{"id":6026,"date":"2026-02-27T01:27:08","date_gmt":"2026-02-27T01:27:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/?p=6026"},"modified":"2026-02-27T01:27:08","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T01:27:08","slug":"best-chinese-food-32-must-try-dishes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/?p=6026","title":{"rendered":"Best Chinese food: 32 must-try dishes"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\n CNN<\/span>
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\n With one of the world\u2019s most diverse food scenes<\/a>, China makes it nearly impossible to put together one single list that truly encompasses the \u201cbest\u201d Chinese dishes.\n <\/p>\n

\n But with such a huge variety of flavors on offer, it\u2019s immensely helpful to go into the country with an introductory list of essential eats that will give you a well-rounded culinary experience.\n <\/p>\n

\n Below are some of the can\u2019t-miss dishes.\n <\/p>\n

\n We have included both English and Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese, depending how they are more commonly known) names in this story.\n <\/p>\n

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\n One bite into this small mountain of crispy duck skin, juicy meat, radish, cucumber, scallion and sweet bean sauce wrapped neatly in a thin pancake, and you\u2019ll understand why Peking duck has been captivating stomachs \u2013 including those of ancient Chinese emperors \u2013 for centuries.\n <\/p>\n

\n It\u2019s said that roasted duck first started tantalizing taste buds more than 1,500 years ago in Nanjing, when the city was the seat of ancient Chinese imperial regimes.\n <\/p>\n

\n The capital relocated to Beijing in the 1400s, and the imperial families brought those tasty roast duck recipes \u2013 and the chefs \u2013 with them.\n <\/p>\n

\n It was there that the current way we enjoy the duck, wrapped in that delicate thin pancake, was invented and then popularized around the world.\n <\/p>\n

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\n Many Nanjing residents will indeed tell you it\u2019s their city \u2013 not Beijing \u2013 that\u2019s the true duck capital of China.\n <\/p>\n

\n The city\u2019s obsession with the bird is evident in its wide array of duck offerings, including salted duck, pancakes made with duck grease and duck dumplings.\n <\/p>\n

\n But nothing speaks to a duck lover\u2019s heart quite like a cheap bowl of vermicelli soup with duck blood.\n <\/p>\n

\n Made with duck-bone broth, duck blood curds and bits of duck offal, such as liver and gizzards, this street food dish fully utilizes every part of the bird to deliver incredibly intense flavors.\n <\/p>\n

\n It may look simple, but steaming fish is a difficult art to master.\n <\/p>\n

\n Timing is crucial. The number of minutes \u2013 or seconds \u2013 you should steam a fish is dictated by the type and size of a fish, as well as the strength of your own stove.\n <\/p>\n

\n Undercook it by a minute, the flesh won\u2019t detach from the bone; overcook it, the flesh will tighten too much and the fish will lose some of its moisture, tenderness and flakiness.\n <\/p>\n

\n Cantonese steamed fish is usually served in some sweetened soy sauce and scallions.\n <\/p>\n

\n It\u2019s nearly impossible to dislike China\u2019s soul-comforting dan dan mian<\/em>, or dan dan noodles. The question is: Which version to try?\n <\/p>\n

\n Dan dan noodles are named after the way they were originally sold more than 100 years ago \u2013 on a dan dan, a carrying pole, by street hawkers.\n <\/p>\n

\n There are many ways to serve this famous Sichuan specialty. Some think dan dan noodles should contain a dry mix of noodles, made with minced meat, chopped scallions, spices, crushed peanuts and various sauces. Others disagree, preferring dan dan noodles in a hot, spicy, salty and nutty broth albeit with similar ingredients.\n <\/p>\n

\n But most people would agree that dan dan noodles taste better when topped with a handful of rou saozi<\/em> \u2013 finely chopped pork that\u2019s been pan-fried in lard until golden brown and crispy.\n <\/p>\n

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\n Cuisine in the mountainous, landlocked southern province of Hunan (also known as Xiang cuisine) is often cooked with a generous portion of oil, salt and chili.\n <\/p>\n

\n The province even has its own chili-themed folk song, with lyrics proclaiming that \u201cit doesn\u2019t count as a dish if there is no chili. A touch of chili triumphs over an exquisite meal.\u201d\n <\/p>\n

