A wok cook works with two tools. The ladle, called a hoak in Cantonese, is a shallow steel bowl on a long handle: it scoops oil into the pan, adds stock and sauce, pushes food up the sides and serves it. The spatula, the chuan, is a wide shovel with a curved front edge that follows the bowl of the wok and turns food over in one sweep. Ordinary kitchen spoons and turners are too short and too flat for a 14-inch wok over high heat.
This guide is for cooks who already have a wok and need the tools to go with it. It covers eight ladles, spatulas and sets from Yosukata, Craft Wok, Wok Shop, New Star Foodservice, Mammafong and Joyce Chen: stainless steel, carbon steel, forged iron and bamboo, with steel or wooden handles. For each we list length, material, handle, scoop or head size and care, as the maker or the Amazon listing gives them. If your wok is nonstick, the material matters most, so we flag it on every pick.
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Quick verdict: which wok ladle to buy
For most cooks with a 13- or 14-inch steel wok, the best wok ladle comes paired with a spatula: the Yosukata 17-inch stainless steel spatula and ladle set. Both are one-piece 304 stainless steel, long enough to keep your hand out of the steam, and the listing says they are dishwasher safe. If you want wooden handles that stay cooler to hold, choose the Craft Wok ladle and spatula set, with a 170 ml ladle and an 11 cm spatula head. For a nonstick wok, skip metal entirely and use the Joyce Chen 15-inch bamboo wok spatula.
The table compares the five tools we would point most cooks toward. All eight are reviewed in full after it.
Five wok tools side by side
One pick for each kind of cook, with material and handle as each maker or listing gives them.
| Wok tool | Best for | Material | Length and handle | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A 13- to 14-inch steel wok | 304 stainless steel, one piece | 17 inches; steel handle | View on Amazon | |
Craft Wok Ladle and Spatula Set with Wooden HandlesBest wooden handles
|
Long sessions at the wok | 1.0 mm stainless steel | About 17 inches; wooden handles | View on Amazon |
Yosukata 17-inch Blue Carbon Steel Wok Spatula and Ladle SetBest carbon steel
|
Cooks who like seasoned steel | Pre-seasoned carbon steel | 17 inches; steel handle | View on Amazon |
New Star Foodservice 3-Piece Stainless Steel Wok Utensil SetBest restaurant set
|
Deep-frying and broths too | Commercial-grade stainless steel | About 16 to 17 inches; wood handles | View on Amazon |
Joyce Chen 15-inch Burnished Bamboo Wok SpatulaBest for nonstick woks
|
Nonstick and new seasoning | Burnished bamboo | 15 inches; bamboo throughout | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Lengths, materials and care are as stated by each maker or Amazon listing; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best wok ladle and spatula, reviewed
Every tool below lists the same eight specifications. Where a maker does not give a figure, we say so rather than guess. None of these picks repeat the woks in our best wok guide; this page is about what goes in the pan, not the pan itself.
1. Yosukata 17-inch Stainless Steel Wok Spatula and Ladle Set – One-Piece Steel, Long Reach
Yosukata sells woks first and tools second, and this pair is cut for the pans it sells. You get one ladle and one spatula, each 17 inches long and made from 304 stainless steel. The listing describes them as solid, one-piece tools, so there is no rivet or glued joint between the head and the handle to work loose after years of scraping a hot wok.
Seventeen inches is the length that matters here. Yosukata says the pair is sized for 13- to 14-inch woks and larger, and on a pan that size the extra reach keeps your knuckles out of the steam when you add stock or splash soy sauce down the side. The ladle is the one you will reach for most: a scoop of oil to start, a scoop of broth to loosen noodles, then a few scoops to plate.
The handles are stainless too, which Yosukata says use a “cold-grip” design to limit heat transfer, and each has a hole for hanging. The listing title says the set is dishwasher safe, which is handy after a greasy stir-fry, although hand washing keeps the satin finish looking its best. The scoop volume and the width of the spatula head are not stated.
