12 Traditional Chinese Food Dishes You Should Taste

Have you ever tasted traditional Chinese food? If not, you're missing out on one of the most flavorful and diverse cuisines in the world. Chinese food is renowned for its unique tastes, textures, and ingredients that make for a truly satisfying meal. Here are 20 traditional Chinese food dishes that you absolutely must try:

Peking Duck

Peking Duck is a famous dish that originated in Beijing, China. It's made by roasting a whole duck until it's crispy and golden brown on the outside, but juicy and tender on the inside. The skin is sliced thinly and served with pancakes, green onions, and sweet bean sauce. It's a mouthwatering experience you won't soon forget.

Jiaozi

Jiaozi is a popular Chinese dumpling that's often served during the Lunar New Year. They're made by filling thinly rolled dough with a variety of ingredients, such as pork, shrimp, vegetables, and spices. The dumplings are then boiled, steamed, or pan-fried until they're cooked through and tender. They're typically served with soy sauce or chili oil for dipping.

Kung Pao Chicken

Kung Pao Chicken is a spicy stir-fry dish that's packed with flavor. It's made by stir-frying diced chicken with peanuts, vegetables, and a spicy sauce made from chili peppers, soy sauce, and vinegar. The dish is mildly sweet and sour, with a balanced heat that's not too overpowering. It's a great choice for anyone who loves spicy food.

Dim Sum

Dim Sum is a Chinese meal that's made up of small, bite-sized dishes that are served in bamboo steamers or on small plates. The dishes can vary from savory to sweet, and can include everything from dumplings and buns to rice dishes and desserts. Dim Sum is usually served for breakfast or lunch, and is a great way to experience a wide range of Chinese flavors in one meal.

Hot Pot

Hot Pot is a communal meal that's popular in China. It's made by simmering a variety of ingredients, such as thinly sliced meats, seafood, vegetables, and noodles, in a flavorful broth that's served in a pot at the center of the table. Each person gets to cook their own ingredients in the broth and then dip them in a sauce of their choice. It's a fun and interactive way to enjoy a meal with friends and family.

Zongzi

Zongzi is a Chinese rice dish that's wrapped in bamboo leaves and then steamed or boiled. The dish is made by filling the leaves with glutinous rice and a variety of fillings, such as pork, chicken, mushrooms, and beans. The dish is then served hot, and is perfect for a filling and satisfying meal.

Xiaolongbao

Xiaolongbao is a type of Chinese steamed bun that's filled with meat or seafood and soup. The soup is typically made by placing a small cube of aspic in the center of the filling, which turns to liquid when the bun is steamed. The result is a juicy and flavorful bun that's perfect for a quick and satisfying snack or meal.

Ma Po Tofu

Ma Po Tofu is a spicy and numbing dish that's popular in Sichuan cuisine. It's made by stir-frying tofu, minced meat, and spices in a flavorful sauce made from soybean paste, chili bean paste, and Sichuan peppercorns. The dish is known for its numbing and tingling sensation, which is caused by the Sichuan peppercorns.

Chow Mein

Chow Mein is a Chinese stir-fried noodle dish that's popular around the world. The dish is made by stir-frying noodles with vegetables and a protein, such as chicken, beef, or shrimp. The sauce typically includes soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil for a savory and umami flavor. Chow Mein is a quick and easy meal that's perfect for busy weeknights.

Mapo Eggplant

Mapo Eggplant is a delicious and spicy dish that features eggplant cooked in a Sichuan-style sauce made with fermented black beans, chili paste, and Sichuan peppercorns. The dish is packed with flavor and has a spicy and numbing kick that's characteristic of Sichuan cuisine. It's a great choice for anyone who loves bold and spicy flavors.

Sweet and Sour Pork

Sweet and Sour Pork is a classic Chinese dish that's loved by many around the world. The dish is made by deep-frying pork and then stir-frying it with a sweet and sour sauce made from ketchup, vinegar, sugar, and soy sauce. The result is a tangy and sweet dish that's perfect for anyone who loves a good balance of flavors.

Congee

Congee is a hearty and comforting Chinese rice porridge that's cooked with a variety of ingredients, such as meat, seafood, and vegetables. The porridge is made by simmering rice in water until it becomes thick and creamy. It's a popular breakfast food in China, and is also enjoyed as a late-night snack or comfort food.

Hainanese Chicken Rice

Hainanese Chicken Rice is a national dish in Singapore that's also popular in China. The dish is made by poaching chicken until it's juicy and flavorful, and then serving it with fragrant rice that's cooked in chicken broth. The dish is typically served with a spicy chili sauce and a ginger and scallion sauce for dipping. It's a satisfying and delicious meal that's perfect for anyone who loves chicken.

Lion's Head Meatballs

Lion's Head Meatballs are a hearty and flavorful dish that's popular in Shanghai. The dish is made by forming large meatballs from ground pork and then simmering them in a flavorful broth until they're tender and juicy. The dish is typically served with steamed bok choy and rice for a satisfying and filling meal.

Spring Rolls

Spring Rolls are a classic Chinese appetizer that's loved by many. The rolls are made by filling thin wrappers with a variety of ingredients, such as pork, shrimp, vegetables, and noodles. The rolls are then deep-fried until they're crispy and golden brown on the outside, and served with a sweet and sour dipping sauce. They're a great choice for anyone who loves crispy and savory appetizers.

Shumai

Shumai is a type of Chinese dumpling that's usually filled with pork and shrimp. The dumplings are small and bite-sized, and are typically steamed until they're cooked through and tender. They're a popular appetizer in China and are often served with soy sauce or chili oil for dipping.

Char Siu

Char Siu is a popular Chinese barbecue dish that's made by roasting pork with a flavorful marinade. The marinade is made from soy sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, garlic, and five spice powder. The resulting pork is juicy, tender, and packed with flavor. It's a great choice for anyone who loves barbecued meats.

Stinky Tofu

Stinky Tofu is a Chinese snack that's not for the faint of heart. The tofu is fermented for several days until it's pungent and has a strong smell. It's then deep-fried until it's crispy on the outside, but still tender on the inside. The dish is usually served with a spicy dipping sauce and is loved by many in China.

Sesame Balls

Sesame Balls are a sweet and satisfying Chinese dessert that's often served during special occasions, such as the Lunar New Year. The balls are made from glutinous rice flour and filled with sweetened bean paste or lotus seed paste. The balls are then deep-fried until they're crispy and golden brown and coated with sesame seeds. They're a great dessert for anyone who loves sweet and savory flavors.

If you're looking for new and exciting flavors to try, these 20 traditional Chinese food dishes are a great place to start. From spicy stir-fries to hearty rice dishes and savory dumplings, Chinese cuisine has something for everyone. So why not give these dishes a try and experience the diverse and flavorful world of Chinese food?