Chinese cuisine is a wide variety of flavors, textures, and cooking methods that represent the various parts of China, as well as its various cultures and customs. Chinese cuisine features an amazing variety of foods, from hearty noodle soups and dim sum to intricate, fiery dishes made with Sichuan peppercorns, all of which are influenced by both traditional cooking methods and contemporary inventions. The Chinese food list is famous around the world for its harmony of flavors—salty, sweet, sour, spicy, and umami—Chinese food provides a flavorful experience that is both robust and complex. There is something for every palate, whether you’re enjoying traditional fried rice, crunchy Peking duck, or delicate mango dessert. So here is a detailed and most admired cuisines of china that you should try.
Appetizers & Snacks
1. Spring Rolls
It’s a dish that holds a Crispy roll filled with vegetables or meat, and it is a must-to-be dish on the Chinese food list as people love it as a street food.
- Famous for: Crispy texture and savory filling, often enjoyed as a starter or street food.
- Ingredients: Spring roll wrappers, cabbage, carrots, bean sprouts, ground pork or shrimp, soy sauce, garlic, ginger.
2. Dumplings (Jiaozi)
People often get a bad idea that Chinese dumplings and momos are the same. But actually, they are not. Yes, even this Chinese food item resembles momos as dumplings are boiled, steamed, or fried dumplings filled with pork, shrimp, or vegetables. Which is pretty similar but different dough is used to make two of these foods.
- Famous for: Symbolic of family and good luck, these are especially popular during Chinese New Year.
- Ingredients: Flour wrappers, ground pork or shrimp, cabbage, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil.
3. Baozi (Steamed Buns)
Well, Baozi is a famous Chinese food, and the people live by this food item. And they are commonly known as steamed buns, they are fluffy buns filled with meat or sweet pastes. You can find the best Chinese food in different textures and flavors with unique and they are very delicious and must try.
- Famous for: Their fluffy texture and variety of sweet and savory fillings.
- Ingredients: Flour, yeast, pork or red bean paste (filling), soy sauce, sugar.
4. Xiaolongbao (Soup Dumplings) – Must Try Chinese Dish
Well, you could have come across this famous Chinese food on social media. And it is one of the most delightful cuisines of China must add. Soup Dumplings filled with broth and meat, often pork, a famous dish on the Asian food menu. Well, why is it so? let’s find out,
- Famous for: Unique broth-filled dumplings that burst with flavor, especially popular in Shanghai.
- Ingredients: Dumpling wrappers, pork, chicken broth, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil.
5. Scallion Pancakes
Pan-fried savory pancakes with scallions, also called green onion pancakes. The dough is folded repeatedly into multiple layers to give a puff texture, with oil and green onions added between each layer. It is a crispy and crunchy Chinese dish known for its chewy texture.
- Famous for: Flaky, crispy layers packed with savory scallion flavor.
- Ingredients: Flour, water, scallions, sesame oil, salt.
6. Hot and Sour Soup
Hot soup is something that is indeed a famous food item across the world. And in the Chinese menu list, it holds a tangy flavor and spiciness with Chinese food veggies.
- Famous for: Balances hot spices with sour vinegar, creating a unique, comforting flavor.
- Ingredients: Chicken or pork, tofu, shiitake mushrooms, bamboo shoots, vinegar, soy sauce, chili paste.
7. Century Eggs
Well, American or any other for that fact even a Chinese Food List cannot be complete with an egg dish. Century Eggs is a dish by China where the preserved eggs of strong, unique flavor, are often served with tofu or congee.
- Famous for: A unique, bold flavor with a creamy yolk, enjoyed as a delicacy.
- Ingredients: Preserved duck or chicken eggs, tofu, soy sauce, ginger (for serving).
8. Dan Dan Noodles
Are you a person who likes dry noodles and your friend likes soupy ones, how about finding the same dish in two different textures? Yes, this item in the Chinese food list is spicy noodles with minced pork, chili oil, and Sichuan pepper, which you can choose in two textures.
- Famous for: A unique, bold flavor with a creamy yolk, enjoyed as a delicacy.
- Ingredients: Preserved duck or chicken eggs, tofu, soy sauce, ginger (for serving).
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Rice & Noodles
9. Yangzhou Fried Rice
Fried rice has always been a Classic Chinese food favorite for larger people, and it is the best-flavored rice dished devoured around the world. The Chinese-style fried rice is made in different varieties like shrimp, veggies, and scrambled eggs.
- Famous for: Classic Chinese fried rice known for its colorful appearance and balanced flavors.