Why we like it
- Both tools are one-piece 304 stainless steel, according to the listing.
- At 17 inches, Yosukata sizes them for 13- to 14-inch woks and larger.
- The listing title says they are dishwasher safe.
- Hanging holes in both handles.
Key specifications
| Model | Not stated |
|---|---|
| Pieces | Ladle and spatula |
| Length | 17 inches each |
| Material | 304 stainless steel |
| Handle | Stainless steel, one piece with the head |
| Scoop or head size | Not stated |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes (listing title) |
| Best wok size | 13 to 14 inches or larger |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook with a carbon steel or stainless wok who wants one durable pair that can go in the dishwasher and hang by the stove.
Skip it if your wok is nonstick: steel tools can scratch a coating, and a bamboo spatula is the safer choice.
Pros and cons
Pros
- One-piece construction, no joint to loosen
- Long enough for a 14-inch wok
- Dishwasher safe per the listing
Cons
- Steel handles can warm up over a long cook
- Scoop size not stated
- Not for nonstick woks
2. Craft Wok Ladle and Spatula Set with Wooden Handles – A Cooler Grip in the Steam
Craft Wok is best known for hand-hammered carbon steel woks, and this set is the traditional pairing that goes with them: a stainless steel ladle and spatula on wooden handles. Wood stays cooler to hold than steel when the wok has been roaring for ten minutes, and it gives a little more grip when your hand is damp.
The listing is unusually specific. The ladle is 1.0 mm thick stainless steel with a 170 ml scoop, about 17 inches (43 cm) long. The spatula is about 17 inches (42.5 cm) long with an 11 cm wide head, wide enough to lift a good portion of rice or vegetables in each turn. Craft Wok says the pair suits 13-, 14- and 16-inch woks.
A 170 ml scoop holds a little under three-quarters of a cup, which is a useful measure: one ladle of stock for a pan of noodles, or a measured splash of oil at the start. Care instructions and dishwasher use are not stated; as with any wooden handle, hand washing and drying is the safe habit. Craft Wok also sells the same pair with stainless handles (model 732W326) if you prefer an all-metal tool.
Why we like it
- The ladle holds 170 ml, according to Craft Wok’s listing.
- The spatula head is 11 cm wide.
- Made from 1.0 mm thick stainless steel.
- Sized for 13- to 16-inch woks.
Key specifications
| Model | 732W325 |
|---|---|
| Pieces | Ladle and spatula |
| Length | About 17 inches (43 cm ladle, 42.5 cm spatula) |
| Material | 1.0 mm stainless steel |
| Handle | Wood |
| Scoop or head size | 170 ml ladle; 11 cm spatula head |
| Dishwasher safe | Not stated |
| Best wok size | 13, 14 and 16 inches |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook with a traditional carbon steel wok who wants the classic hoak and chuan with a handle that is comfortable to hold through a long cook.
Skip it if you want to put your tools in the dishwasher, since the listing gives no dishwasher guidance for the wooden handles.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Scoop and head sizes clearly stated
- Wooden handles for a cooler grip
- Fits woks up to 16 inches
Cons
- Care and dishwasher use not stated
- Wood handles need drying after washing
3. Yosukata 17-inch Blue Carbon Steel Wok Spatula and Ladle Set – Seasoned Steel Plus Chopsticks
Some cooks want their tools to match their wok: carbon steel that darkens and seasons with use, like the pan. Yosukata’s blue carbon steel set is that option. The 17-inch spatula and ladle are one-piece carbon steel, pre-seasoned at the factory, and the set adds three pairs of wooden cooking chopsticks in 11.8, 13 and 14.2 inches for frying and turning.
Carbon steel asks for the same care as a carbon steel wok. Yosukata says the tools still need seasoning before first use and includes a step-by-step guide. They are hand wash only: wash, wipe dry straight away and they should not rust. Skip that step and they will, which is the main reason to choose stainless instead if you prefer to toss tools in the sink and walk away.
