My favorite is not strictly a Chinese cookbook. It's Jeff Smith's
The Frugal Gourmet Cooks Three Ancient Cuisines He cooks Chinese, Roman and Greek. I love this book, probably my most used cookbook and the one that really launched me into cooking. You can tell from the stains.
It's a good thick paperback and a great deal at full price. It's seems to be out of print now, but used paperback copies are readily available for $2.00 plus shipping. (
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Oop...nInquiry%2Easp)
For so little money you get so much. No fancy pictures, just great food. I own two copies as one disappeared on loan for a while and I bought a replacement. ;Then the loaner came back. It's great to have a backup of a favorite.
It's surpassed all other chinese cookbooks I've tried, though I haven't tried those mentioned by others here. It's so cheap now you really must try it.
Phil