- Ingredients: Rice, shrimp, eggs, green peas, carrots, ham, soy sauce, scallions.
10. Congee (Rice Porridge)
Well in India how we make rice ganji, this dish in the Chinese Food List is pretty much similar. It is a go-to home comfort recipe that you could rely on when you’re sick or make it cold weather and eat it. This Chinese dish is warm, comforting porridge often served with savory toppings.
- Famous for: Warm and comforting, often served as breakfast or for the unwell.
- Ingredients: Rice, water or broth, chicken or pork (optional), ginger, scallions.
11. Chow Mein
Well, who doesn’t love a little cup of hot noodles? This stir-fried noodles with vegetables, meat, and soy sauce is a famous Chinese dish across the country known for its delightfulness and flavors. If their no Chow Mein, then the cuisine of China is incomplete.
- Famous for: Stir-fried noodles with a satisfying crunch from quick frying.
- Ingredients: Egg noodles, cabbage, carrots, bell peppers, chicken or shrimp, soy sauce, garlic.
12. Lo Mein
Lo Mein noodles entirely differ from Cho Mein noodles, the texture and flour of noodles are different. Cho Mein is made of soft wheat noodles stir-fried with veggies and a choice of meat or tofu.
- Famous for: Soft, savory noodles with vegetables and sauce.
- Ingredients: Wheat noodles, chicken or shrimp, cabbage, carrots, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
13. Beef Chow Fun
Yummy noodles made from rice flour, fluffy texture, and incredible taste of beef. Beef Chow Fun is a flat rice noodles stir-fried with beef and bean sprouts, enhanced with soy, and spices.
- Famous for: Chewy flat noodles with tender beef and soy flavors, popular in Cantonese cuisine.
- Ingredients: Wide rice noodles, beef, soy sauce, bean sprouts, scallions, garlic.
14. Sichuan Cold Noodles
Well as flavourful and delicious as the hot cho mein be, the cuisines of China really surprise food lovers with tasty and interesting cooking methods. Cold noodles tossed with spicy sauce, peanuts, and scallions, is an interesting Chinese food to try.
- Famous for: Refreshing and spicy, served cold with a nutty, spicy sauce.
- Ingredients: Wheat noodles, sesame paste, soy sauce, vinegar, chili oil, peanuts, cucumber.
Meat & Poultry Chinese Dishes
15. Peking Duck
Roasted duck with crispy skin served with thin pancakes and hoisin sauce. For all meat lovers, it’s a savory Chinese dish and it is an authentic and ancient dish followed by ages. So, if you are someone who likes to try interesting dishes then this is must must-try one.
- Famous for: Crispy, golden skin with succulent meat, often served with pancakes.
- Ingredients: Whole duck, hoisin sauce, scallions, cucumber, pancakes.
16. Kung Pao Chicken
Spicy stir-fried chicken with peanuts, chili peppers, and Sichuan peppercorns.
- Famous for: Spicy, nutty dish with Sichuan peppercorns for numbing heat.
- Ingredients: Chicken, peanuts, dried chili peppers, garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, Sichuan pepper.
17. Sweet and Sour Pork
Deep-fried pork in a tangy sauce with pineapple and bell peppers.
- Famous for: Sweet, tangy sauce and crispy pork bites.
- Ingredients: Pork, bell peppers, pineapple, ketchup, vinegar, sugar, soy sauce.
18. Moo Shu Pork
Stir-fried pork with vegetables and thin pancakes.
- Famous for: Savory pork stir-fry served with thin pancakes, popular in Northern China.
- Ingredients: Pork, cabbage, mushrooms, scrambled egg, hoisin sauce, flour pancakes.
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19. General Tso’s Chicken
Deep-fried chicken tossed in a sweet, spicy sauce.
- Famous for: Sweet and spicy, crispy chicken, especially popular in American-Chinese cuisine.
- Ingredients: Chicken, soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, garlic, chili peppers.
20. Mapo Tofu
Soft tofu and ground pork in a spicy, numbing Sichuan sauce.
- Famous for: Spicy, numbing tofu with ground pork, a Sichuan classic.
- Ingredients: Tofu, ground pork, Sichuan peppercorn, garlic, soy sauce, chili bean paste.
21. Braised Pork Belly (Hong Shao Rou)
Slow-cooked pork belly in a sweet, savory sauce.
- Famous for: Tender, caramelized pork belly, a comfort food staple.
- Ingredients: Pork belly, soy sauce, sugar, ginger, rice wine.
22. Char Siu
Cantonese-style BBQ pork with a sweet glaze.
