Best Chinese Food: 27 Must-Try Dishes | Cooking China

Chinese cuisine is a rich tapestry of tastes and traditions that goes back thousands of years. With its diverse cooking styles and unique flavors, it's no wonder why it's celebrated globally.

In this guide, we'll introduce you to 27 must-try dishes that will surely transport your taste buds straight to the heart of China.

Plus, we'll explore the essence of traditional Chinese cuisine, unravel the secrets behind the authentic taste, and even delve into some cooking techniques that you might find handy in your culinary adventures.

Read on and get ready to be inspired by the rich and delicious flavors of Chinese cuisine.

What is Traditional Chinese Cuisine?

Chinese cuisine is much more than the popular dishes you might find in your local takeout. It's a grand tradition that reflects the rich cultural tapestry of China. With its roots stretching back thousands of years, traditional Chinese cuisine is a crucial part of China's heritage.

What is Traditional Chinese Cooking?

Traditional Chinese cooking is an art form where balance is key. It's not just about the taste, but also the color, aroma, and texture of the dish. Each ingredient, from the sesame oil to the soy sauce, plays a vital role in creating a harmonious experience for the senses. The philosophy of Yin and Yang is often represented in Chinese cuisine, where a balance between different flavors and textures is sought in every dish.

What are the 4 Styles of Chinese Cooking?

Chinese cooking is diverse, with several regional cuisines, each with its own unique characteristics. However, it's commonly divided into four major styles:

1. Cantonese Cuisine: Known for its mild, sweet flavors, and a wide variety of veggies, meats, and seafood. The techniques of steaming and stir-frying are predominantly used.

2. Szechuan Cuisine: Famous for its bold, spicy flavors thanks to the liberal use of garlic, chili peppers, and Sichuan peppercorn. It's a cuisine that truly packs a punch.

3. Shandong Cuisine: This northern style of cooking is known for its emphasis on seafood, with a preference for boiling and simple seasoning to preserve the natural flavors of the ingredients.

4. Huaiyang Cuisine: Renowned for its soft, tender textures and a preference for light sweetness and umami. The dishes are often braised or stewed to perfection.

Each of these styles has its own set of principles and techniques that contribute to the vast and varied tapestry of Chinese cuisine. They embody the essence of Chinese culture and the country's profound historical and regional diversity.

27 must-try dishes

Here, we've curated a list of 27 must-try dishes that encapsulate the essence of Chinese food. Whether you're a seasoned foodie or a curious beginner, these dishes offer a taste of China's diverse culinary landscape.

1. Sweet and Sour Pork:

    

   A classic dish where tender pork is coated in a tangy, sweet sauce, creating a perfect balance of flavors. Get the recipe. 

2. Kung Pao Chicken:

   

    

   A spicy, stir-fried chicken dish mixed with crunchy peanuts and vegetables, embodying the bold flavors of Szechuan cuisine. Get the recipe. 

3. Dumplings:

   

    

   A staple in Chinese cuisine, these pockets of joy can be filled with a variety of ingredients like beef, chicken, or veggies.Get the recipe. 

4. Spring Rolls:

   

   Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, these rolls are a delightful appetizer to start your Chinese food adventure. Get the recipe.

5. General Tso's Chicken:

   

   A sweet, slightly spicy, deep-fried chicken dish that's a hit in Chinese restaurants in the United States. Get the recipe.

6. Char Siu (BBQ Pork):

   
   

   Tender, flavorful, and slightly sweet, this BBQ pork is a Cantonese favorite. Get the recipe. 

7. Hot Pot:

   

   A communal dining experience where you cook a variety of meats and vegetables in a simmering pot of broth. Get the recipe. 

8. Mapo Tofu:

   

   A spicy Szechuan dish made with soft tofu, minced pork, and a generous amount of chili bean paste. Get the recipe.

9. Peking Duck:

   Known for its crispy skin and tender meat, this dish is a royal treat.

10. Beef and Broccoli:

    

    A simple, nutritious dish that combines tender beef strips with fresh broccoli in a savory sauce. Get the recipe.

11. Chow Mein:

    

    Stir-fried noodles with a mix of meat and vegetables, a simple yet satisfying dish. Get the recipe.

12. Moo Shu Pork:

    

    A flavorful mixture of pork, egg, and veggies, usually served with thin pancakes. Get the recipe.

13. Baozi (Steamed Buns):

    

     

    Soft, fluffy buns filled with savory or sweet fillings, a comforting snack any time of the day. Get the recipe.

14. Yangzhou Fried Rice:

    

    A flavorful fried rice dish mixed with a variety of ingredients like shrimp, ham, peas, and carrots, showcasing the versatility of Chinese cuisine.

15. Wonton Soup:

    

    Warm, comforting soup with tender wontons filled with minced pork and shrimp.