\n No other dish represents Hunan cuisine as well as steamed fish heads served with chopped salted chili (duo jiao yu tou<\/em>).\n <\/p>\n

\n Duo jiao<\/em>, a staple relish in Hunanese homes, is made with chili peppers that are dried, diced then preserved in a jar of salt, ginger, garlic and baijiu<\/em> (Chinese liquor) for at least a week.\n <\/p>\n

\n The thick blanket of duo jiao<\/em> gives the steamed fish head a salty and spicy kick. The leftover juice is a delicious dip for noodles or dumplings after you\u2019ve devoured the fish.\n <\/p>\n

\n Warning: Once you\u2019ve tried a Cantonese-style, woodfire oven-roasted goose, there\u2019s no going back. No other goose dish will please your palate in quite the same way.\n <\/p>\n

\n Upon hitting your mouth, the goose magically falls apart, offering an explosion of combined flavors from the crispy skin, melted fat and tender meat.\n <\/p>\n

\n Some restaurants will use special types of wood, such as camphor wood or lychee wood, to give the bird a special smoky taste.\n <\/p>\n

\n Seaside Chaozhou is known for no-frills seafood dishes that serve one purpose \u2013 to maximize the fresh ingredients\u2019 original umami flavors.\n <\/p>\n

\n Among the best dishes showcasing this style is Chaozhou-style cold fish or cold crab.\n <\/p>\n

\n To preserve the freshness of the seafood, fish and crabs are lightly seasoned in salt before they\u2019re steamed. They\u2019re then cooled and served at room temperature.\n <\/p>\n

\n The fish is often dipped in a special soy bean paste from Poling, while the crabs are served with a garlic and vinegar sauce.\n <\/p>\n

\n Legend has it that cross-the-bridge rice noodles were invented many years ago by a loving wife. Her husband studied on an island, so the wife would travel across a bridge to deliver him his daily lunches.\n <\/p>\n

\n As the food would be cold after the journey, the disheartened wife decided to bring a pot of scalding hot chicken broth, along with the rice noodles and raw ingredients.\n <\/p>\n

\n It was an ingenious plan, really. The chicken oil on the surface of the soup would keep the liquid warm. When the husband was ready to eat, she\u2019d cook all the ingredients by pouring them into the hot soup.\n <\/p>\n

\n Today, many noodle shops offer their own style of cross-the-bridge rice noodles, offering a choice of different ingredients and soup bases.\n <\/p>\n

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\n One of the most internationally famous Chinese dishes, Kungpao chicken is made by stir-frying diced chicken pieces with scallions, ginger, peppercorns, chili and deep-fried peanuts.\n <\/p>\n

\n There are different origin stories, but many believe the dish was inspired by a former Sichuan governor in the 1800s called Ding Baozeng, whose nickname was Ding Gongbao \u2013 alternatively romanized as Kungpao.\n <\/p>\n

\n It\u2019s said that Ding loved a sour and salty fried chicken dish from China\u2019s Shandong province. After he was relocated to Sichuan, he asked his chef to add some local chili and peanuts to the dish \u2013 and the rest is history.\n <\/p>\n

\n Sweet and sour pork \/ Lychee pork
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\n Deep-fried pork can feel a bit heavy, especially in unforgiving summer weather. Thankfully, we have sweet and sour pork.\n <\/p>\n

\n The pineapple in the dish and a sauce made with sugar, vinegar and soy sauce add some freshness to the crispy pork.\n <\/p>\n

\n If you\u2019re a fan of sweet and sour pork, you should also try the Fujian version of the dish \u2013 lychee pork. By incising the surfaces of the pork pieces, they resemble lychees\u2019 uneven skins after being deep-fried.\n <\/p>\n

\n There is no lychee in the dish traditionally \u2013 the sweetness comes from sugar, but some restaurants add lychee or use lychee sauce to match its name.\n <\/p>\n

\n Bonus: The rugged surfaces on the pork hold more sauce and have a more tender texture.\n <\/p>\n

