When you travel to China, you will have the opportunity to taste and experience Chinese cuisine. What are some of the names of some of the most popular Chinese dishes in Chinese?
The Chinese give great importance to food, as evidenced by the saying, mín yǐ shí wéi tiān 民以食为天. 1. mín 民=the people, 2. yǐ shí 以食=consider food, 3. wéi tiān 为天= as Heaven or as the top priority. Food and caring about their living needs are the most important thing for the people.
China’s cuisine has been heavily influenced by its regional environment, climate, products, customs, and eating habits for quite some time. Among its most striking characteristics are its 8 Major Cuisines. In history, Shandong, Jiangsu, Guangdong, and Sichuan formed the four major cuisines of Chinese food, which subsequently evolved into Zhejiang, Fujian, Hunan, and Huizhou thus forming the Eight Major Cuisines of Chinese food.
Below are some of the most popular dishes from the Eight Major Chinese Cuisines.
2. má pó dòu fǔ 麻婆豆腐 - Mapo Tofu
3. bāo zǎi fàn煲仔饭 Steamed rice with preserved meat in clay pot
A clay pot is a standard tool for preparing food in China, especially when the dish is to be cooked slowly. The most common way to prepare steamed rice with a clay pot is to steam rice, marinated sausage, and vegetables with a flavourful sauce in the clay pot together.
This dish belongs to the yuuè cài 粤菜 yuè cài Guangdong/Cantonese cuisine. The cuisine of Guangdong consists primarily of three sub-cuisines: Guangzhou, Chaozhou, and Dongjiang.
Bāo zǎi fàn 煲仔饭 is characterized by a crispy bottom layer of rice, indicating that it is well balanced in terms of taste.
4. xiā jiǎo 虾饺 Dim sum Shrimp Dumplings
In Cantonese teahouses and restaurants, shrimp dumpling dishes are very popular, and Chinese people love to drink tea together with a basket of shrimp dumplings.
Xiā jiǎo 虾饺 are especially appreciated for being smooth and fresh. The rapping is white and thin, barely displaying the red shrimp filling.
5. shuāng pí nǎi 双皮奶 Milk Pudding with two layers
The classic Double-layer Milk Puddin is a traditional dessert that is still extremely popular today. It is usually served with an afternoon tea or after a meal.
There are two layers of milky skin on top of the custard, formed during cooking. The first layer forms while cooling the boiled milk, and the second layer forms while cooling the cooked custard.
6. duò jiāo yú tóu 剁椒鱼头 Steamed Fish Head with Chopped Pepper
7. má là xiǎo lóng xiā 麻辣小龙虾 Spicy Crawfish
The crab, sometimes called the small lobster, is a must-have dish enjoyed by locals all year round.
Spicy crawfish is cooked with chilli, pepper, and other spices.
8. huáng mèn jī mǐ fàn 黄焖鸡米饭 Braised Chicken
9. shuǐ jiān bāo 水煎包 Steam-fried Stuffed Bun
10. bā gōng shān dòu fǔ八公山豆腐 Palgongsan tofu
11. huā shēng tāng 花生汤 Sweet Peanut soup
12. fó tiào qiáng 佛跳墙 Buddha jumps over the wall
13. huǒguō 火锅 Hot Pot
There are several different kinds of huǒguō 火锅 Hot Pot in China, but one of the more popular ones is 麻辣火锅 Chongqing Hot Pot, which is all about the spices.
Sauces and meats contribute to the flavour of Hot Pot. Hot Pot is typically quite spicy, which is why it is popular in Chongqing and Sichuan.
If your friends have different tastes, you can split the pot into two parts, where one part is mild, and the other part is spicy.
14. xiā miàn 虾面 Hokkien Prawn Noodles
15. dōng pō ròu 东坡肉 Dongpo braised pork belly
16. xī hú cù yú 西湖醋鱼 West Lake fish in Vinegar gravy
17. jiào huā jī 叫花鸡 Beggar's Chicken
18. yáng chéng hú dà zhá xiè 阳澄湖大闸蟹 Hairy crabs from Yangcheng Lake
19. Běijīng kǎoyā 北京烤鸭 Beijing Duck
Symbolizing China’s capital, the Běijīng kǎoyā 北京烤鸭 Beijing Duck is popular among foreigners and locals alike.
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A typical duck dish includes duck skin and pancakes. Cucumber and spring onions are usual accompaniments. A thinly sliced shallot or a salad would enhance the experience.
Despite the dish’s name tying it to Beijing, Beijing Duck restaurants can be found throughout China, and they are generally just as tasty.
20. táng cù pái gǔ 糖醋排骨 Sweet and Sour Spareribs
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