms worse, and i think it's something that once gave me the so-called "Chinese restaurant syndrome" after eating a lot of it at a Chinese restaurant (Funnily enough lol 😆).

I felt dreadful, really unwell, and had awful palpitations, felt like I was burning up inside, and became very restless and panicky. I had to pace around outside before I could feel better.

I hate the stuff 😒 I think it's a bit controversial, but some studies supposedly say it's a bit neurotoxic.

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