Food & Dining in China

China has eight major culinary traditions, each with distinct flavors and techniques: **Sichuan (川菜)** Famous for bold, spicy flavors and numbing sensation from Sichuan peppercorns. Must-try: Mapo Tofu, Kung Pao Chicken, Hot Pot. **Cantonese (粤菜)** Light, fresh, and focused on preserving natural flavors. Dim sum, steamed fish, and roasted meats are highlights. **Beijing (京菜)** Imperial cuisine influence. Peking Duck (北京烤鸭) is the signature dish. Also try Zha Jiang Mian (炸酱面). **Shanghai (本帮菜)** Sweet and savory profiles. Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), Shanghai fried noodles, and hairyi crab are must-tries. **Shandong (鲁菜)** Seafood-focused with quick cooking methods. Famous for braised dishes and fried foods.

Street food is an essential part of Chinese food culture. Here are must-try items: **Roujiamo (肉夹馍)** - Shaanxi "Chinese hamburger" with braised pork in baked bread **Chuan (串)** - Sichuan Grilled skewers with various meats and vegetables, especially popular at night markets **Jianbing (煎饼)** - Tianjin/Nationwide Savory crepe with egg, vegetables, and crispy wonton strips **Xiaolongbao (小笼包)** - Shanghai Soup dumplings with meat filling, be careful of hot soup! **Lamian (拉面)** - Nationwide Hand-pulled noodles in savory broth **Tangbao (汤包)** - Nanjing Soup dumplings, best enjoyed at清晨小笼包 **Tips:** - Look for busy stalls with local customers - Prices usually 5-20 CNY - Bring tissue paper and wet wipes

**Table Manners:** - Wait for the host to start eating - Don't stick chopsticks upright in rice (funeral symbol) - Use the serving spoon provided, not your own chopsticks - It's polite to try everything offered - Leaving a little food shows you're full **Ordering:** - Chinese dishes are meant to share - Order one dish per person plus 1-2 extra - Ask for "half portions" (半份) if available - Tea is usually free at restaurants **Payment:** - Ask for the bill (买单 mǎi dān) - Splitting the bill (AA制) is becoming common among friends - Tipping is not expected but appreciated at upscale restaurants

**Vegetarians:** - Look for "素" (sù) on menus - Buddhist restaurants often have good vegetarian options - Be clear about "no meat" (不要肉) in Chinese **Spice Levels:** - Specify "不要辣" (bù yào là) for no spice - "少辣" (shǎo là) for mild spice - "中辣" (zhōng là) for medium - "很辣" (hěn là) for very spicy **Allergies:** - Learn key phrases: "我过敏" (I'm allergic) - Common allergens: 花生 (peanuts), 海鲜 (seafood), 虾 (shrimp) **Halal:** - Look for 清真 (qīng zhēn) signs - Muslim areas in major cities have halal options - Xi'an and Ningxia have strong Halal food cultures