In return you get tools that are, in Yosukata’s words, well-balanced and not too heavy, with hand-polished handles and notches for hanging. Like the stainless pair above, they are sized for 13- to 14-inch woks and larger. Scoop volume and head width are not stated.
Why we like it
- One-piece carbon steel spatula and ladle, according to Yosukata.
- Pre-seasoned, with a seasoning guide in the box.
- Three pairs of wooden chopsticks are included.
- Handles have notches for hanging.
Key specifications
| Model | 1213 |
|---|---|
| Pieces | Ladle, spatula and three pairs of chopsticks |
| Length | 17 inches (tools) |
| Material | Pre-seasoned blue carbon steel |
| Handle | Carbon steel, one piece with the head |
| Scoop or head size | Not stated |
| Dishwasher safe | No; hand wash and dry |
| Best wok size | 13 to 14 inches or larger |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook who already looks after a carbon steel wok and wants tools that season the same way.
Skip it if you want low-maintenance tools; carbon steel must be dried after every wash or it will rust.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Matches a carbon steel wok
- Chopsticks included
- One-piece construction
Cons
- Needs seasoning before first use
- Hand wash only, rusts if left wet
- Not for nonstick woks
4. New Star Foodservice 3-Piece Stainless Steel Wok Utensil Set – Adds a Perforated Ladle
New Star Foodservice sells to restaurants, and this set is built along the same lines: commercial-grade stainless steel heads on light wooden handles. What makes it different from the pairs above is the third piece, a perforated ladle. It is the tool for lifting stir-fried food out of oil, scooping fried pieces from a deep wok or fishing bones out of a broth while the liquid drains back into the pan.
The listing gives approximate lengths for each tool: the spatula is about 17.1 inches, the solid ladle about 16.1 inches and the perforated ladle about 17.3 inches. New Star describes the spatula as shaped to the curve of the wok, and the solid ladle as the tool for adding oil a little at a time as you cook so the first ingredients are not swimming in it.
New Star says every piece is dishwasher safe but recommends hand washing and hand drying for best results, which is sensible with wooden handles. Scoop volume and spatula width are not stated. If you deep-fry in your wok, or use it for soup as often as stir-fries, the third tool is the reason to choose this set.
Why we like it
- Includes a perforated ladle for draining oil or broth.
- Commercial-grade stainless steel, according to New Star.
- All three are about 16 to 17 inches long.
- Dishwasher safe, with hand washing recommended.
Key specifications
| Model | Not stated |
|---|---|
| Pieces | Spatula, solid ladle, perforated ladle |
| Length | About 17.1, 16.1 and 17.3 inches |
| Material | Commercial-grade stainless steel |
| Handle | Light wood |
| Scoop or head size | Not stated |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes; hand washing recommended |
| Best wok size | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook who uses the wok for deep-frying and broths as well as stir-fries and wants a full restaurant-style set in one box.
Skip it if you only stir-fry; the perforated ladle will sit in the drawer and a two-piece set will do.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Three tools, including a strainer ladle
- Wooden handles
- From a restaurant-supply maker
Cons
- Lengths given only as approximate
- No scoop size or wok size stated
5. Joyce Chen 15-inch Burnished Bamboo Wok Spatula – Safe on Nonstick
Steel tools belong with steel woks. If your wok is nonstick, or your carbon steel wok is new and its seasoning still thin, a bamboo spatula is the gentler choice. Joyce Chen, a long-standing name in home wok cooking, says this 15-inch bamboo spatula is gentle on both nonstick and seasoned surfaces.
The front edge is curved to follow the sides of a traditional wok, which also helps it reach into the corners of a flat-bottom pan. The bamboo is burnished, a finish Joyce Chen says resists heat and moisture so the tool lasts longer. It is dishwasher safe according to the listing, and Joyce Chen backs it with a lifetime limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship, with repair or replacement rather than refunds.