16. Beef Chow Fun:

    

    Stir-fried flat rice noodles with slices of beef and bean sprouts, a Cantonese street food classic. Get the recipe.

17. Xiao Long Bao (Soup Dumplings):

    Delicate dumplings filled with meat and savory broth, a comforting and delightful treat.

18. Dan Dan Noodles:

    

    A spicy Szechuan dish featuring noodles tossed in a savory, spicy sauce topped with crispy minced pork. Get the recipe. 

19. Dongpo Pork:

    A succulent, slow-cooked pork belly with a sweet and savory glaze, named after the famous poet Su Dongpo. Get the recipe.

20. Chicken Stew with Mushrooms:

    

     

    A hearty and comforting stew where chicken and mushrooms simmer together, creating a rich, flavorful broth. Get the recipe.

21. Squirrel-shaped Mandarin Fish:

    A visually stunning dish where the fish is scored and fried to resemble a squirrel, served with a sweet and sour sauce.

22. Pork Belly with Preserved Mustard Greens:

    

    A savory and slightly tangy dish, showcasing the beautiful combination of tender pork belly and pickled greens. Get the recipe.

23. Ginger and Scallion Crab:

    A delightful seafood dish where crab is stir-fried with a fragrant mix of ginger and scallions, celebrating the fresh flavors of the sea.

24. Shrimp with Scrambled Egg: 

    

    A delicate and comforting dish where succulent shrimp is paired with soft, fluffy scrambled eggs, creating a delightful texture and flavor combination. Try the variation with mushroom for additional umami. 

25. Steamed Fish:

    

    A classic Chinese dish that showcases the purity and freshness of the fish, steamed to perfection with a light soy sauce, ginger, and scallions.

26. Guo Bao Rou:

    

    A dish from Northeast China, featuring thinly sliced pork in a crispy, sweet and sour batter, offering a tantalizing contrast of textures and flavors. Get the recipe.

27. Chongqing Spicy Chicken:

    

    A fiery and flavorful dish from the Sichuan province, where bite-sized pieces of chicken are stir-fried with a generous amount of chili peppers and numbing Sichuan peppercorns. Get the recipe. 

Whether you're exploring the subtle and comforting flavors of Shrimp with Scrambled Egg, or daring to try the bold and spicy notes of Chongqing Spicy Chicken, there's a story and a tradition behind every dish waiting to be discovered and savored.

Why Does Chinese Food from Home Not Taste the Same?

There's a certain magic to the Chinese food you get from a restaurant or a street vendor in China. The flavors are rich, the textures are just right, and every bite seems to tell a story. However, when attempting to recreate these dishes at home, the outcome often falls a bit short. Why is that? Let's unravel this culinary mystery.

What is the Secret to Cooking Chinese Food?

The secret lies in a combination of factors: the ingredients, the techniques, and the experience of the cook. Traditional Chinese restaurants often have access to a variety of authentic ingredients and condiments like soy sauce, sesame oil, and ginger that might not be as easily available or as varied in quality elsewhere. These ingredients are the backbone of creating that authentic Chinese taste.

Moreover, the cooking techniques used in Chinese cuisine are honed over years, if not decades, of practice. The high heat of the wok, the timing of adding ingredients, and the swift, precise motions of the cook all contribute to the final taste of the dish. There's a reason why it's called the art of Chinese cooking!

Furthermore, many traditional recipes have been passed down through generations, and each cook adds their own touch to the recipes, making the dish unique yet authentic. This level of mastery and personal touch is something that's hard to replicate at home, especially without the right guidance.

But fear not! With the right ingredients, a bit of practice, and a dash of patience, you can get closer to creating authentic Chinese dishes in your own kitchen. And who knows? You might discover your own unique style of Chinese cooking along the way.

As you venture into the world of Chinese cuisine, remember that every cook starts somewhere. So, don't be disheartened if your first few attempts don't meet your expectations. With each dish, you're not just cooking; you're learning, experiencing, and embracing a rich and ancient culinary tradition. And that's a journey worth embarking on.

Is Chinese Food Hard to Cook?

The perception of Chinese food being difficult to cook is a common one, especially among those who are new to its culinary traditions. The intricacies of Chinese cooking techniques, coupled with the vast variety of ingredients, can indeed seem daunting at first glance. However, like any culinary endeavor, the difficulty can vary significantly depending on the dish you choose to tackle.

What is the Hardest Chinese Dish to Make?

Some Chinese dishes are known for their complexity and the skill required to make them. For instance, the famous Peking Duck is a dish that demands time, patience, and a level of expertise that comes with practice. The process of air-drying the duck to achieve that perfectly crispy skin is an art in itself.

What is the Traditional Way of Cooking in China?

The traditional way of cooking in China often involves techniques like stir-frying, steaming, and braising. The use of a wok for stir-frying is a hallmark of Chinese cooking, allowing for a unique flavor and texture that is hard to replicate with other cooking utensils.

