20 Most Popular Chinese Dishes You Should Try
China is a big country with lots of different types of food! Each part of China has its own special dishes that people love to eat. Some foods are spicy, some are sweet, and some are just really unique! Chinese people have been making these yummy dishes for thousands of years, and each dish has its own story.
In this article, we’re going to take a tasty trip across China and talk about the Top 20 Most Popular Foods that people love to eat. We’ll see foods from different cities and learn why they’re special. People in China eat these foods at home, in restaurants, and during holidays and festivals.
1. Peking Duck (北京烤鸭, Běijīng kǎoyā)
A world-famous dish from Beijing, Peking Duck features crispy skin and tender meat, often served with thin pancakes, scallions, and sweet bean sauce.
2. Kung Pao Chicken (宫保鸡丁, Gōng bǎo jī dīng)
A classic Sichuan dish made with diced chicken, peanuts, and dried chili peppers, known for its perfect balance of spiciness and sweetness.
3. Sweet and Sour Pork (糖醋里脊, Táng cù lǐ jǐ)
A beloved Chinese dish where crispy pork pieces are coated in a vibrant, sweet, and tangy sauce.
4. Mapo Tofu (麻婆豆腐, Má pó dòufu)
A Sichuan favorite featuring soft tofu in a spicy, numbing sauce made with chili oil, Sichuan peppercorns, and minced pork.
5. Spring Rolls (春卷, Chūn juǎn)
Crispy, golden-brown rolls filled with either sweet or savory ingredients, traditionally eaten to celebrate the arrival of spring.
6. Chinese Dumplings (饺子, Jiǎo zi)
A traditional dish with over 1,800 years of history, dumplings are made with thin dough wrappers filled with minced meat and vegetables.
7. Wonton (馄饨, Hún tun)
A popular Chinese snack, wontons are served in soups, deep-fried, or paired with noodles, varying in taste by region.
8. Chow Mein (炒面, Chǎo miàn)
A Cantonese dish of stir-fried noodles mixed with vegetables and meat, with popular variations like Beef Chow Mein.
9. Char Siu (叉烧, Chā shāo)
A signature Cantonese dish of roasted pork marinated in honey, soy sauce, and other seasonings, offering a perfect balance of lean and fatty meat.
10. Fried Rice (炒饭, Chǎo fàn)
A simple yet beloved dish, fried rice has many regional varieties, such as Yangzhou Fried Rice and Cantonese Fried Rice.
11. Spicy Fried Chicken (辣子鸡, Là zi jī)
A Sichuan classic featuring bite-sized chicken stir-fried with dried chili peppers for a flavorful and spicy kick.
12. Hot Pot (火锅, Huǒ guō)
An iconic dish where diners cook various meats and vegetables in a simmering broth, with Chengdu famous for its spicy version.
13. Dim Sum (点心, Diǎn xīn)
A collection of bite-sized Cantonese snacks, including dumplings, buns, and pastries, often enjoyed with tea.
14. Sichuan Boiled Pork Slices (水煮肉片, Shuǐ zhǔ ròu piàn)
A flavorful Sichuan dish with pork slices cooked in a spicy broth with dried chilies and vegetables.
15. Sichuan Shredded Pork with Garlic Sauce (鱼香肉丝, Yú xiāng ròu sī)
A Sichuan stir-fry made with pickled peppers, garlic, ginger, sugar, and vinegar, offering a spicy, sweet, and savory taste.
16. Dan Dan Noodles (担担面, Dàn dàn miàn)
A famous Sichuan street food served with a spicy sauce made of minced meat, preserved vegetables, and chili oil.
17. Twice-Cooked Pork Slices (回锅肉, Huí guō ròu)
A signature Sichuan dish where pork belly is first boiled, then stir-fried with chili paste, garlic, and ginger.
18. Steamed Pork Buns (叉烧包, Chāshāo bāo)
Soft, fluffy buns filled with sweet and savory barbecued pork, a must-try in Cantonese cuisine.
19. Peking Noodles (炸酱面, zhá jiàng miàn)
Peking Noodles （zhá jiàng miàn） are one of the most popular dishes in Beijing. The noodles are topped with fried sauce made of diced meat, scallions, ginger, and soybean sauce, and then mixed with vegetables (bean sprouts, cucumber).
20. Chinese Pancakes(煎饼 jiān bing）
Chinese pancake（煎饼 jiān bing） is a traditional Chinese food made with flour, egg, and sauce. It is cooked by spreading the batter on a large frying pan or a specialized flat electric stove. The pancake is thin and round, and it tastes crispy. In China, people usually eat pancakes for breakfast or as a snack.
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