How to Write 熘 (liū) — Meaning “Quick-fry with cornstarch sauce”

Imagine a pan on fire (火) and you quickly stir-fry ingredients while pouring in a thick sauce that 'stays' (留) on the food. The right side 留 looks like a container holding sauce, and the fire radical reminds you of the high heat needed for this fast technique.

The fire radical 火 at left becomes a narrow, slightly compressed shape: the first two strokes are dots, then a small left-falling stroke, and a final left-falling stroke. The right side 留 has nine strokes; be careful to write the top part (卯-like) with a horizontal stroke, then a short left-falling stroke, and a dot inside, while the bottom part is 田 (field) with proper horizontal and vertical lines.

熘 means quick-frying with a cornstarch sauce, using liquid and high heat. 焙 (bèi) means to bake or dry over a slow fire, like roasting tea or coffee beans. 焚 (fén) means to burn or set on fire, often for destruction. Visually, 熘 has the right side 留, while 焙 has 咅 (pou, a sound component) and 焚 has 林 (forest) above fire.

You will see 熘 in menu items for dishes that are first fried or blanched, then quickly tossed in a thickened, flavorful sauce. Examples include 醋熘白菜 (vinegar-sautéed cabbage) and 熘鱼片 (sautéed fish slices). This method is common in northern Chinese cuisine, especially for tender meat or fish with a glossy, light sauce.

Common words containing 熘 include: 醋熘 (cù liū) — sauté with vinegar; 熘鱼片 (liū yú piàn) — Sautéed fish slices; 熘肉段 (liū ròu duàn) — Sautéed pork strips.