A Food Lover’s Guide to China: Exploring 8 Regional Cuisines

Exploring China’s Regional Cuisines: A Food Lover’s Guide

China is a paradise for food lovers! With its rich history and diverse culture, the country boasts a variety of regional cuisines, each with unique flavors and signature dishes. Whether you love spicy, savory, or delicate flavors, there’s something for everyone. Here’s a quick guide to the most famous Chinese cuisines you should try on your trip:

1. Sichuan Cuisine

• Where to find it: Sichuan, Chongqing
• Flavor profile: Bold, spicy, and numbing; often uses Sichuan peppercorns, chili, and broad bean paste.
• Signature dishes: Kung Pao Chicken, Mapo Tofu, Boiled Fish with Spicy Sauce
• Special ingredients: Pixian broad bean paste, Sichuan peppercorns, chili oil

2. Cantonese Cuisine

• Where to find it: Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macau
• Flavor profile: Light, fresh, and natural; focuses on steaming, braising, and simmering.
• Signature dishes: White Cut Chicken, Roast Goose, Har Gow (shrimp dumplings)
• Special ingredients: Seafood, preserved foods, dried goods like scallops

3. Shandong Cuisine

• Where to find it: Shandong and northern China
• Flavor profile: Savory and salty; excels at stir-frying, deep-frying, and stewing; uses a lot of garlic, ginger, and scallions.
• Signature dishes: Braised Pork Intestines, Dezhou Braised Chicken, Clear Soup with Bird’s Nest
• Special ingredients: Sea cucumber, abalone, prawns

4. Jiangsu Cuisine

• Where to find it: Jiangsu, Nanjing, Yangzhou, Suzhou
• Flavor profile: Slightly sweet, with rich sauces; emphasizes knife skills and presentation.
• Signature dishes: Squirrel-shaped Mandarin Fish, Salted Duck, Braised Pork Meatballs
• Special ingredients: Freshwater fish and shrimp, crab, bamboo shoots

5. Zhejiang Cuisine

• Where to find it: Zhejiang, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Shaoxing
• Flavor profile: Fresh and tender; highlights seasonal ingredients and freshness.
• Signature dishes: West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy, Dongpo Pork, Shrimp with Longjing Tea
• Special ingredients: Freshwater fish, river shrimp, tea leaves

6. Fujian Cuisine

• Where to find it: Fujian, Taiwan
• Flavor profile: Light, aromatic, slightly sweet; known for rich soups and layered flavors.
• Signature dishes: Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, Lychee-flavored Pork, Mashed Taro with Syrup
• Special ingredients: Seafood, mushrooms, bamboo shoots

7. Hunan Cuisine

• Where to find it: Hunan
• Flavor profile: Spicy, tangy, and appetizing; often uses pickled or smoked ingredients.
• Signature dishes: Steamed Fish Head with Chopped Chili, Spicy Chicken, Hot and Sour Shredded Tripe
• Special ingredients: Chopped chili, cured meat, pickled beans

8. Anhui Cuisine

• Where to find it: Huangshan and Huizhou regions, Anhui
• Flavor profile: Natural flavors; uses wild and mountain ingredients with careful cooking.
• Signature dishes: Braised Pork with Bamboo Shoots, Turtle Soup with Ham, Stinky Mandarin Fish
• Special ingredients: Dried bamboo shoots, wild vegetables, river delicacies

💡 Tourist Tip:
When ordering in China, pick a cuisine that matches your flavor preference. Love spicy? Try Sichuan or Hunan. Prefer mild and fresh? Go for Cantonese or Zhejiang cuisine. Don’t worry—you don’t have to travel to the origin city to taste authentic dishes. Most major cities in China offer a wide range of regional foods, though the flavor might be slightly more authentic in the local hometown.