- Famous for: Sweet, sticky pork with a vibrant red glaze.
- Ingredients: Pork shoulder, honey, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, Chinese five-spice powder.
23. Tea-Smoked Duck
Duck smoked with tea leaves for a unique flavor.
- Famous for: Aromatic flavor from tea leaves, popular in Sichuan cuisine.
- Ingredients: Duck, tea leaves, rice, brown sugar, soy sauce.
24. Three-Cup Chicken
Chicken simmered with soy sauce, rice wine, and sesame oil.
- Famous for: Named for its trio of flavors from soy sauce, rice wine, and sesame oil.
- Ingredients: Chicken, soy sauce, rice wine, sesame oil, basil, ginger.
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25. Sichuan Boiled Fish
Poached fish in a spicy, numbing Sichuan broth.
- Famous for: Spicy, numbing dish served in a fiery broth.
- Ingredients: White fish, chili peppers, Sichuan peppercorn, garlic, ginger.
26. Crispy Orange Chicken
Fried chicken in a sweet orange-flavored sauce.
- Famous for: Sweet and tangy orange glaze on crispy chicken.
- Ingredients: Chicken, orange juice, sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic.
Chinese Veggies & Sides Food List
27. Stir-fried bok Choy with Garlic
Simple, healthy stir-fried bok choy.
28. Eggplant in Garlic Sauce
Braised eggplant in a savory, slightly spicy sauce.
29. Braised Tofu with Mushrooms
Tofu and mushrooms in a savory sauce.
30. Mapo Eggplant
Eggplant cooked in a spicy sauce similar to Mapo Tofu.
31. Stir-fried water Spinach (Kangkung)
Crunchy greens with garlic and soy.
33. Sichuan Dry-Fried Green Beans
Spicy, crispy green beans with minced pork.
34. Lotus Root Stir-Fry
Crunchy lotus root stir-fried with veggies.
35. Hot Pot Vegetables
Fresh vegetables dipped in a spicy hot pot broth.
Must Chinese Desserts Food List
36. Sesame Balls (Jian Dui)
Sesame-seed-coated, golden, crispy balls of glutinous rice filled with lotus or sweet red bean paste. It has a delightful crunch on the outside and is perfectly chewy inside, a well-liked dessert dish in China.
37. Mango Pudding
Made with milk, gelatin, and ripe mangoes, this pudding is smooth and creamy. This pleasant and chilled tropical dessert is popular throughout Asia and is frequently topped with condensed milk or fresh fruit.
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38. Egg Tarts
Rich, custardy egg filling inside buttery, flaky pastry shells. They have a creamy, sweet taste and are a popular dessert in Cantonese dim sum, with Portuguese influences.
39. Tangyuan (Glutinous Rice Balls)
Chewy, soft rice balls stuffed with peanut or black sesame paste. This Chinese dish represents harmony and family togetherness and is typically consumed during festivals. They are served in a delicious ginger broth.
40. Mooncakes
Rich pastries filled with thick contents, such as red bean paste or lotus seed, and occasionally salted egg yolks. They represent good fortune and reunion and are consumed during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
41. Almond Jelly
Light, silky jelly with a subtle almond flavor, typically served with fruit or syrup. This refreshing dessert is popular for its smooth texture and mildly sweet, fragrant taste.
Chinese Street Food List – Famous Must-Try Items
42. Shaokao (Chinese BBQ Skewers)
Grilled meat and vegetables on skewers with spices.
43. Zha Jiang Mian
Noodles with ground pork in fermented soybean paste, popular in Beijing.
44. Lamb Skewers
Xinjiang-style spiced lamb skewers.
45. Rou Jia Mo (Chinese Hamburger)
Flatbread filled with shredded, spiced pork or beef.
46. Hand-Pulled Noodles
Fresh noodles are made by hand-pulling, often served with a savory broth.
47. Guo Bao Rou
Sweet and sour crispy pork, a specialty from Northeast China.
48. Sheng Jian Bao (Pan-Fried Soup Buns)
Soup-filled buns with a crispy bottom.
49. Biang Biang Noodles
Thick, wide noodles with chili oil and minced meat topping.
50. Cantonese Roast Goose
Roasted goose with crispy skin, a delicacy in Cantonese cuisine.
Conclusion
Well, those were the 50 delicious Chinese dishes to try, covering a variety of flavors, cooking techniques, and regions. Well, the Chinese food list is endless indeed. They include some classics and specialties you might find at authentic Chinese restaurants or in China itself. So explore the variety of Chinese cuisine and food veggies without miss.
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