Top 12 Must-Try Dishes When Visiting China

Fujian stir-fried noodles can be found everywhere where there is a Chinese community. These noodles, golden in color, chewy, and rich in flavor, are delicious on their own. What makes them even more irresistible is the addition of fresh seafood, skillfully prepared by expert Chinese chefs, ensuring that every bite is a treat for the taste buds.

The dish typically includes seafood like shrimp and squid, along with eggs and green or red chili peppers. It’s seasoned with a touch of salt, garlic, oyster sauce, soy sauce, chili sauce, cornstarch, and a little broth. The broth used for cooking the noodles is made from shrimp heads, clams, and some dried fish. The noodles are soaked to soften and clean them, after which the broth is added and boiled for a few minutes. Then, seafood is tossed in, followed by other ingredients, and everything is stir-fried until the liquid almost evaporates. You can also add a little cornstarch to thicken the sauce, giving it a visually appealing glossy finish.

Among the diverse culinary traditions of China, Yangzhou fried rice stands out as a signature dish that originated during the Qing Dynasty. Not only is it simple to make, but it’s also highly nutritious and beneficial to health, making it a favorite among homemakers who often prepare it for their families.

Despite its oily appearance, Yangzhou fried rice never feels greasy thanks to the balanced mix of vegetables, meats, and eggs, making it both easy to eat and nutritionally complete. The dish typically features familiar and easily accessible ingredients such as eggs, Chinese sausage, and shrimp.

The recipe is straightforward, and because of its popularity, there are many variations of this dish. If you ever visit China, be sure to try it!

Lion's Head Meatballs, also known as Four Happiness Meatballs, is a dish emblematic of Jiangsu cuisine. The meatballs are typically about 5-10 cm in diameter. The name comes from their appearance: large meatballs served in a bowl of chicken broth with cooked cabbage, resembling the mane of a lion.

Another beautiful name for this dish is Red Braised Lion's Head. It is quite a famous dish in China. The meatballs are seasoned and filled with ingredients like sea cucumber, finely chopped shrimp, and quail eggs, then braised in a rich sauce made from a variety of ingredients.

To truly experience the essence of this dish, it is best enjoyed with a spoon and a traditional Chinese-patterned bowl. This setting helps you feel like you’ve entered an imperial banquet from ancient times.

The noodles are made entirely by hand, which gives them a thick, chewy texture and ensures they are free from preservatives. Lanzhou noodles are famous and originate from Gansu province. The region is predominantly Muslim, so the noodles are often made with beef or lamb. The dish is complemented with ingredients such as white radish, green chilies, and a clear, non-greasy broth.

A perfect bowl of Lanzhou noodles must have five key elements for the ideal balance of flavor and color: the broth must be clear, the radish should be white, the green onions vibrant, the red chili peppers bright, and the noodles should be a golden yellow. This dish shares some similarities with Vietnam's pho, both beloved for their fresh and aromatic qualities.

Lotus stem stuffed with glutinous rice and honey is a traditional dessert from Hangzhou. The dish is made using lotus stems, filled with glutinous rice, osmanthus flowers, and sugar. The lotus stems used in this dish are sourced from West Lake, known for having the best quality in China. It’s a delightful combination of the crispiness of lotus stem, the sticky sweetness of glutinous rice, the honey’s natural sweetness, and the fragrant osmanthus. This dessert provides a unique, sweet flavor that is greatly loved by locals in Hangzhou.

The stuffed lotus stems are not only crisp and fragrant but also offer a light, refreshing sweetness that appeals to anyone who tries it. This simple yet fascinating dish is a favorite for visitors to China. Lotus stem stuffed with glutinous rice and honey gives a sense of tranquility when enjoyed, and it’s also a healthy treat.

Shrimp is a well-loved dish, known for its sweet and delicate flavor, offering endless variations in preparation. In China, there is a unique dish where shrimp is paired with an unexpected ingredient: Longjing tea leaves from Hangzhou. The remarkable flavor of this dish is so outstanding that it could easily surpass even the most traditional shrimp recipes that have been passed down through generations.

The dish, known as Longjing Shrimp, derives its essence from the Longjing tea, which is grown in the picturesque Longjing village near Hangzhou. This tea has a vibrant green color, a strong, fragrant aroma, and a smooth, sweet taste when brewed. Its shape resembles a sparrow’s tongue, and it is celebrated for its four remarkable qualities: “green color, aromatic fragrance, sweet taste, and beautiful shape.” This harmonious combination led to the creation of the dish’s simple, memorable name: Longjing Shrimp, a tribute to the source of the key ingredient.

Chongqing Hotpot is a dish that can be quite daunting for those who have tried it. Similar to the spicy Korean noodles, this hotpot comes with varying levels of heat. The first thing that strikes diners is the intense red color and the pungent heat of the dried chilies, which often float in the bubbling broth. It's not just a few peppers, but the entire hotpot is filled to the brim with fiery chilies, either whole or chopped, releasing a strong and sharp aroma that will make your eyes water and nose sting.

In addition to the chilies, the broth is packed with peppercorns and over 20 different spices and herbs, amplifying the spiciness even further. What makes the Chongqing Hotpot unique, though, is that it has two sections. One side features a non-spicy broth, clear and savory, made from chicken bones, rich yet subtly sweet. To help balance the intense spiciness, the meal is accompanied by a soothing bowl of honey herbal tea, fresh fruits, and cooling tea to calm the fire and cleanse the palate.

Candied Haw is a treat often seen in ancient Chinese films, depicting the sweet, sticky candy sold from street vendors’ carts clinking through the narrow, historic streets of Beijing. Each skewer is made of hawthorn berries dipped in hot sugar syrup. Today, the candy has evolved into different flavors, such as golden kumquat, kiwi, or raisins, but the classic hawthorn flavor remains the most beloved. Every traveler to China seeks out this traditional sweet that has its roots in the Song Dynasty.

Beyond its irresistible sweetness, the bright red candied haw skewers symbolize good luck and fortune. It is commonly believed in China that eating this treat can ward off bad luck and bring prosperity. The round, plump, and vibrant red candies are also seen as a symbol of completeness, wealth, and abundance. Consequently, candied haw is a year-round snack in China, but it is especially popular during the New Year, where it is often gifted to children, symbolizing wishes for good health and luck.

Dumplings are a beloved traditional Chinese dish, especially during the New Year. The filling, a delightful blend of vegetables and meat, ensures the dumplings are never too rich. On New Year’s Eve, families gather together to make and enjoy dumplings. Some even place a coin inside one of the dumplings, symbolizing good fortune. Whoever finds the coin in their dumpling is believed to be blessed with a year full of prosperity and success in both career and wealth.

The dumpling wrappers are made from two types of rice: glutinous rice and white rice. According to Chinese tradition, this combination brings luck and happiness to those who eat them. Furthermore, dumplings are shaped like a crescent moon, symbolizing completeness and happiness. The even edges represent fullness, a sign of perfect harmony. Additionally, some believe their shape resembles ancient Chinese silver ingots, symbolizing wealth and abundance.