Savoring Delights: Best Chinese Sweet and Sour Premixed Masalas in Pakistan

Sweet and sour chicken is widely enjoyed by everyone in Pakistan. It is made with chicken thighs coated in cornstarch and deep fried. The crispy chicken pieces are then tossed in tomato curry.

It has sweet and sour flavoring as the name already suggests. I like to pair it up with vegetable fried rice. The great thing is it is really easy to make and takes only 30 minutes to be fully prepared and garnished.

My secret ingredient in making a scrumptious Sweet and Sour Chicken Curry is using a pre-mixed Sweet and Sour Masala. It brings out a balanced of sweet and sour flavors to the curry and well, makes a very consistent sweet and sour chicken. 

And to find the one that provides me with that well-balanced flavor, I looked from aisle to aisle picking all the available options. I tried the following brands to find the best one.

I have also rated the following based on availability, packaging, and additives information.

My Take on Chinese Sweet and Sour Premixed Masalas

Shan Chinese Sweet and Sour 

Shan Sweet and Sour Chicken is spicy, sour, and delicious. The spice level can be adjusted to suit your preferences, but it always tastes great. 

I have been using the packets for a long time and have never had a bad experience because they’re easy to use.

It is also widely available and has a long shelf life of six months plus.

O’real Chinese Sweet and Sour Recipe Mix 

National Sweet and Sour Chicken has a mildly spicy flavor, which is perfect for spice-sensitive people or those who prefer to have less heat on their tongues. 

It creates an aromatic, sweet, and spicy sauce that is tangy – it’s one of my favorite curry dishes! It’s served with rice and tastes best when eaten hot. 

The great thing is it comes in good packaging which gives it a six plus month shelf life. The only downside is that it is not as widely available. 

Things I Look for Before Buying My Sweet and Sour Chicken

Packaging

My top priority is securing food and drinks so that they’re not just safe- but delicious. For this, I ensure that the packaging is airtight for freshness and flavor!

Some of these brands offer sub-par packaging that ruins the mixed spices before the expiry date is due and may cause serious health issues. 

Availability

I would never shop at a faraway store just to buy spices. So, it is important for me that it is available at my nearby local grocery store

FAQs

What is Chinese sweet and sour chicken made of?

Sweet and sour chicken is made with chicken thighs coated in cornstarch and deep fried. The crispy chicken pieces are then tossed in tomato curry.

Is sweet and sour chicken the same as orange Chicken?

Orange chicken and Sweet and Sour chicken are made with similar ingredients but there is a stark difference when it comes to them. 

Orange chicken typically has a sweeter flavor, almost tangy and they sometimes have the zing of spice in them. 

Sweet and sour chicken is more balanced in flavors with subtle hints of sweetness and sourness that complement each other very well.

What do you eat sweet and sour chicken with?

Sweet and sour chicken can be paired with boiled or steamed rice or even vegetable fried rice. Surprisingly, it tastes really well with hot naan, too.