10 Delicious Chinese Dishes You Have to Try When Visiting China

Mushroom pork dumplings by Mushroom pork dumplings from Wikimedia Commons

10 Delicious Chinese Dishes You Have to Try When Visiting China

China’s huge landmass and rich history offer the nation a variety of natural landscapes, historic sites, and a thriving culinary culture. Eight cuisines, including those with hot and spicy qualities as well as sweet and sour flavours, may be found in Chinese cuisine.

The top 10 Chinese dishes are listed below:

1. Dumplings

Dumplings by Mshuang2 from Wikimedia Commons

Particularly in the northern areas, dumplings have long been a staple of Chinese reunion dinners on the eve of the lunar new year. Over 1,800 years ago, the sage of Chinese medicine Zhang Zhongjing created it to treat frostbite ears.

Nowadays, individuals create the filling by combining minced pork, chicken, mutton, or beef with chopped veggies. They then wrap the mixture in a thin piece of dumpling skin and crimp it into the form of an ear. For good luck on Chinese New Year, individuals may also wrap brown sugar, money, dates, or peanuts.

 2. Kung Pao Chicken

Kung Pao chicken by Steven G. Johnson from Wikimedia Commons

Kung Pao Chicken is loved by people of many ethnic backgrounds. Its distinctive flavour of sweet and sour with a hint of spice is equally well-liked abroad, and for the majority of foreigners, this dish even comes to symbolize Chinese cuisine.

Diced chicken is the major component of Kung Pao Chicken. Chicken that has been stir-fried with peanuts and dried chile can taste crisp and fresh, spicy without being overpowering.

3. Chow Mein

Vegetable Chow Mein by Biswarup Ganguly from Wikimedia Commons

Stir-fried noodles are pronounced “chow mein” in Cantonese. Usually cooked with noodles, onion, sliced pork, green pepper, and green onions, it is one of the greatest Chinese recipes.

The noodles must first be cooked until they are 90% done. Noodles should be stir-fried with additional ingredients until they are golden yellow after cooling. Most Chinese people’s first pick for late-night dinner is often Chow Mein because it doesn’t require extensive preparation.

4. Yangzhou Fried Rice

Chinese fried rice by stu_spivack from Wikimedia Commons

Undoubtedly one of the most well-known Chinese meals, Yangzhou Fried Rice is a national favourite. Yangzhou Fried Rice, as its name suggests, is a dish that originated in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, during the Spring and Autumn Period (770–476 BC).

The two key components are rice and eggs. Yangzhou Fried Rice, which is served with ham, shrimp, and peas, is not only flavorful and aromatic but also attractively coloured to pique customers’ appetites.

5. Fish-Flavored Shredded Pork

Chinese fried rice by stu_spivack from Wikimedia Commons

Despite the word “fish” being in the name, neither fish nor fish sauce is needed to prepare this dish. A number of ingredients, including broad bean paste, salt, white sugar, cooking wine, soy sauce, and starch, contribute to the flavour of fish.

Lean pork is cut into slices, and when stir-fried with lettuce, dried apricots, garlic, and ginger, the prepared sauce is added. One of the most well-known Chinese meals to serve with rice is Fish-Flavored Shredded Pork, which has a light flavour of sweetness and spice.

6. Sweet and Sour Pork Fillet

Stewed Pork Knuckle by avlxyz from Wikimedia Commons

Another well-known Chinese dish that has become quite popular, especially with ladies and kids, is sweet and sour pork fillet. Usually, starch is used to coat the pork, and the last step involves stirring boiling ketchup into the dish. The Sweet and Sour Fillet is enhanced with a sweet and sour taste as a result, and the juicy pork coated in the crispy crust may give you a unique mouthfeel.

7. Scrambled Eggs with Tomatoes

For the majority of Chinese people, scrambled eggs with tomatoes rank among the best Chinese foods. The only ingredients in the recipe are eggs, tomatoes, oil, and salt. In the southern areas, sugar is frequently used in place of salt.

When it’s finished, the bright-red tomatoes and the fluffy, yellow eggs may always whet a diner’s appetite. Additionally, this meal is juice-rich. Another preferred method of eating is to combine the soup with rice.

8. Hot Pot

Hot pot dinner by 3steph14 from Wikimedia Commons

Chinese folks think that the hot pot is the best option for hosting a dinner party since it can accommodate everyone’s preferences. As its name suggests, the Hot Pot is prepared in a large wok that is heated continually on a burner.

Slices of meat and other vegetables are added to the boiling soup after which people wait for them to be fully cooked. The two representatives of the China Hot Pot are the spicily flavorful Chongqing Hot Pot and the Beijing Copper Pot with instant-boiled mutton.

9. Ma Po Tofu

Ma Po Tofu by pelican from Wikimedia Commons

Ma Po Tofu a well-known Chinese dish from the Sichuan cuisine, best exemplifies the characteristics of this group with its hot and spicy flavour. According to legend, a woman by the name of Chen Mapo created this course in 1862, therefore the name. The final step will sprinkle red and hot broth, ground beef, and sliced green onion over the soft tofu to enhance the taste.

10. Spring Rolls

Spring rolls by Mx. Granger from Wikimedia Commons

Dumplings and spring rolls can both be prepared in a similar manner. A dough wrapper is stuffed with ground meat, veggies, or sweetened bean paste before being folded into a cylinder.

After that, cook it till it turns golden. It has long been a tradition for people in the southern areas to enjoy the crunchy Spring Rolls on the day of the “Beginning of Spring,” one of the 24 Solar Terms that typically occurs in February.

You should expect food to play a significant role in your journey to China. You ought to eat as many real Chinese meals as you can because you won’t find them at your neighbourhood Chinese restaurant back home.