HowToCook vs AllRecipes for learning to cook

HowToCook offers structured, code-like recipes ideal for programmers who prefer logical steps, while AllRecipes has user reviews and photos but can be ambiguous. HowToCook is better for precise instructions, but lacks visual aids.

How to add my own recipe to HowToCook

You can contribute by forking the GitHub repository, modifying an existing recipe template, and submitting a pull request. The project encourages community contributions and provides a template for consistency.

Is HowToCook only in Chinese?

Yes, the primary content is in Chinese, focusing on Chinese cuisine. However, the project structure and deployment instructions are documented in English, making it accessible for technical users worldwide.

Can I download HowToCook recipes for offline use?

Yes, you can download a PDF version from the provided link or self-host the web service locally using Docker, as mentioned in the deployment section.

How reliable are the recipes on HowToCook?

Recipes are community-contributed, so quality may vary. However, the structured format and open-source nature allow for corrections and improvements over time.

HowToCook

UnlicenseDockerfile1.5.0

A community-driven, structured cooking guide for programmers, featuring precise recipes and kitchen tips.

Visit Website GitHub

99.6k stars10.9k forks0 contributors

What is HowToCook?

HowToCook is an open-source, community-driven cooking guide designed specifically for programmers. It provides clear, logically structured recipes to address the common frustration of poorly written online cooking instructions. The project organizes dishes by category and difficulty, includes essential kitchen tips, and is available as a self-hostable web service or PDF.

Target Audience

Programmers, developers, and technically-minded individuals who cook at home and prefer precise, unambiguous instructions. It's also valuable for anyone seeking well-organized Chinese recipes and cooking fundamentals.

Value Proposition

Developers choose HowToCook because it treats recipes like code—structured, version-controlled, and community-reviewed. It eliminates the ambiguity of traditional recipes and offers a comprehensive, growing collection maintained by contributors.

Overview

程序员在家做饭方法指南。Programmer's guide about how to cook at home (Simplified Chinese only).

Use Cases

Best For

Programmers learning to cook with clear, step-by-step instructions

Related Projects

Community-curated · Updated weekly · 100% open source

Found a gem we're missing?

Open-Awesome is built by the community, for the community. Submit a project, suggest an awesome list, or help improve the catalog on GitHub.

Submit a project Star on GitHub

Finding structured Chinese recipes categorized by difficulty and type

Self-hosting a personal cooking guide web service

Contributing to or using a community-driven recipe repository

Learning fundamental kitchen techniques and food safety

Accessing a downloadable, offline PDF of curated recipes

Not Ideal For

Cooks who prefer recipe blogs with personal stories and visual step-by-step photos
Individuals seeking extensive coverage of Western or non-Asian cuisines
Users wanting integrated nutritional information or allergy filters

Pros & Cons

Pros

Structured Recipe Format

Recipes are written in a clear, step-by-step manner with explicit ingredients lists, avoiding the ambiguity common in online recipes, as described in the project's philosophy.

Community-Driven Curation

The project is open-source and encourages contributions, leading to a growing and diverse collection of recipes maintained by users, evidenced by the GitHub contributor badge and contribution guidelines.

Multiple Access Formats

Offers both a self-hostable web service via Docker and a downloadable PDF, providing flexibility for online and offline use, as shown in the deployment instructions.

Difficulty-Based Indexing

Dishes are categorized by a 1-5 star difficulty system, helping users choose recipes appropriate for their skill level, as listed in the '按难度索引' section.

Cons

Limited Language Support

The recipes are primarily in Chinese, which may pose a barrier for non-Chinese speakers, as seen in the README where all recipe titles and content are in Chinese characters.

Absence of Visual Aids

There are no images or videos accompanying the recipes, which can make techniques like chopping or frying harder to visualize for beginners, a common feature missing compared to other cooking sites.

Inconsistent Recipe Quality

Being community-contributed, the accuracy and detail of recipes can vary, with no strict editorial review process mentioned in the contribution guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Food

the-bread-code

Learn how to master the art of baking the programmer way.

Stars4,131

Forks182

Last commit3 months ago

pizza-dough

This recipe is dedicated to helping you make the best possible pizza dough for Neapolitan pizza.

Stars3,632

Forks188

Last commit3 months ago

the-sourdough-framework

Open source book dedicated to helping you to make the best possible sourdough bread at home.

Stars3,517

Forks181

Last commit1 month ago

El Fuego Viviente Chili Open Sauce

Fermented Chili "Open Sauce" - My most starred repo has no code in it!

Stars1,739

Forks69

Last commit3 years ago