Chinese rarely have bacon and eggs for breakfast. Instead, they have a bowl of hot rice congee with a few pickled vegetables or other side dishes. On the run, instead of a doughnut and coffee, Chinese have you tiao ( fried cruller ) and doujiang ( soybean milk ). If you’d like to try breakfast Chinese-style, ask a local friend where to find these favorite items:
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bao zi | Steamed dumpling |
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da mi zhou | rice congee | |
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dou sha bao | steamed bean-paste dumpling | |
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pao cai | pickled vegetable | |
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rou song | shredded dried meat |
You’ve finally found a place to eat. You’re seated at the table, and the waiter has handed you the menu. Now what? If you are puzzled by the menu at hand, try pointing to some of the choices below and asking You mei you zhe ge? ( Do you have this? ) The items here are standard dishes available at most restaurants.
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xiang su ji | crispy fried chicken |
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gong bao ji ding | hot spicy chicken with peanuts | |
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tang cu yu | sweet-and-sour fish | |
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hong shao yu | braised fish in brown sauce | |
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mu xu rou | mushu pork | |
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yu xiang rou si | pork in hot garlic sauce | |
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ma po dou fu | hot spicy bean curd | |
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sha guo dou fu | bean curd casserole | |
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chao dou ya | sauteed bean sprouts | |
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suan la tang | hot-and-sour soup |
The most popular beverage in China is tea. Tea is said to have many curative effects, from improving eyesight and preventing tooth decay to helping reduce weight. Below are the names of the basic teas in China.
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cha |
An unfermented tea with a clear taste and dark green color. The most famous green tea is West Lake Dragon Well Tea ( xi hu long jing cha ) produced in Hangzhou. It is known for its delicate taste. |
| Green Tea: | |
hong cha |
A fermented tea with a fruit fragrance and mellow taste. A famous black tea is Keemun Tea ( qi hong ) produced in Qimen, Anhui province. It has a sweet aftertaste. |
| Black Tea: | |
wu long cha |
A semi-fermented tea produced in Fujian and Taiwan. A famous oolong tea is Iron Goddess of Mercy Tea ( tie guan yin cha ) which has a sweet aroma and concentrated taste. |
| Oolong Tea: | |
hua cha |
A tea produced by smoke-processing tea leaves with flower petals. Jasmine Tea ( mo li hua cha ) is popular for its clear taste and jasmine fragrance. |
| Scented Tea |
As you travel throughout China, you will have the chance to sample many local snacks. Below are some of the most popular snacks in four major cities.
| Beijing | |||
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bing tang hu lu | candied haws on a stick |
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shuan yang rou | Mongolian hot pot | |
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wan dou huang | pea-flour cake | |
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xing ren cha | almond-flour tea | |
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yang rou chuan | mutton shish kebab | |
| Shanghai | |||
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dou sha bao | sweet bean-paste dumplings | |
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xiao long bao | small steamed dumplings | |
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zhi ma tang yuan | sesame sweet-rice dumplings in soup | |
| Xi’an | |||
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shi zi bing | fried persimmon cake | |
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yang rou pao mo | crumbled unleavened bread soaked in lamb stew | |
| Guangzhou | |||
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chun juan | spring roll |
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shao mai | steamed pork dumpling | |
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xia jiao | shrimp dumplings | |
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he ye fan | rice wrapped in fresh lotus leaf | |
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zha xia qiu | fried shrimp balls | |
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