Chinese have one of the most popular culinary heritage globally, so be rest assured that there are several types of Chinese food you can go for any time you visit the country.
A traditional Chinese dinner consists of carbohydrates or starch, such as noodles, rice, buns, vegetables, fish, meat stir-fries, or meals.
Fresh veggies like mushrooms, water chestnuts, bamboo, and even tofu are used extensively. In North China, wheat-based noodles and steamed buns are popular, but rice is popular in South China.
The short-grain sticky rice, grown all over Southern China, is incredibly delicious. Furthermore, Each dish aims to balance three factors: look, scent, and flavor.
They put a lot of emphasis on the food’s visual face, using a variety of colors. Fish sauce, five-spice powder, soy sauce, oyster sauce, vinegar, root garlic, fresh ginger, and other spices and seasonings are used liberally to create a complex flavor and aroma.
Because China is such a large country, regional cuisines range significantly due to variances in climate, history, local foods, dining habits, etc.
1. Dim Sum
One of the most popular street foods from the northeast, widespread throughout northern India, is now available at your home! Veggie or meat-stuffed little bite-sized rounds. Dimsums spices are a delicious steamed snack to satisfy those late-night desires.
2. Hot and sour soup
Isn’t it wonderful to curl up with a steaming bowl of soup in the winter? A hot and sour broth is used in this soup. It’s made with the goodness of cabbage, mushrooms, carrots, and a spicy twist of white or red pepper, as well as vinegar for sourness.
3. Fried Rice (Chaofan)
Fried rice (chofàn) is one of the popular types of Chinese food made using fried, cooked rice and a variety of other components, such as eggs, vegetables, fish, or meat.
One of the most popular Chinese dishes is fried rice. You can easily make fried rice at home using leftover rice and other meat or vegetables from the previous meal.
Furthermore, Li Hongzhang, a senior diplomatic official in the late Qing Dynasty (1644–1912), asked his chef to prepare a dish that would appeal to Chinese and foreign palates. The chef prepared fried rice, which the foreign guests and officials enjoyed.
4. Peking Roasted Duck
Peking duck (Beijing koy) is a well-known Beijing dish that has gained international acclaim and is regarded as one of the types of Chinese national food.
The crispy, thin skin of Peking duck is prized. Also, Peking duck slices are frequently served with pancakes, sweet bean sauce, or soy sauce with garlic crushed. In Beijing, it is a must-try meal.
5. Kung Pao Chicken
Kung Pao Chicken is a popular Sichuan-style dish that Chinese and Western visitors enjoy. Diced chicken, dried chile, cucumber, and fried peanuts are the main ingredients (or cashews).
Furthermore, People (Chinese takeout) in Western countries have invented a Western-style kung pao chicken, including cornstarch, chopped chicken, vegetables, sweet and sour sauce, and mashed garlic.
6. Stinky Tofu
Stinky tofu is fermented with a strong stench (and it’s thought that the stronger it smells, the better it tastes). Tofu is put in a mixture of fermented milk, meat, vegetables, and aromatics, then fermented for several months, similar to cheese.
In addition, It can be eaten chilled, steamed, stewed, or deep-fried with chili and soy sauces on the side, depending on the location.
7. Sweet and Sour Pork
The color of sweet and sour pork is vivid orange-red, and it has a delightful sweet and sour flavor. At first, there was only sweet and sour pork, but some changes were made to the meal to suit demand.
Other ingredients, such as chicken, beef, or pig ribs, can now be used in place of the pork.
8. Hot Pot
Hot pot, also known as hugu, is one of the popular types of Chinese food, particularly in Sichuan Province and Chongqing.
People cook and eat from a simmering pot of soup stock (broth) on a gas/induction hob in the center of the dining table, surrounded by meals and condiments.
However, people can add and boil whatever they want in the broth. The broth, from which all the meat slices and veggies derive their taste, is the key to whether a hot pot is delicious or not.
In addition, Hot pot is a popular dish among Chinese people. Previously, the hot pot was only served during the winter, but currently, it may be found on tables all year. I
9. Quick Noodles
Noodles are a mainstay in every home, and they are not only a kid’s favorite food, but adults also enjoy them. Here’s a recipe for quick and easy noodles that you can make at home. Toss in all of your favorite vegetables and create your masterpiece.
10. Dumplings
Dumplings are popular types of traditional Chinese food, particularly in North China. Minced meat and chopped veggies are enclosed in a thin dough covering Chinese dumplings.
Minced pork, chopped shrimp, beef, ground chicken, and veggies are popular fillings. Dumplings can be prepared in many ways, including boiling, steaming, and frying.
In addition, On Chinese New Year’s Eve, dumplings are also a traditional dish. However, It is said that the more you eat dumplings during New Year celebrations, the more money you will make throughout New Year because they resemble Chinese silver ingots (ancient Chinese capital).
11. Congee
Rice porridge, or congee, is a filling and easy-to-digest meal (particularly breakfast). Congees vary according to the region: Some are thin, while others are thick, and some contain grains other than rice.
Meat, veggies, ginger, boiled eggs, tofu, soy sauce, or mung beans and sugar can be used to make it savory or sweet. Congee is also considered food therapy for when you’re unwell because it’s so comforting.
12. Chinese Hamburger
Although a pita-like baguette packed with soft braised pork isn’t quite what we’d call a hamburger, it’s fantastic nonetheless. The street cuisine is from Shaanxi in northwest China, and the beef contains over 20 spices and condiments.
Some believe it is the original hamburger because it has been around since the Qin period.
13. Char Siu
Char Sui means “fork roasted” in Cantonese. It’s a Cantonese roast pork dish. However, It’s served with either rice or noodles. It’s also utilized as a baozi filler (a kind of steamed stuffed bun).
14. Chow Mien
The Cantonese pronunciation of the Mandarin chomiàn, which means stir-fried noodles’ is chow mein. Noodles, meat (typically chicken, beef, shrimp, or pork), onions, and celery are stir-fried together in this dish.
However, the noodles must be boiled in boiling water for a bit before being used in chow mein. After they’ve cooled, it’s time to stir-fry them.
15. Zhajiangmian
Made with chewy, thick wheat noodles and topped with Zha Jiang sauce, a rich blend of ground pork and fermented soybean paste. These “fried sauce noodles” from Shandong province are delicious (or another sauce, depending on where you are in China).
It’s available everywhere in China, from street vendors to fine dining establishments.
16. Sichuan Pork
Sichuan pork, often known as ‘poached pork slices,’ is a famous Sichuan dish. Pork is simmered in broth with an egg-white and starch coating to retain its freshness and softness. The meaty broth has a spicy flavor r distinctive from Sichuan cuisine.
When eating, you’ll notice that pieces of beef are dripping with fluids and has a fresh, spicy aroma.
17. Wonton Soup
Chinese dumplings (hndùn) are a type of dumpling. Wontons, unlike jiaozi, have a smaller filling and are enveloped in considerably thinner dough wrappers.
Wontons come in various shapes, depending on how they’re produced. They resemble silver ingots, making them a promising ‘wealth-invoking’ meal.
Furthermore, the most common fillings for wontons are minced pork or diced shrimp. Wontons are usually boiled and served in broth, although they can also be deep-fried.