There is no bamboo ladle here, and that is the honest limit of the pick: bamboo makes a good spatula, but for scooping liquid you will still want a ladle. If you cook on nonstick, pair this with a silicone or nylon ladle from our guide to the best ladle. Helen’s Asian Kitchen sells a similar 13.5-inch bamboo spatula, noted in our method section.
Why we like it
- Joyce Chen says it is gentle on nonstick and seasoned cookware.
- The curved edge follows the sides of a wok.
- Dishwasher safe, according to the listing.
- Lifetime limited warranty from Joyce Chen.
Key specifications
| Model | 33-2015 |
|---|---|
| Pieces | Spatula only |
| Length | 15 inches |
| Material | Burnished bamboo |
| Handle | Bamboo, one piece |
| Scoop or head size | Not stated |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes (listing) |
| Best wok size | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone cooking in a nonstick wok, or breaking in a new carbon steel wok, who needs a long spatula that will not scrape the surface.
Skip it if you want a ladle; this is a spatula only, and at 15 inches it is shorter than the steel tools here.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Safe on nonstick, per Joyce Chen
- Curved to fit the wok
- Lifetime limited warranty
Cons
- No ladle included
- Shorter than the 17-inch steel tools
6. Wok Shop 17-inch Stainless Hand-Tooled Hoak – A Single Ladle from a Wok Specialist
The Wok Shop is a wok and cookware store on Grant Avenue in San Francisco, and this is its home-use hoak sold on Amazon. It is a single ladle, not a set, which suits a cook who already owns a spatula they like, or who wants a second ladle so one can stay in the sauce while the other works the wok.
The Amazon listing says only what its title says: a 17-inch, stainless steel, hand-tooled ladle for home use. It gives no scoop size, handle material or care advice, so check the photos before you buy. On its own website, the Wok Shop sells stainless wok ladles with deep round bowls and wooden handles, labeled for home and commercial use, in sizes from 17 to 20 inches long (it lists the 17-inch size as best for a 14-inch wok), but we cannot confirm from the listing that this is the same tool.
Seventeen inches is the same reach as the Yosukata and Craft Wok ladles above, so it will work in a 14-inch wok. We include it because the Wok Shop is a wok specialist; we rank it below the sets because its listing tells you so little.
Why we like it
- Sold by a dedicated wok store.
- Seventeen inches long, per the listing title.
- Hand-tooled stainless steel, per the listing title.
Key specifications
| Model | Not stated |
|---|---|
| Pieces | Ladle only |
| Length | 17 inches |
| Material | Stainless steel, hand-tooled |
| Handle | Not stated |
| Scoop or head size | Not stated |
| Dishwasher safe | Not stated |
| Best wok size | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook who has a spatula already and wants one traditional stainless hoak from a wok specialist.
Skip it if you want to know the scoop size and handle material before you buy; the listing does not give them.
Pros and cons
Pros
- From a wok specialist store
- Seventeen-inch reach
- Buy only the piece you need
Cons
- Listing gives almost no specifications
- No spatula included
7. Craft Wok Small Stainless Steel Wok Ladle – Sized for 12- to 13-inch Woks
A 17-inch ladle is a lot of tool for a 12-inch wok. Craft Wok makes this smaller hoak for exactly that pan: the listing says it is designed for 12- to 13-inch woks, with a total length of 16.5 inches (42 cm) and a 125 ml scoop, 10 cm across.
That smaller bowl is easier to control in a small pan and doubles as a portion measure: 125 ml is just over half a cup. It is the same 1.0 mm stainless steel as Craft Wok’s larger set, on a wooden handle Craft Wok describes as ergonomic. If you cook for one or two in a compact wok, or in a flat-bottom wok on a home burner, this is the size that fits.
