Chinese cuisine is among the most diverse and rich in the world. Before you embark on your trip to China, take a deep dive into the country's culinary heritage through the following article!
1. Cantonese
Cantonese cuisine is one of the most renowned culinary styles in China. Tourists visiting China will be particularly impressed by the refinement, variety, and subtle flavors of the dishes. This cuisine emphasizes the balance of color, fragrance, and taste. Starters often include roasted or cold dishes. Some traditional cooking methods include stir-frying, roasting, frying, and steaming. The most famous dish from this region is Dim Sum, a collection of dumplings, buns, and other bite-sized treats, either steamed or fried.


2. Shandong
Shandong cuisine is the most influential of the eight major Chinese culinary schools. Known for its long history and intricate cooking techniques, this region produces hearty and nutrient-rich dishes. Shandong cuisine is characterized by a focus on temperature control and knife skills. It uses a variety of cooking methods, including stir-frying, frying, boiling, braising, and roasting. Notable dishes include braised chicken, fried shrimp, fish head stew, sweet and sour carp, and hibiscus chicken wings.


3. Sichuan
Sichuan cuisine is renowned for its bold, spicy flavors. Dishes from this region are often known to travelers to China for their distinctive heat. Sichuan chefs love to use peppercorns, chili peppers, garlic, and fermented bean paste, which are the soul of their dishes. Many Sichuan dishes feature a dominant red-orange color, primarily due to the use of the famous chili oil. Additionally, chili peppers help neutralize the strong odors of certain ingredients like fish and meat. As a result, while Sichuan food is spicy, it remains incredibly enticing. Some notable dishes include Gong Bao chicken, Mapo tofu, Dandan noodles, and chili oil braised meat.


4. Jiangsu
Jiangsu cuisine is a key part of Chinese culinary heritage, known for its delicate flavors and elegance. This culinary style is especially famous for its soups, stews, and braised dishes. The people of Jiangsu pay great attention to color and presentation, ensuring that dishes retain the natural flavors of the ingredients. Common ingredients include freshwater fish and seafood. Some well-known Jiangsu dishes include Nanjing salted duck, sweet and sour Quanhuai fish, Yangzhou fried rice, and Jiangsu-style roasted pork.


5. Zhejiang
Zhejiang cuisine is characterized by its light seasoning and visually appealing presentation. Chefs here prefer fresh, seasonal ingredients such as seafood, freshwater fish, and vegetables. The culinary style is known for its variety of cooking methods, with frying being the most commonly used technique. Famous dishes from Zhejiang include West Lake vinegar fish, Longjing tea shrimp, Dongpo pork, bamboo shoot stew, crispy fried beef rolls, and lotus leaf-wrapped pig's trotter.


6. Fujian
Tasting Fujian cuisine is an essential experience for travelers exploring China. Located on the southeastern coast, Fujian province is renowned for its abundant seafood. The region's culinary style emphasizes freshness, with dishes highlighting sweet, sour, salty, and fragrant flavors. The careful preparation of food here results in beautifully colored and delicate dishes. Famous dishes from Fujian include: "Buddha Jumps Over the Wall," Fujian fish cakes, seafood soup with clams and chicken, oyster omelette, Quanzhou glutinous rice cakes, and braised pork ribs with wine.

7. Hunan
Hunan cuisine is characterized by bold, spicy flavors and the extensive use of fresh ingredients. Originating from the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770 – 256 BC), Hunan food is known for its heat, often surpassing even Sichuan in spiciness. The people of Hunan are credited with creating a balance of sour, numbing, and spicy tastes, often paired with vegetables, cured meats, or salted items. Smoking meat is a distinctive feature that sets Hunan apart from Sichuan cuisine. Notable dishes from Hunan include: steamed fish head with chopped peppers, stir-fried smoked pork with chilies, stinky tofu hot pot, braised pork belly, and spicy salted duck.


8. Anhui
Anhui cuisine encompasses the dishes from southern Anhui, as well as the regions along the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers. This culinary tradition is renowned for slow braising and the intricate use of fire. The key techniques in Anhui cooking are roasting, braising, and smoking. Notably, Anhui dishes are valued for their nourishing qualities, as many are carefully crafted with scientifically balanced nutritional components. Some of the most celebrated dishes include: mandarin fish, steamed chicken on stone, pigeon stew from Huangshan, ham-braised turtle, lotus duck, and salted pickled fish.


According to Mytour.vn
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Reference: Travel Guide Mytour.vn
Mytour.vnApril 10, 2024