• Chinese Eight Regional Cuisines

    Chinese cuisine includes a variety of different flavors due to China's vast geography and diverse nationalities. Local dishes with their own distinctiveness can be roughly divided into eight regional cuisines.

    Sichuan Cuisine: Sichuan, both spicy and pungent, is one of the most famous Chinese cuisines in the world.

    Guangdong Cuisine: Guangdong cuisine is creative with an emphasis on artistic presentation. The cuisine is considered light, crisp, and fresh.

    Zhejiang Cuisine: Made up of Hanzhou, Ningbo and Shaoxing Cuisines, Zhejiang is enjoyed for its freshness, tenderness, and mellow fragrance.

    Jiangsu Cuisine: Also called Huaiyang, Jiangsu uses seafood as its main ingredient and is known for carving techniques and a light, fresh and sweet flavor.

    Anhui Cuisine: Anhui Cuisine focuses on cooking temperature, braising, and stewing. Hams are used to improve taste and sugar candy for freshness.

    Fujian Cuisine: A combination of Fuzhou, Quanzhou, and Xiamen Cuisine, Fujian is characterized by a pickled, sweet & sour taste and bright colors.

    Shandong Cuisine: A combination of Jinan and Jiaodong, Shandong is characterized by an emphasis on freshness, aroma, and crispness.

    Hunan Cuisine: Including local cuisines of Xiangjiang Region, Dongting Lake and Xiangxi coteau, Hunan is known for its use of chili, pepper and shallot, and a pungent flavor.



    Xiao Long Bao(Little Dragon Bun):

    The little dragon bun is one of people’s favorite food. Unlike the buns in northern China, these buns are very small and easy to swallow. The bun is usually steamed in containers made of bamboo. The skin of the bun is very thin and the bun is very juicy. The dish is now popularized and consumed widely throughout China as a Dim Sum.



    Chou Dou Fu (Smelly Tofu):

    When first smelled, one would naturally hold their nose, not to mention give it a try and swallow a piece. The smelly tofu is a popular local food mainly found on Shanghai streets. The tofu is fermented with many ingredients before fried. Old ladies usually serve them on their little trolley. Despite their odor, most foreigners love it after tasting it. It is dirt-cheap too!



    Da Zha Xie (Hairy Crab):

    Da Zha Xie is a special type of crab found in rivers, and is normally consumed in the winter. The crabs are tied with ropes or strings, placed in bamboo containers, steamed and served. There is little artificial ingredient added to the dish yet it tastes fantastically good. Da Zha Xie is usually consumed with vinegar. Locals are also quite fussy about when to consume male crabs and when to consume female crabs.