It is sold alone, so pair it with a spatula. Dishwasher use and care are not stated; hand wash and dry the wooden handle. Cooks with 14-inch or larger woks will be better served by the full-size pair at number two.
Why we like it
- Craft Wok designed it for 12- to 13-inch woks.
- The 125 ml scoop is stated on the listing.
- 1.0 mm stainless steel with a wooden handle.
Key specifications
| Model | 732W6-1 |
|---|---|
| Pieces | Ladle only |
| Length | 16.5 inches (42 cm) |
| Material | 1.0 mm stainless steel |
| Handle | Wood |
| Scoop or head size | 125 ml; 10 cm diameter |
| Dishwasher safe | Not stated |
| Best wok size | 12 to 13 inches |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook with a 12- or 13-inch wok who finds full-size tools clumsy.
Skip it if your wok is 14 inches or larger; the small bowl will slow you down.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Right size for smaller woks
- Scoop volume stated
- Wooden handle
Cons
- Ladle only, no spatula
- Care not stated
8. Mammafong Hand-Forged Iron Wok Spatula – Thick, Pre-Seasoned Iron
Mammafong sells hand-hammered carbon steel woks, and this is its forged spatula, or chuan, made to match. The listing says it is hand made from 2.1 mm thick wrought iron, the thickest metal of any tool here, and comes pre-seasoned with a blue-grey protective layer sealed with natural oils at high heat.
It is one piece, so there is no handle to loosen, and it has a hole for hanging. Mammafong says it is shaped to the curve of its 12- and 14-inch woks and gives enough distance to keep your hand away from the heat while flipping food. Care is the same as for a carbon steel wok: wash in warm water, never soak, hand wash only and wipe dry thoroughly to prevent rust.
One caution about the listing: the title calls this a spatula (chuan), but several of its bullet points say “ladle” and “hoak”. Look at the photos to be sure the shape is what you want. Overall length is not stated. Cooks who like heavy, traditional tools will find this one satisfying; anyone who wants low maintenance should choose stainless.
Why we like it
- Hand forged from 2.1 mm thick wrought iron, according to Mammafong.
- Pre-seasoned before it ships.
- One piece, with a hanging hole.
Key specifications
| Model | Not stated |
|---|---|
| Pieces | Spatula only |
| Length | Not stated |
| Material | 2.1 mm wrought iron, pre-seasoned |
| Handle | Iron, one piece with the head |
| Scoop or head size | Not stated |
| Dishwasher safe | No; hand wash, never soak |
| Best wok size | 12 and 14 inches (Mammafong woks) |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook with a hand-hammered carbon steel wok who wants a heavy, traditional forged spatula that seasons with the pan.
Skip it if you want a tool you can leave wet in the sink; forged iron will rust.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Thickest metal in this guide
- Pre-seasoned
- One-piece construction
Cons
- Listing mixes “spatula” and “ladle”
- Length not stated
- Hand wash and dry every time
How to choose a ladle and spatula for your wok
1. Match the length to the wok
Most full-size wok tools are about 17 inches long, and the makers here size them for 13- to 16-inch woks. For a 12- or 13-inch wok, a 16.5-inch tool like Craft Wok’s small ladle is easier to control. Too short and your hand sits in the steam; too long and the tool levers awkwardly in a small pan.
2. Stainless, carbon steel, iron or bamboo
Stainless steel is the easy choice: it does not rust and some sets are dishwasher safe. Carbon steel and forged iron season like a wok and are prized by traditional cooks, but they must be dried after every wash. Bamboo is the material for nonstick woks and new seasoning; it will not scrape a coating, but it makes a spatula, not a ladle.
3. Metal tools and nonstick woks
A steel ladle or spatula can scratch a nonstick coating. If your wok is nonstick, follow its maker’s advice on utensils and use bamboo, wood, nylon or silicone. Carbon steel and cast iron woks are built for metal tools; the scraping helps more than it harms.
