Chinese Cooking

Chinese food is one of the most varied and developed cuisines in the world. China is home to a wide variety of flavors, spices, ingredients and cooking styles. Different parts of China have unique dishes and flavors: food in one part of the country may be totally different than in another.

Chinese immigrants have carried their food practically everywhere in the world but overseas Chinese often cook with the tastes of foreigners in mind. Chinese food in restaurants overseas is considerably different than original Chinese food and may not be entirely authentic. It’s usually necessary to travel to China to get a taste of real authentic Chinese cuisine. From there you can learn from expert chefs how to prepare the world-famous dishes for yourself.


Different Styles

Chinese food can be divided into eight major styles, each originating in a particular geographic region. Each style incorporates certain combinations of flavors; for example, northern food is generally salty and emphasizes starchy food like noodles and potatoes. Sichuan province is known for its spicy food while southern food from Guangdong is famous for its sweet seafood.

Cities like Beijing and Shanghai have also developed their own particular cuisine, distinct from the surrounding areas. In addition Buddhism has influenced China’s cuisine and there are plenty of delicious vegetarian dishes. China’s Muslim minorities have also influenced Chinese eating habits, and their lamb skewers are a common sight in Chinese towns and cities.


Chinese Cuisine Preparation

Chinese cuisine emphasizes frying, boiling and steaming. Grilling is also used, especially in street food. Soups are very popular and sweet cakes and pastries are sometimes served as snacks.

Almost all Chinese dishes require only the use of chopsticks and sometimes a spoon to eat. A knife is never necessary since in ancient China it was thought that bringing a knife to the table was rude or even hostile. All Chinese food is prepared into bite-sized piece in the kitchen.

Chinese people generally eat anything: almost nothing is off-limits. Pork and chicken are favored meats but in areas with large Muslim populations, lamb is usually the meat of choice. Almost any type of vegetable, fruit, meat or seafood can be found in one type of Chinese cuisine or another.