Food & Cuisine in China – A Delicious Journey for Your Senses

Food & Cuisine in China

A Delicious Journey for Your Senses

In China, food is more than just sustenance—it is a cornerstone of the culture, a form of art, and a way to celebrate life. To travel through China is to embark on an unforgettable culinary expedition. From the fiery spices of Sichuan to the delicate, fresh flavors of Canton, every region offers a new world for your palate to explore.

“To the people, food is heaven” Chinese calligraphy for 'To the people, food is heaven'

This guide is your menu to the vast, diverse, and utterly delicious world of Chinese food. We’ll introduce you to the great regional cuisines, highlight the must-try national dishes, and take you on an adventure through the bustling world of street food. So, bring your appetite, be adventurous, and prepare for one of the greatest culinary journeys on earth.

The Eight Great Cuisines

A Taste of Diversity – China’s vast geography and diverse cultures have given rise to many distinct cooking styles, traditionally categorized into the “Eight Great Cuisines.” Each has its own unique character and flavors.

Sichuan Cuisine

川菜 – Chuāncài

Known for its bold, pungent, and electrifying flavors. Sichuan food is famous for its liberal use of garlic, chili peppers, and the unique Sichuan peppercorn (花椒 – huājiāo), which creates a tingling, numbing sensation called “málà” (麻辣). It’s a cuisine that is complex, fragrant, and addictively spicy.

Must-Try Dishes: Mapo Tofu, Kung Pao Chicken, and the communal experience of a Sichuan Hot Pot.

Cantonese Cuisine

粤菜 – Yuècài

Hailing from Guangdong province, Cantonese cuisine is perhaps the most well-known style of Chinese food internationally. It emphasizes the natural, fresh flavors of the ingredients. Steaming and stir-frying are popular cooking methods, and dishes are often subtly seasoned to let the quality of the meat or vegetable shine.

Must-Try Dishes: The incredible variety of Dim Sum (from shrimp dumplings to BBQ pork buns), Char Siu (barbecued pork), and fresh steamed fish.

Jiangsu Cuisine

苏菜 – Sūcài

Jiangsu cuisine is the most refined and artistic of the eight. Known for its delicate, fresh, and slightly sweet flavors, it emphasizes exquisite presentation and precise cooking techniques. Chefs are masters of creating texture and using seasonal ingredients, often from the abundant rivers and lakes of the region.

Must-Try Dishes: Sweet and Sour Mandarin Fish (carved to look like a squirrel), Salted Duck from Nanjing, and intricate soup dumplings.

Iconic Dishes You Must Try

No matter where you are in China, some dishes are so famous and beloved that they have become national treasures. Be sure to seek them out on your journey.

Peking Roast Duck

北京烤鸭 – Běijīng Kǎoyā

A true imperial dish, Peking Duck is a culinary masterpiece. The duck is roasted until it has a perfectly crisp, amber-colored skin while the meat inside remains tender and juicy.

It’s traditionally served in three stages: first the crispy skin dipped in sugar, then slices of meat and skin wrapped in thin pancakes with sweet bean sauce, spring onions, and cucumber, and finally, a rich soup made from the remaining duck bones.

Soup Dumplings

小笼包 – Xiǎo Lóng Bāo

A specialty of the Shanghai and Jiangsu region, these delicate dumplings are a marvel of culinary engineering. Each meticulously pleated wrapper is filled with savory pork and a gelatinized broth that melts into a hot, delicious soup when steamed.

The trick is to bite a small hole in the wrapper, slurp out the hot soup, and then eat the rest of the dumpling with some black vinegar and ginger.

Hot Pot

火锅 – Huǒguō

Less a dish and more a joyful, communal experience. A simmering pot of flavorful broth is placed in the center of the table, and you cook your own food by dipping thinly sliced meats, vegetables, tofu, noodles, and seafood.

Every region has its own style, from the fiery broths of Sichuan and Chongqing to the milder, herbal broths of the south. It’s a fun, social, and delicious way to spend an evening.

The Adventure of Street Food

To find the true soul of a city’s cuisine, head to its streets. The bustling night markets and hidden alleyways are where you’ll find some of the most authentic and delicious food in China.

Xi’an’s Muslim Quarter

A paradise of Central Asian flavors.

Don’t miss the Roujiamo (肉夹馍), often called the “Chinese burger,” which is savory, slow-cooked meat stuffed into a freshly baked flatbread.

Chengdu’s Snack Alleys

The capital of Sichuan is famous for its “small eats” (小吃 – xiǎochī).

Seek out a bowl of Dandan Noodles (担担面), a spicy and savory noodle dish with minced pork and peanuts.

Skewers Everywhere

串儿 – Chuàn’r

From Beijing to the smallest town, you’ll find street-side grills cooking up skewers of everything imaginable—spiced lamb, chicken wings, mushrooms, and vegetables—grilled over charcoal and dusted with cumin and chili flakes.

The Culture of Tea

A traditional Gongfu Cha tea ceremony setup

In China, tea is not just a drink; it’s a philosophy and an art form. Take time to visit a traditional teahouse, where you can relax, chat, and witness the grace of a Gongfu Cha tea ceremony. From the delicate green Longjing of Hangzhou to the earthy, aged Pu’er of Yunnan, exploring China’s teas is a journey in itself.