4. Wood handle or metal handle
Wooden handles stay cooler and give a surer grip, but they need hand washing and drying. One-piece metal tools have no joint to loosen and can often go in the dishwasher, but the handle warms up during a long cook. Neither is wrong; it comes down to how you clean up.
5. Scoop size
The ladle’s bowl doubles as a measure. Craft Wok states 170 ml for its full-size ladle and 125 ml for its small one. A larger scoop moves stock and sauce faster; a smaller one gives more control over oil.
6. Set or single tool
Buy a set if you are starting out. Buy single pieces if you already own one tool you like, or want a second ladle so one can stay in a sauce. A perforated ladle, as in the New Star set, is worth having if you deep-fry in the wok.
How we chose these eight wok tools
We started from what a kitchen wants at the wok: enough reach to keep hands out of the heat, a ladle bowl and spatula edge that follow the curve of the pan, and a material that suits the wok underneath. We searched Amazon for wok ladles, wok spatulas and hoak and chuan sets sold in the United States, checked stock for each with Amazon’s product data, and kept only in-stock tools from identifiable makers. Town Food Service’s wok ladle and Sunrise Kitchen Supply’s commercial ladles were low on stock, and Helen’s Asian Kitchen’s 15-inch bamboo spatula was too; Helen’s 13.5-inch bamboo spatula was in stock but close to the Joyce Chen pick, so we kept one bamboo tool. Winco sells excellent ladles but none we found were made for a wok. We passed over the many unbranded 17-inch steel sets that look alike. None of the woks from our wok guides appear here. Specifications come from the Amazon listings, with the Wok Shop’s own store pages used where noted; where none gave a figure, we wrote “Not stated.” We searched cpsc.gov in October 2026 and found no recall listed for Yosukata, Craft Wok, Joyce Chen, Mammafong, the Wok Shop or New Star Foodservice; check the CPSC site before you buy. We have not cooked with these tools for this guide.
Wok ladle questions, answered
What is the best wok ladle?
For a steel wok, the Yosukata 17-inch stainless set: a one-piece 304 stainless ladle and spatula that the listing says are dishwasher safe. For wooden handles and a stated 170 ml scoop, choose the Craft Wok set.
What is the best ladle for a wok if it is nonstick?
Do not use steel. Use a bamboo spatula like the Joyce Chen, and pair it with a silicone or nylon ladle. Check your wok maker’s utensil advice.
What is the difference between a wok ladle and a regular ladle?
A wok ladle has a shallower, wider bowl set at an angle on a long handle, so it can push and toss food against the curve of the wok as well as scoop liquid. A soup ladle has a deep bowl for serving and is too upright to stir-fry with.
Do I need both a wok ladle and a spatula?
Traditional wok cooks use both: the spatula turns and lifts, the ladle adds liquid and pushes food. If you buy one, start with a set like the Yosukata or Craft Wok and you will have both.
Should a wok ladle be stainless or carbon steel?
Stainless if you want easy care; carbon steel if you want tools that season like your wok and do not mind drying them every time.
Our final pick for the wok drawer
Buy the Yosukata stainless spatula and ladle if you want one durable pair for a steel wok. Choose the Craft Wok set for wooden handles and stated scoop sizes, the Yosukata carbon steel set if your tools should season like your pan, the New Star set if you also fry and simmer in the wok, and the Joyce Chen bamboo spatula for nonstick. The Wok Shop hoak, the Craft Wok small ladle and the Mammafong forged spatula fill the gaps: a single ladle, a smaller wok and a heavy traditional chuan.
To choose the pan these tools go in, start with our guide to the best wok, then see the best wok burner for real wok heat outdoors or the best wok for an induction cooktop indoors. If you are still deciding whether you need a wok at all, read wok vs pan, and for the high-heat techniques behind fajitas and stir-fries, see our guide to Mexican cooking methods. Or let someone else work the fire: see the menu or call to order.