\n Who needs French fries when you have dumplings?\n <\/p>\n

\n Whether you love them steamed, boiled or pan-fried, jiaozi <\/em>pack a full punch of carbs, proteins and vegetables in one mouthful.\n <\/p>\n

\n Vinegar and chili oil are some of the best condiments<\/a> to go with Chinese dumplings.\n <\/p>\n

\n One of the most interesting styles of dumplings is Fujian\u2019s rouyan <\/em>version \u2013 delicious enough to earn their own spot on this list.\n <\/p>\n

\n The mini pork dumplings have an extra chewiness to them as their wrappers are made of pork and some flour.\n <\/p>\n

\n While Hainanese chicken rice isn\u2019t actually from China\u2019s Hainan province (it was first served in Malaysia), the dish was inspired by the tropical island province and its famous Wenchang chicken.\n <\/p>\n

\n Made with a special breed of poultry from the island\u2019s eponymous city, Wenchang chicken is prized for its thin skin, tender meat and sweet flavor.\n <\/p>\n

\n The most common way to cook a Wenchang chicken is by blanching and air drying it. Similar to Hainanese chicken rice, the Wenchang version is often served with yellow chicken fat rice and chicken soup.\n <\/p>\n

\n Hainan locals usually prefer garlic and ginger paste, chili sauce and the juice of small tangerines as condiments.\n <\/p>\n

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\n A memorable mapo tofu<\/em> packs a boatload of zing \u2013 salty, peppery and spicy flavors should all hit the taste buds in a single spoonful thanks to the different types of spices, peppers and chili used in the dish.\n <\/p>\n

\n Discerning local gourmets insist that the best m<\/em>apo<\/em> tofu<\/em> should be made with Hanyuan peppercorns and broad bean chili paste from Sichuan\u2019s Pidu district.\n <\/p>\n

\n It\u2019s most commonly cooked with minced pork or beef \u2013 and tofu, of course. But as the Sichuan dish is so wildly popular nowadays, restaurants often serve creative versions of mapo <\/em>tofu<\/em> with different types of meats.\n <\/p>\n

\n Tender, well-braised pork belly is naturally irresistible \u2013 but the star of this Hakka dish is actually mei cai<\/em>, a dry, pickled Chinese mustard that gives the hearty stew its sour and salty taste.\n <\/p>\n

\n It\u2019s said that every Hakka family, a traditionally nomadic tribe in China, pickle their own mei cai<\/em>.\n <\/p>\n

\n When they make too much of it, they will whip up a mei cai <\/em>relish that\u2019s a great topping for plain rice and noodles.\n <\/p>\n

\n Whether it\u2019s an elevated version made with diced abalone and truffles, or a leftover medley of soon-to-spoil ingredients from your fridge, every good version of classic fried rice shares two important ingredients \u2013 dry but succulent rice and wok hei <\/em>(also known as the breath of the wok)<\/a>.\n <\/p>\n

\n One of the most welcome sights on a cold morning in Tianjin in northern coastal China is a jian bing <\/em>stand, with its sizzling hot pan.\n <\/p>\n

\n Jian bing guozi<\/em> is composed of two elements: Jian bing<\/em> (crepes) and guozi<\/em> (deep-fried crisps).\n <\/p>\n

\n To make a jian bing guozi<\/em>, first, a mung bean mixture is fanned out with a ladle onto a flat-iron pan. Eggs and scallions are then spread out on the crepe.\n <\/p>\n

\n After the pancake is flipped over, a dollop of bean paste, sheets of guozi<\/em> crisps (or, sometimes, deep-fried breadsticks and vegetables) are added before the vendor \u2013 usually an elderly man \u2013 folds the stuffed and toasted pancake and hands it to you in a paper bag.\n <\/p>\n

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\n Wondering whether the xiaolongbao<\/em> wrapper will break on the long journey between the steaming basket and your mouth is one of the most suspenseful moments that can take place at a dining table.\n <\/p>\n

\n Amassing a huge following in and outside China, xiaolongbao<\/em>, also called xiaolong tangbao<\/em> (translated as \u201csmall basket soup bun\u201d), is a mix of soup and pork packed inside a thin dumpling wrapper.\n <\/p>\n

\n In addition to pork, the soupy dumplings can also be filled with crab meat and crab roe.\n <\/p>\n