The high heat and the continuous movement of ingredients ensure that everything is cooked quickly while retaining its flavor and crunch.

What is the Most Well Known Chinese Cooking Method?

Stir-frying is perhaps the most well-known Chinese cooking method globally. It's a technique that encapsulates the essence of Chinese cooking—fast, fresh, and full of flavor. With just a wok, some sesame oil, and a handful of fresh ingredients, you can whip up a delicious Chinese dish in a matter of minutes.

The beauty of Chinese cuisine is that it offers a wide spectrum of complexity. There are simple recipes like fried rice or noodles that are perfect for beginners, and as you gain confidence and experience, you can venture into more complex recipes like dumplings or General Tso's Chicken.

So, is Chinese food hard to cook? It can be, but it doesn't have to be. With a willingness to learn and a bit of practice, you can master the basics and gradually work your way up to more complex dishes.

What is the velveting technique in Chinese cooking?

In the realm of Chinese cuisine, certain techniques are quintessential in achieving that restaurant-quality taste and texture in dishes.

One such technique is "velveting." This culinary practice is the secret behind the tender and succulent pieces of meat often found in Chinese dishes. Whether it's a stir-fry or a stew, velveting is a technique that can elevate your home-cooked Chinese food to a professional level.

Velveting involves marinating the meat in a mixture of cornstarch, egg white, and rice wine or dry sherry as substitute, and then blanching it in water or oil before finally stir-frying with vegetables and sauces. This process encapsulates the meat in a sort of protective layer that keeps it tender and juicy, even when exposed to the high heat of stir-frying.

Here's a simplified breakdown of the velveting process:

1. Slice the Meat: Start by slicing your choice of meat into thin, bite-sized pieces. This increases the surface area that gets coated in the velveting mixture, ensuring a tender result.

2. Prepare the Marinade: Mix together cornstarch, egg white, and rice wine or sherry. This mixture is what creates the "velvet" texture in the meat.

3. Marinate the Meat: Toss the sliced meat in the marinade and let it sit for about 30 minutes to an hour. This allows the meat to absorb the marinade, which helps in tenderizing it.

4. Blanch the Meat: Heat water or oil in a wok or a frying pan, and briefly cook the marinated meat. This step seals in the juices and prepares the meat for the final cooking stage.

5. Stir-fry: Now your velveted meat is ready to be stir-fried with your choice of vegetables, noodles, or rice, along with sauces and seasonings.

Are online cooking classes worth it?

In today's digital age, learning has transcended the traditional classroom setting, making its way into the virtual realm. This holds true for culinary learning as well. Online cooking classes have emerged as a convenient and accessible way to learn and master the art of cooking, including the intricate and flavorful world of Chinese cuisine. But the question remains: are online cooking classes worth it? The answer can vary based on personal preferences, goals, and the level of engagement one is seeking.

Here are some factors to consider when contemplating the value of online cooking classes:

1. Accessibility: One of the biggest advantages of online cooking classes is the accessibility they offer. No matter where you are in the world, you can learn Chinese cooking from experienced chefs, right from the comfort of your home.

2. Flexibility: Online classes often come with the flexibility of learning at your own pace. This is especially beneficial for individuals with busy schedules who still wish to pursue a culinary journey in Chinese cuisine.

3. Cost-Effectiveness: Generally, online cooking classes are more cost-effective compared to in-person classes. They provide a platform to learn and improve your cooking skills without a hefty price tag.

4. Variety of Resources: The online platform provides a plethora of resources, from video tutorials to downloadable recipes and interactive Q&A sessions. This variety can cater to different learning styles and preferences.

5. Interactive Learning: Many online cooking platforms offer interactive sessions where you can ask questions and get feedback. This interactive element can significantly enhance the learning experience.

6. Community Engagement: Online classes often have community forums where you can interact with fellow enthusiasts, share your culinary creations, and learn from others’ experiences.

7. Access to Global Instructors: The virtual nature of online classes allows you to learn from instructors from different parts of the world, providing a more diverse and enriched learning experience.

8. Skill Development: Whether you're a novice or an experienced cook, online classes can provide new insights, techniques, and a structured pathway to hone your skills.

9. Documented Progress: Online platforms often provide a way to document and track your progress, which can be motivating and rewarding.

10. Fun and Enjoyable: Lastly, online cooking classes can be a lot of fun. They provide a platform to experiment, make mistakes, learn, and eventually create delicious Chinese dishes that you can be proud of.

Investing in online cooking classes could be a stepping stone towards achieving your culinary goals. They offer a structured yet flexible way to delve deeper into the delicious and diverse world of Chinese cuisine.

So, if you're curious and keen on expanding your culinary horizons, enrolling in an online cooking class might just be the ingredient you need for a rewarding and savory adventure.