Chinese food changes dramatically from region to region, and eating your way across the country is one of the best parts of any trip. Here are ten dishes worth seeking out, organised by where you'll find them at their best.
Beijing
- Peking Duck — crisp-skinned roast duck carved tableside and wrapped in thin pancakes with scallion and hoisin sauce.
- Zhajiangmian — wheat noodles tossed in a rich fermented soybean and pork sauce, a Beijing comfort-food staple.
Sichuan & Chongqing
- Chongqing Hotpot — a fiery, numbing broth you cook your own meat, vegetables and noodles in, best enjoyed at one of Chongqing's riverside food streets.
- Mapo Tofu — silky tofu in a spicy, tongue-tingling Sichuan pepper sauce.
- Kung Pao Chicken — stir-fried chicken with peanuts, chilies and a sweet-savoury sauce, the original (much spicier) version of a global favourite.
Shanghai & the East
- Xiaolongbao — delicate soup dumplings, best eaten fresh from a bamboo steamer with a spoon ready to catch the broth.
- Hongshao Rou (red-braised pork) — a rich, glossy braised pork belly dish popular across the Yangtze Delta.
Southern China
- Cantonese Dim Sum — a whole meal of small steamed and fried plates, best enjoyed leisurely in Guangzhou or Hong Kong over tea.
- Roast Goose — a Guangzhou and Hong Kong specialty, crisp-skinned and often served over rice.
Eating Tips for First-Timers
- Ask for "not spicy" (bu la) if you're sensitive to chili — Sichuan & Chongqing dishes can be intense
- Street food stalls and food streets are usually safe and popular with locals for a reason
- A translation app helps a lot with menus outside major hotels
- Tell your guide about allergies or dietary restrictions in advance
Yunnan & Beyond
Guoqiao Mixian (crossing-the-bridge noodles) — a Yunnan specialty where you're served a bowl of scalding broth and raw ingredients to cook at the table, a fun and interactive meal that's become a highlight for many of our clients travelling through Kunming and Dali.
Food is one of the easiest ways to experience local culture, and our guides are always happy to point you toward the best local spot wherever your itinerary takes you.
