“Chinese food tries to engage the mind, not just the palate. To provoke the intellect.” — Food writer Nicole Mones
Chinese Cuisine
Authentic Chinese Food
With over 21 provinces and 5 autonomous regions, China’s culture is shaped by the many ethnicities that make it whole. Early Chinese records show the cuisine began over 50,000 years ago and gradually matured through the 83 royal dynasties. Core Chinese flavors have evolved throughout the years, infusing the traditional with the modern age. Take, for example, the heavy influences of philosophy and traditional Chinese medicine. Concepts like yin and yang and the five Chinese elements are reflected in many Chinese dishes.
Top 20 Chinese Dishes
- Yangzhou Fried Rice
- Dan Dan Noodles
- Zha Jiang Noodles
- Beef Chow Fun
- Stir Fry Tomato & Egg
- Red Braised Pork Belly
- Fermented Stinky Tofu
- Hainanese Chicken Rice
- Sichuan Twice Cooked Pork
- Scallion Pancake
- Mapo Tofu
- Chinese BBQ Pork
- Cantonese Style Sausages
- Cantonese Poached Chicken
- Oyster Omelette
- Soup Dumplings
- Peking Duck
- Wonton Soup
- Claypot Rice
- Congee
The History of Chinese Food
China’s vast and open landscape was once constrained by a lack of resources, but the early Silk Road trade routes of 130 B.C. changed all of this. During this time of political growth, the Chinese Han Dynasty developed a sophisticated trade network that connected them to the Western world. The Silk Road became a global marketplace, where travelers from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia shared spices, herbs, and cultural ideologies with one another. In parallel, China continued to push for agricultural reform and increased farm cultivation. Today, China ranks first globally in the production of grain, vegetables, fruit, meat, poultry, and fish products. The international expansion of China and its matured agricultural network has played a strong role in the country’s development of food and food culture.
Inspired by the ruling ancestors of the early Chinese dynasties, various provinces and regions have started to develop their own forms of Chinese cuisine. Today, there are eight unique culinary styles recognized in China: Anhui, Cantonese, Fujian, Hunan, Jiangsu, Shandong, Szechuan, and Zhejiang cuisine, each of which has its own deeply sophisticated style of cooking techniques, ingredients, and flavors. All of these influences have shaped Chinese food culture, and as each unique cooking style develops, so has the collective whole of Chinese cuisine.
Chinese Culinary Culture
Chinese Longevity Noodles
It’s customary in Chinese culture to have longevity noodles during birthdays and celebrations. Bowls are filled to the brim with the noodles, and the strands are never cut, as it’s believed that longer noodles = a longer life. Over time, other Asian cultures have adopted this belief that a bowl of long noodles is a sign of prosperity and good fortune.
Fighting Heat With Heat
During the unbearably hot summers, there’s a Chinese cultural tradition to fight heat with heat — especially in cities like Chengdu or Hunan that are known for their love of spice. It’s very common to see street vendors serving even the spiciest dishes, like hotpot or spicy Sichuan noodles, during record-hot weeks. Why? It’s believed that the combination of intense spice and heat will help the body sweat and release impure toxins, and as the body changes temperature, a cooling effect occurs.
Getting Lucky With Red
Colors have always played a strong role in Chinese culture. One of the most notable is the color red, which symbolizes good luck, happiness, and success. At Chinese weddings, it’s customary for the engaged bride to wear a red Chinese dress, known as a qípáo (chee-pao), as a sign of a happy and successful marriage. Other grand celebrations like Chinese New Year or the Mid-Autumn Festival also adorn their decorations with red undertones, and businesses, homes, and public areas are decorated with red lanterns and ribbons as a way to spread more good fortune to society.
Find Local Chinese Shefs & Meals
When searching for “Chinese cuisine near me,” you’ll find Shef delivers Chinese food in the following locations:
- Los Angeles
- San Francisco (Bay Area)
- Chicago
- New York City
- New Jersey
- Seattle
Find your local home-cooked food today!
