China is one of the largest and well-developed countries in the world is known for its enriched culture, tradition, and history.
Similarly, Chinese food is one of the most significant parts of Chinese culture.
Chinese cuisine has a long history and it is famous all over the world. Chinese food is distinguished by the right choice of ingredients, very precise in the cooking process and, cautious into the number of ingredients and it's nourishment.
Chinese food has developed enough of its standard in aroma, taste and presentation, and has taken place as favorites cuisine all over the world.
So, if you are planning to visit China from any part of the world, we will guide you about the most popular Chinese food you must taste during your China tour.
The following are the nine famous Chinese dishes that are an integral part of China's restaurant menus.
1-Hotpot:
Hotpot is one of the famous Chinese foods. It is the food of windy and cold weather and readily available in all large restaurants in China.
There are many regional versions of hotpot available in different Chinese regions. But what makes this dish different from one part too and another is the broth and use of various meats combination with the vegetables.
For instance, in Northern China which is colder, lamb is the ultimate choice. Whereas in Cantonese hotpot seafood is their favorite choice including live shrimp, oysters, and squid. Mongolian hot pot is famous for its delicious broth, which includes ingredients like goji berries, jujubes, and a mix of herbs.
Hotpot is made with the combination of Broth which is an essential part of the dish and made up of stocks of meat. Thin sliced meats and seafood, vegetables like cauliflower, mushroom, broccoli, cabbage, lettuce or any veggies according to your choice, dumplings, tofu, noodles, and sauces. You can choose sauces according to your taste.
These combinations of the ingredients make hotpot worthy to taste; you will remember its aroma for many days.
2- Peking Roasted Duck:
Peking roasted duck is the most popular food in Beijing and considered a Chinese national dish. It is a popular dish in China; it is famous saying that if you visit China and don't visit the great wall of China and missed to eat their famous roasted duck, then your trip can not be completed.
The history of this famous dish is very old; it is from the imperial era. The meat is cooked with its skin, which gives it a crispy texture. Serving with the skin is the authentic version of the dish.
A white Beijing duck is chosen for this food, after thoroughly cleaning, it is seasoned with required spices than either placed in an oven for roasting or hang the duck on the hooks above the fire. The best seasons for eating this dish are spring, autumn and winter.
This dish is served with spring onion, cucumber and sweet bean sauce with pancakes rolled around the fillings. Sometimes other sauces like hoisin sauce can be added. This famous Chinese cuisine is a must to taste in your trip to China.
3- Kung Pao Chicken:
Kung Pao chicken is another trendy Chinese food that is famous in the US as well. Kung Pao is basically from Sichuan Province in China.
Kung Pao Chicken is a classic Chinese dish loaded with spicy chicken, peanuts, vegetables in a mouthwatering Kung Pao sauce. Its recipe is healthy and low in calories. The best part of this dish is it is a quick stir fry meal that is ready in just 20 minutes.
Its main ingredient is its sauce which is made by the combination of soy sauce and sesame oil for umami notes. Honey adds a touch of sweetness and rice vinegar a bit of tanginess. A cornstarch slurry helps to thicken the sauce. And it is served with boiled rice,
So, do not forget to try kung pao authentic Chinese version on your trip to China. It is such a mouth-watering Chinese food which you must try.
4- Chinese Meat Balls:
Chinese meatballs are another popular Chinese food. This food is the famous cuisine of Shandong province, which is the northern coastal province of China.
Meatballs are made from the mince of your choice meat, whether it is pork or lamb. Then include other ingredients, such as bread crumbs, chopped onion, eggs, butter, and spice seasoning. And they are then shaped into the balls. These meatballs dipped into super-smooth and flavour gravy which is known as a sauce.
This sauce our main ingredients are tomatoes, honey and ginger. The aroma if the sweet and sour sauce is irresistible and meatballs add more tastes in it.
Chinese meatballs will soon become your favorite once you give it a try.
5- Steam Garlic Prawns With Vermicelli Noodles:
This traditional Chinese food is very famous in china; this dish takes only a few minutes in its preparation.
Prawns have an unusual taste on their own and usually require the least amount of preparation. In Chinese food, prawns and other seafood are often steamed briefly to preserve their natural flavor.
Steamed garlic prawns with vermicelli is a classic dish mostly served on important events and occasions. It tastes tremendous and looks sophisticated.
It is prepared in 3 simple steps:
- Placed soaked vermicelli on the plate and then top with the peeled prawns
- Then add fried garlic's and chillies then pour some sauce according to your requirements.
- This aromatic Chinese food is a must-taste dish on your China trip.
6- Mapo Tofu:
Mapo Tofu is one of the favorite traditional Chinese foods that comes from Sichuan province. It consists of tofu set in a spicy sauce, typically a thin, oily, and bright red suspension, based on fermented broad bean and chilli paste along with minced meat, water chestnuts, onions, other vegetables.
Freshly grounded Szechuan peppercorn powder is another important seasoning that highlights the dish. The steamed rice goes best with mapo tofu.
7- Chow Mein:
Chow Mein is another popular Chinese food, famous all over the world. The name Chow Mein comes from Cantonese. "Chow" means fried and "mein" means noodles. So Chow Mein is precisely a dish of fried noodles served with vegetables and meat.
The different types of noodles used in chow mein include rice noodles, flat noodles, fine noodles, sliced noodles, filleted noodles, silk noodles, and more; Chow mein is usually stir-fried with brown and glossy soy sauce.
8- Dumplings:
Dumplings have a long history of more than 1,800 years; dumplings are a traditional food widely popular in North China. It consists of minced meat and chopped vegetables wrapped in a thin dough skin.
Popular fillings are diced shrimp, mince pork, ground chicken, vegetables, and beef. They can be cooked in different ways such as boiling, steaming, or frying. These are a traditional dish eaten mostly on Chinese New Year's.
9- Steamed Vermicelli Rolls:
Steamed vermicelli roll is another most popular and traditional food of China. This is a small portion of food usually served in a small steamer basket or on a small plate.
There is a verity of this dish available such as plain steamed rolls, dried shrimp steamed rolls, Chinese fried, steamed rolls.
You can choose according to your choice. All kinds are smooth and soft in their texture.
Traditionally, steamed vermicelli rolls are made by lining a tray with wet cotton steaming cloth. The batter is poured on top of the cloth and then steam.
After steaming, it becomes soft, then add any of the favourite fillings with spices and fold it into the form of a roll.
This traditional Chinese food is must try.
These are the most popular Chinese food you must taste in your China tour; all these food are heavenly rich in their aroma and taste. You will remember the cuisine of China for many days.
