Top 7 most Popular Dishes in China to Eat

China is a country that boasts of a long history, incredible geographical features and a colorful culture and it also boasts of one of the best cuisines in the world. It is not just a chance to visit temples, mountains and cities but a great chance to taste something special. The Chinese food differ in each region they are found in because they have their own unique taste and way of preparing food. Chinese food is a wide range that is influenced by the regional, cultural, historical, and geographical differences of the country.

Food is an essential part of Chinese culture and people take meals together. Whether it is a street hawker grilling some skewered meat or a fine dining restaurant providing a lavish dinner banquet, food unites people in China. When you are on your China tour, you will be able to discover the most famous Chinese foods and each of them gives you a glimpse of the Chinese way of life. Most of these foods have been in existence for many decades and some even centuries hence making them an integral part of the nation’s heritage.

However, for food enthusiasts, China is a country of taste, texture, and ingredients that are unique in their way. From the Peking duck in Beijing to Xiaolongbao in Shanghai, Mapo Tofu in Sichuan, the food is as colourful as the people in the country. Every dish has a story and contributes to the learning of China’s food culture. If you are going for a China tour, ensure that you taste these famous Chinese meals that will make your tour even more special.

Below are the 7 most famous foods you should try when you eat in China during your travel.

1. Peking duck – A Taste of Tradition

Peking duck is without a doubt one of the most famous Chinese dishes and a food that you should not miss while on tour in China. This is one of Beijing’s most famous dishes; it has a crispy skin and juicy and tasty meat. The duck is slow roasted to give it a crispy skin and the soft texture inside the meat. It’s usually eaten with thin pancakes, hoisin sauce, and fresh cucumber and spring onions which you roll around the duck for that ultimate mouthful. This is not only a dish that is defined by the flavor but also by the manner in which the duck is served, usually with the carving being done at the table by the chef. It is best to have the Peking duck in the restaurants of Beijing especially those in the Wangfujing district.

2. Dim Sum – Bite-Sized Delights

Dim Sum is a group of small portions of delicious food usually taken together with tea and is one of the most famous tasting tours in the South China region. Dim Sum is from the Cantonese style of cooking, but you can find it in many regions of China including Hong Kong and Guangzhou. From the pork or shrimp stuffed dumplings to buns to rice rolls, Dim Sum is great for people who want to taste a lot of different things. The dish is traditionally presented in small bamboo baskets where each item presents a different texture and flavor, for example the succulent filling of the siu mai (pork dumplings) or the sweet, barbecued taste of the char siu bao (barbecued pork buns). No matter it is a breakfast or a between-meal snack, Dim Sum is definitely one of the must-try food when you are on tour to China.

3. Hot Pot – A Flavorful Feast

Characteristic of many Chinese regions, particularly the Sichuan province and Chongqing, Hot Pot is a form of dining that does not only focus on the food but also the company. A big pot of soup, usually spicy, is put on the center of the table and customers cook the ingredients themselves in the boiling soup. The ingredients can be very simple and include thinly sliced meat –beef or lamb, tofu, vegetables, mushrooms and noodles which all soak up the flavor of the broth. The taste of Hot Pot is quite special because the soup can be non-spicy to extremely spicy depending on the location. It is usually eaten during winter, so it will be suitable for consumption when you are on your China tour during the cold season. If you are a fan of spicy food and enjoy cooking food with friends and family, then Hot Pot is a perfect one for you.

4. Xiaolongbao (Soup Dumplings) – A Delicate Delight

Shanghai style Xiaolongbao is a type of dumpling that is filled with soup and has a tender skin and a tasty filling. Unlike normal dumplings, these bite sized packages contain a meat, pork or crab, and a broth that spills out when one takes a bite into the dumpling. The dumplings are steamed in baskets made of bamboo and mostly accompanied by a sauce that is made from soy sauce, vinegar, and a drop of ginger. It is actually a little challenging to eat Xiaolongbao; the best way is to put a small piece of it into your mouth, take a sip of the soup and then swallow the rest of the dumpling. This is one of the most recommended foods to taste while on a China tour especially if you are on a Shanghai or Yangtze River Delta tour.

5. Kung Pao Chicken – A Traditional Sichuan Recipe

Kung Pao Chicken or Gong Bao Ji Ding is one of the most well-known Chinese dishes locally and globally due to its taste. This dish is made up of chicken cubes, peanuts, vegetables and chili peppers all fried together in a gravy made from soy sauce, vinegar and sugar. Kung Pao Chicken can be traced back to Sichuan cuisine and is characterized by spiciness and the use of Sichuan peppercorns which give a numbing feeling in the mouth. This dish is one of the best examples of how Sichuan food is spicy and flavorful so anyone visiting this area should try this dish.

6. Mapo Tofu – A Spicy Silky Dish

Mapo Tofu is another Sichuanese dish that can be considered as a classic since the people of Sichuan province really enjoy hot and pungent dishes. It is soft tofu which is pan fried with a spicy sauce prepared from fermented bean paste, chili paste and garlic with Sichuan peppercins. Sometimes, ground pork or beef is used to enrich the taste, but it is possible to prepare it vegetarian. Due to the spiciness, saltiness and numbness of the Sichuan peppercorns this dish is one of the most popular in Chinese meals. If you are a lover of hot and spicy foods then Mapo Tofu must be on your list of foods you must try when on your China tour especially in Chengdu the Sichuan province.

7. Chow Mein – Stir-Fried Noodles

Chow Mein is commonly known as stir fried noodles and it is widely distributed in all Chinese restaurants. The dish has noodles stir-fried with vegetables, meats including chicken, beef or pork and sometimes seafood and a sauce made from soy sauce, oyster sauce among others. The crispy one, which the noodles are fried to be crispy on the side, is more famous in some areas including Hong Kong and Beijing. Chow Mein gives a good satisfying feeling, with the soft stir fried vegetables and the crispy noodles. It is one of the dishes you are likely to come across many times during your China tour and always find the dish appealing.

Conclusion:

No tour to China is complete without a taste of the country’s diverse and rich food options. All of the dishes above have their cultural significance in Chinese society, from roasting the Peking duck to Hot Pot, the shared cooking pot. Regardless of whether you are in Beijing, Shanghai or Chengdu, Chinese food is really going to give you tastes and experiences that will enhance your trip. Do not leave China without trying these excellent dishes and have a wonderful China tour. For More Information, Contact the Best Travel Agency in India.