chinoises

Chinoises is the feminine plural form of the French adjective and noun chinois, used to refer to women from China or to things described as Chinese. In French, chinoise can function as an ethnic or cultural descriptor and appears in demographic, cultural, or descriptive contexts. Like other nationality terms, its precise meaning depends on the noun it modifies, and it is typically used in neutral or informative language.

In culinary French, the related term chinois designates a conical mesh strainer used to strain sauces, stocks, and purées. The device is usually referred to as un chinois (masculine), and the accompanying term passoire chinoise is common in recipes. The feminine form chinoise exists as the gendered form of the nationality adjective, but it is not standard for naming the kitchen tool itself.

The expression à la chinoise is used in cooking to indicate a Chinese-style preparation. Its exact meaning can vary by recipe and chef, ranging from ingredients prepared in a Chinese culinary manner to dishes presented in a style associated with Chinese cuisine. While chinoises can appear in general language to describe Chinese women or things related to China, culinary usage typically relies on chinois or passoire chinoise for the equipment, and on the phrase à la chinoise for stylistic references.