What to Eat in China
Chinese cuisine is a delight. It is one of the most diverse and popular in the world. Many know about dumplings, Peking duck, or Kung Pao chicken — thanks to them, Chinese cuisine restaurants in any city are always in demand. In this article, we talk about some interesting Chinese dishes and reveal the secret of their popularity.
Features of Chinese National Cuisine
Food in China can be characterized by one phrase — incredible diversity. Chinese national cuisine is known worldwide: tastes, textures, and aromas intertwine in one dish and create a true symphony.
In total, there are eight main regional cuisines in China — each with its own peculiarity. Here are five of the most popular ones:
- Sichuan, which is famous for its spiciness and rich taste. Dishes often use hot peppers, garlic, ginger, dried spices;
- Guangzhou. It is known for its clean and delicate taste, as well as fresh seafood;
- Fujian cuisine, featuring luxurious dishes made from seafood and rice.
- Northern Chinese, a paradise for noodle and dumpling lovers;
- Shanghai. It is known for its steamed dishes, in the preparation of which alcohol, oils, spices, and seafood are used.
Features of Eating
China is a country of unique traditions and customs, which are reflected not only in culture but also in food.
One of the most important traditions in Chinese culture is to share dishes among all people at the table. During a meal, several dishes are placed in the center of the table, and everyone takes a portion from a common bowl or plate. This creates an atmosphere of community and unity, and all participants at the table can enhance their meal by trying different tastes.
Also, during meals, chopsticks are used instead of forks and knives — a common traditional eating utensil in China. Learning to eat with chopsticks is not so easy, but once you acquire this skill, trying a variety of Chinese food will become much easier. Another advantage of using chopsticks is dividing food into small portions, which contributes to better digestion.
Here are some more interesting and unique food traditions in China:
- Upright Chopsticks. When Chinese people leave chopsticks on the table, they never place them on a plate or bowl. Instead, they stick the chopsticks into rice or an upright stand, which is often called
