Chinese Food/Chinese Cuisine, Chinese Food Culture - China

Food has a special meaning to the Chinese people.  The "waste not, want not" ethos means that a surprising range and variety of plants and animals, and every part of a plant or animal is used.  This has given rise to a remarkable diversity in regional cuisine, but to Westerners it can be overwhelming - surprising, fantastic, delicious, horrifying or disgusting - but above all, different.

Staple Ingredients

"The Chinese eat everything with four legs, except tables, and everything that flies - except airplanes". What are the staples and main food types of a nation who are willing to eat just about anything? Wild animals, snake, ants, you name it. I f they can find a tasty way to prepare it, the Chinese will eat it with gusto. Here you will find staple foods and the main food types that the C hinese eat. What we tell you here is only the tip of the ice berg regarding the great variety of Chinese food. You are advised to keep an eye out for more during your China trip or take a Cuisine Tour with China Highlights to discover the variety and complexity of Chinese food. Read More

Chinese Food Menu

• Common Chinese Dishes
• Chinese Food Intolerances

More Chinese Food Types

• Rice
• Noodles
• Vegetables
• Eggs
• Fish
• Tofu (Bean Curd)
• Meat and Poultry
• Soup
• Hot Pot
• Beijing Roast Duck

China Regional Cuisine

China can be divided into many geographical areas, and each area has a distinct style of cooking. The ingredients used in the food are based on the natural agricultural products of the region. In N orthern China, for example, wheat is eaten more than rice as staple food. Food using wheat as its main ingredient, such as noodles and dumplings is prevalent there. Compared to the rather monotonous fare of the North, China's southern cuisine is notable for its exceptional tastiness and its great variety. Most of the famous Chinese dishes served in international capitals, i.e., what is considered "Chinese Cuisine" abroad, belong, in fact, to the cuisine tradition of S outhern China. As for vegetables, cabbage is ubiquitous, served at almost every restaurant. Read More

Eight Distinguished Regional Cuisine

• Chuan Cuisine (Sichuan Cuisine)
• Cantonese Cuisine (Yue Cuisine)
• Lu Cuisine (Shandong Cuisine)
• Min Cuisine (Fujian Cuisine)
• Su Cuisine (Jiangsu Cuisine)
• Xiang Cuisine (Hunan Cuisine)
• Hui Cuisine (Anhui Cuisine)
• Zhe Cuisine (Zhejiang Cuisine)

Typical Chinese Food

Chinese New Year Food

Chinese New Year Foods are very important to Chinese people. All family members come together to eat at this time. Chinese New Year foods are not only delicious but it is traditional to eat certain foods over this festival. Chinese Dumplings, Fish, Spring Rolls, Nian Gao are usually seen as delicious and eaten at this time. Read More

• Chinese Dumplings
• Fish
• Spring Roll
• Nian Gao

Chinese Vegetarian Food

Most Chinese vegetarians are Buddhists, following the Buddhist teachings about minimizing suffering. In addition, many Yoga enthusiasts in China are vegetarians or vegans. Nowadays, in order to keep healthy and fit, more and more Chinese people who are not vegetarians or vegans, tend to eat vegetarian food from time to time. Read More

Chinese Medicinal Food

Medicinal food is food with the function of dietetic therapy, which is made by taking medicine and food as materials and processing them through cooking. It is the product of the combination of Chinese traditional medical knowledge and cooking experience. Read More

Eight Popular Chinese Dishes

China is abundant in tourism sources. Delicious foods are indispensable in a good tour. With long history, unique features, numerous styles and exquisite cooking, Chinese Cuisine is one important constituent part of Chinese culture. Chinese dishes are famous for color, aroma, taste, meaning and look. Following are the most eight popular dishes among foreigners and Chinese. Read More

Halal Food in China

Chinese halal food blendes the original Middle East flavors with traditional Chinese dishes, creating its own style. Small muslim restaurants can be found in almost every city and town all over the country. Read more

Chinese Cooking Techniques