11 Foods to Eat in China

There is no denying that China is one of the richest tourist attractions in the world. The vast country is not just rich in attractions but also boasts of a diverse culture and culinary expertise not found anywhere else in the entire universe. The variety, modes of preparation and how the foods are eaten are some of the reasons why most people see it best to go for online passport renewal so that they can embark on purely food tours in China. If this has been a long dream of yours, and you feel the time to make it come true is now, then you can be assured of a magnificent trip, and to help you out with the varieties, here is a brief look into some of the dishes you must try-:

Sweet and sour pork

You could have probably seen or even tasted this dish in a Chinese restaurant in your home country, but you will never taste anything like when in China. For beginners, it features pork fried in a doughy butter, before being dressed with different sauces. It is mostly served with rice, and it is available almost every restaurant you will walk into while in China.

Kung Pao Chicken

Irrespective of the number of chicken dishes you have had in your life, you can expect a completely new experience with the varieties you will be found in China and one of the best you should never miss is the Kung Pao Chicken. It is a famous Sichuan specialty and is loved by both foreigners and locals. The major components of this tasty delicacy include fried peanuts, dried chili, and diced chicken.

Ma Po Tofu

Ma Po Tofu is not just another delicacy worth trying in China, but it is one that comes with a lot of history behind it. It is very famous in the Chuan region, where it is believed to have been around for over 100 years. The delicacy features brownish red ground beef prepared with lots of chopped green onions, in addition to a variety of spices which makes it spicy and mildly hot. It is literally one of the tastiest delicacies you will have while in China.

Wontons

In China, it is a custom for people to eat wontons during the winter solstice and this is a tradition that has been practiced since 618 during the Tang Dynasty. The most common shape of wonton you will encounter are the triangle ones, which are almost similar to tortellini from Italy. They are usually boiled then served in a soup, though they can also be deep fried as a variation in the preparation. The wontons are normally stuffed with diced shrimp or minced meat.

Dumplings

Dumplings have been around in China for more than 1,800 years. They are a traditional delicacy synonymous with the northern parts of the country, and the primarily consist of a mixture of minced meat and chopped vegetables which are then carefully wrapped in a very thin piece of dough skin. Some of the popular filings for dumpling include beef, chicken, vegetables and diced shrimp. They can be steamed, boiled or fried, and if you happen to visit China around the Chinese New Year, then you can be sure to eat a lot of them.

Chow Mein

A sampling of Chinese delicacies will never be complete without trying out the noodles, and the perfect introduction to the noodle dishes is the Chow Mein noodles. The name loosely translates into stir-fried noodles. Most of the time, it consists of meats such as shrimp, chicken or pork, together with celery and onions. In making the dish, the noodles are first cooked in boiling water for some minutes until they are soft and tender. They are then allowed to cool before they are stir-fried.

Peking Roasted Duck

Ducks are a very common street food in China and if you want the perfect duck first experience, then you should not try anything other than the Peking roasted duck. This is a famous dish in China, mainly in Beijing, and is regarded as one of the country’s national dishes. The dish is cherished for its crispy thin skin. It is normally eaten with sweet bean sauce, pancakes, and mashed garlic. If you happen to be in Beijing, then this is a dish you must give a try by all means.

Spring Rolls

You may have tasted a million spring rolls before, but none will taste like the dim sums you find in China. The fillings in the rolls are mainly meat or vegetables and they could either be sour or sweet. In preparing the rolls, the fillings are neatly wrapped in a spring roll wrapper then deep fried to golden yellow color before being allowed to cool.

Sichuan shredded chicken

Here is another chicken variety that makes it to the list of the must-try foods in China. It is a spicy chicken native to the Sichuan region, hence the name, and it features shredded chicken which is first cooked over high heat in a mixture comprising of bamboo shoots, carrots, and a decent amount of green peppers. The sauce for the chicken is a bit sour and a bit sweet with a generous amount of garlic to introduce the sweet but pungent flavor adored by many.

Hairy Crab

If you happen to be in Shanghai during the months of fall, then you will meet lots of hairy crabs roaming everywhere. When the crabs are steamed to perfection with the local expertise, then you are guaranteed of enjoying very nice and delicious meals from the shells. The locals prefer to dip the crab in a dark vinegar sauce before sending it down their throats, and it is something you can also try, though most foreigners do find it strange and unusual. 

Dan dan noodles

If you consider online passport renewal for a trip to China, then you must not tire about eating lots of noodle dishes and the dan dan noodles is another one that finds a mention in our list. It is a spicy noodle dish from the Sichuan region, and most Chinese consider it as a comfort food. The noodles are prepared in a spicy sauce featuring preserved vegetables, minced pork, chili oil, and lots of scallions.