\n If you\u2019re one of those people who thinks the real star of beef chow fun<\/em> is the noodles and not the beef, you should try Chen<\/em> cun fen<\/em> (Chen village flat rice noodles).\n <\/p>\n

\n Chewier, wider and thinner than the usual flat rice noodles, Chen<\/em> cun fen<\/em> is a specialty from Chen village, a town in Shunde district in the Pearl River Delta.\n <\/p>\n

\n In addition to being stir-fried in a noodle dish, the semi-translucent and smooth Chen<\/em> cun fen <\/em>make a great base layer for dishes such as steamed spareribs and seafood as the noodles absorb all the flavors from the other ingredients.\n <\/p>\n

\n Named after famous poet, painter and statesman Su Dongpo <\/strong>(who lived about 1,000 years ago), Dongpo<\/em> rou<\/em> is made up of braised pork belly, rock sugar, soy sauce, yellow wine and other seasonings.\n <\/p>\n

\n The result is a richly flavored and extremely tender pork slab that can easily be pried apart with chopsticks.\n <\/p>\n

\n It\u2019s a delicious dish that goes well with steamed white rice.\n <\/p>\n

\n Hot and sour soup
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\n Surprisingly, China\u2019s famed hot and sour soup isn\u2019t just great at warming up your body in winter.\n <\/p>\n

\n Local Sichuanese believe that the soup can also expel excessive humidity and hotness from one\u2019s body in summer as well.\n <\/p>\n

\n A bowl of hot and sour soup should have a balance of sourness (from vinegar) and spiciness (from peppers) \u2013 but not hotness from chili.\n <\/p>\n

\n Shreds of tofu, Chinese mushrooms, wood ears and bamboo shoots are some of the common ingredients found in the thick soup.\n <\/p>\n

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\n Dim sum<\/em> refers more to a style of serving food \u2013 it\u2019s a type of meal in Cantonese food culture \u2013 rather than a specific dish.\n <\/p>\n

\n It\u2019s a cunning way to include many different varieties of small plates \u2013 from pan-fried radish cake to prawn dumplings to siu mai<\/em> \u2013 in one meal.\n <\/p>\n

\n At the same time, dining on a combination of these dishes during a dim sum<\/em> session is far more enjoyable than eating just one version on its own.\n <\/p>\n

\n Don\u2019t be fooled by its bland-sounding Chinese name \u2013 shui zhu<\/em>, which translates literally to \u201cwater boil.\u201d\n <\/p>\n

\n Shui zhu<\/em> is a cooking technique that was first developed in Sichuan cuisine. The word water (shui<\/em>) refers to the hot, spicy chili oil broth that is used to poach thinly sliced beef (shui zhu niu<\/em>), pork (shui zhu roupian<\/em>) or fish (shui zhu yu<\/em>).\n <\/p>\n

\n Today, the photogenic crowd-pleaser is often served with sliced celtuce (a type of lettuce) and flat mung bean noodles in the broth, too.\n <\/p>\n

\n The best barbecue pork should be slightly charred on the outside and contain just the right amount of sweetness and saltiness from the maltose, wine and soy sauce.\n <\/p>\n

\n A Cantonese roast shop will let you choose the level of fattiness you want in your char siu, <\/em>Cantonese for barbecue pork.\n <\/p>\n

\n Half lean, half fatty char siu<\/em> is the go-to option if you are a newbie.\n <\/p>\n

\n Barbecue pork is a highly versatile ingredient served in many delicious dishes \u2013 from char siu <\/em>macaroni soup for breakfast to char siu bao <\/em>\u2013 steamed buns ––<\/em> at dim sum<\/em>.\n <\/p>\n

\n Bao<\/em> \u2013 a steamed bread roll filled with a variety of ingredients including meat or vegetables \u2013 come in many shapes and sizes.\n <\/p>\n

\n It could be a plain bao<\/em> with a glossy and smooth exterior (mantou<\/em>), or an oversized steamed volcano-shaped bao<\/em> stuffed with an entire meal\u2019s worth of food (da bao<\/em>, or translated as \u201cbig bao\u201d).\n <\/p>\n

\n But one of the best baos<\/em> is undoubtedly sheng jian bao<\/em>.\n <\/p>\n

\n The pan-fried bao <\/em>is filled with pork and broth, while scallions and white sesame seeds are sprinkled on top.\n <\/p>\n

\n The Mausoleum of Terracotta Warriors is usually the reason travelers visit Xi\u2019an, but this western Chinese city\u2019s delicious and similarly historical rou jia mo<\/em> is another great reason to head there.\n <\/p>\n

\n The ubiquitous street eat consists of a grilled mo<\/em> (flat bread) and an overflowing amount of shredded pulled pork belly that has been braised in soy sauce, rock sugar and spices such as cinnamon, star anise, cloves and peppercorns for hours.\n <\/p>\n

\n Undercooked mo<\/em> is a big no-no. A common saying in Shaanxi province goes \u201ctie quan hu bei juhua xin,\u201d which means \u201ciron ring, tiger\u2019s back and chrysanthemum\u2019s heart \u201d \u2013 the perfect patterns you should look for on a well toasted mo<\/em>.\n <\/p>\n

\n Cantonese parents are the real experts when it comes to therapeutic herbal soups, which are simmered for hours to infuse the liquid with healing qualities and deliciousness.\n <\/p>\n

\n Various seasonal ingredients offer different cooling or warming qualities to restore balance in the body.\n <\/p>\n

\n For example, apple, snow fungus and lily petal soup will hydrate your body, whereas winter melon and barley soup will cool you down in hot weather.\n <\/p>\n

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\n The Chinese version of salami is often categorized into two main types: Laap cheung<\/em> and yun cheung<\/em> (in Cantonese).\n <\/p>\n

\n Laap cheung<\/em> is preserved meat sausage that has a slightly sweet taste. Yun cheung<\/em>, on the other hand, is mostly made with offal from poultry, giving it a stronger and gamier flavor.\n <\/p>\n

\n Unlike their European counterparts, Chinese preserved sausages should be steamed before eaten.\n <\/p>\n

\n You can find them wrapped in buns, stir-fried with sticky rice or steamed in a clay pot.\n <\/p>\n

\n The secret to a delicious Fujian-style taro paste is binlang yu<\/em>, a special breed of yam from Fujian\u2019s Fuding county. The white and purple flesh of a binlang yu<\/em> has vibrant fragrances and an earthy, nutty and sweet taste.\n <\/p>\n

\n To make the dessert, the taro is cooked and mashed before it\u2019s mixed with sugar and lard.\n <\/p>\n

\n The thick, silky taro mash will then be garnished with sweet toppings such as dates, candied cherries and gingko.\n <\/p>\n

\n When it comes to nourishing your digestive system, in sickness and in health, it\u2019s all about congee (porridge, commonly made with rice).\n <\/p>\n

\n A popular breakfast item in many parts of China, the versatile cheap eat can be served plain with a drizzle of soy sauce and scallions, or stewed with savory ingredients such as chicken or fish.\n <\/p>\n

\n Lean pork floss and century egg <\/strong>congee is one of the classics served in the south of China. Congee made with millet instead of rice and flavored with pumpkin <\/strong>is popular in the north.\n <\/p>\n

\n Those who are extra hungry can order a side of soy sauce-fried noodles, deep-fried breadsticks (youtiao<\/em>) or soy milk. These can be enjoyed on the side, or you can tear up the breadsticks or add some noodles to the congee.\n <\/p>\n

\n Most people who visit Chaozhou can\u2019t resist picking up a family-sized bag of super bouncy and flavorsome meat balls made of beef beaten by hand to bring home with them.\n <\/p>\n

\n Highly praised for their understanding of beef, Chaozhou people are also famous for other dishes such as beef hot pot.\n <\/p>\n

\n One of the most loved desserts in China, sweet rice balls, or tangyuan<\/em>, can be found in many regions.\n <\/p>\n

\n Ningbo is one of the best places to sample these round mochi-like desserts.\n <\/p>\n

\n The soft, pillowy exterior is made with sticky rice while the filling is made of black sesame, sugar and lard.\n <\/p>\n

\n The lard gives the filling an extra fragrance and sheen.\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n


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