Food news
HeritageThe National Museum of the Philippines Iloilo capped off its 2026 ‘Magbasá Kita: A Reading Program for Young Learners’ with an immersive storytelling session at the museum’s Book Nook on September 23, 2026. The activity introduced the localHeritage21st Sunchang Jangryu Festival to Welcome the World With K-Food and Cultural ExperiencesHeritage21st Sunchang Jangryu Festival to Welcome the World With K-Food and Cultural ExperiencesStreet foodMan dead, 3 in custody after shooting outside Piada Italian Street Food in Mayfield HeightsStreet foodBrick-and-Mortar Restaurants Need to Stop Blaming Street VendorsFarm and marketYour guide to Harvest Fair 2026 at Wisconsin State Fair ParkFarm and marketOct. 3 Harvest of Harmony Parade available to view in livestream broadcast during paradeFarm and marketSouthington Apple Harvest Festival kicks off tonightWorldBon Appétit editor-in-chief explores food’s role in culture, media at MSUFarm and marketDetroit Harvest Fest adds movies, more food trucks in year 6HeritageThe National Museum of the Philippines Iloilo capped off its 2026 ‘Magbasá Kita: A Reading Program for Young Learners’ with an immersive storytelling session at the museum’s Book Nook on September 23, 2026. The activity introduced the localHeritage21st Sunchang Jangryu Festival to Welcome the World With K-Food and Cultural ExperiencesHeritage21st Sunchang Jangryu Festival to Welcome the World With K-Food and Cultural ExperiencesStreet foodMan dead, 3 in custody after shooting outside Piada Italian Street Food in Mayfield HeightsStreet foodBrick-and-Mortar Restaurants Need to Stop Blaming Street VendorsFarm and marketYour guide to Harvest Fair 2026 at Wisconsin State Fair ParkFarm and marketOct. 3 Harvest of Harmony Parade available to view in livestream broadcast during paradeFarm and marketSouthington Apple Harvest Festival kicks off tonightWorldBon Appétit editor-in-chief explores food’s role in culture, media at MSUFarm and marketDetroit Harvest Fest adds movies, more food trucks in year 6
Thali

🇨🇳 The food of China

122 dishes from China, best known first, across 60 cities and regions.

Chinese cooking is shaped by a vast range of climates, local crops, and centuries of migration and trade. Its many regional styles use staples like rice and wheat, and balance flavors and textures with a focus on color, aroma, and nutrition. The cuisine’s diversity and techniques have influenced food cultures across Asia and the world.

  • Chopsticks and the wok are key utensils in Chinese cooking.
  • The first restaurants in the modern sense appeared in Song dynasty China.
  • Soy sauce is used in cooking, not added at the table.
  • Chinese food therapy links meals to health and balance.
  • Rice dominates in the south, wheat in the north.

The cooking of China

Chinese cuisine covers a huge variety of dishes and traditions, shaped by geography, history, and local customs. The food changes from north to south and east to west, reflecting what grows best in each region. Cooking methods range from stir-frying in a wok to steaming, braising, and baking. Flavors are balanced for taste, color, and aroma, often drawing on principles from traditional Chinese medicine. Meals are built around shared dishes, and attention is paid to the harmony of ingredients and presentation. Over time, outside influences—through trade, migration, and conquest—have added new foods and techniques, making Chinese cuisine one of the world’s most varied.

Staple foods in China

Rice is the main staple in the south, often served steamed or as congee, a rice porridge eaten for breakfast. In the north, wheat is more common, used for noodles, breads, and dumplings. Millet and other grains are also traditional. Meat is usually used in small amounts, with vegetables and grains making up most of the meal. Soy sauce, tofu, and chili oil are common seasonings and ingredients.

From region to region in China

Regional cooking in China is highly diverse. Cantonese food from the south is known for fresh ingredients and mild flavors. Sichuan cuisine from the west uses chili and spices for heat and numbing sensations. Shandong cooking in the north features wheat-based foods and seafood, while Jiangsu (including Huaiyang) in the east is famous for refined techniques like braising and stewing. Fujian, Hunan, Anhui, and Zhejiang each have their own specialties, from seafood and soups to wild herbs and pickled foods. Preservation methods like drying, salting, and fermenting are common across regions.

Where this page comes from

The facts in this overview come from the Wikipedia article "Chinese cuisine", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence. Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

Cities and regions of China

Guangdong 9Beijing 7Fujian 7Guangzhou 4Hangzhou 4Shanghai 4Sichuan 4Guizhou 3Tianjin 3Anxi County 2Chengdu 2Chongqing 2Fuzhou 2Guangxi 2Jiangnan 2Nanjing 2Shaanxi 2Shandong 2Suzhou 2Wuyi Mountains 2Xi'an 2Xinjiang 2Yangzhou 2Yunnan 2Zhejiang 2Bozhou 1Chang'an 1Changsha 1Changzhou 1Chaoshan 1Chaozhou 1Chuzhou 1Gansu 1Geleshan 1Hainan 1Hebei 1Henan 1Hohhot 1Jiangsu 1Jilin 1Jinan 1Lanzhou 1Linhai 1Longjing 1Luzhou 1Manchuria 1Meijiawu 1Minnan region 1Nanxiang 1Ningbo 1Pu'er 1Qiandao Lake 1Quanzhou 1Shanxi 1Shaoxing 1Shi Feng 1Tongxiang 1West Lake 1Wuhan 1Wuxi 1
MealBreakfastLunchTea timeDinnerSupperSnacks
KindMain dishStreet foodSoupStew or curryRice dishNoodle or pasta dishDumplingBreadGrill or roastSandwich or wrapPie or savoury pastrySalad or sideCheese or dairy foodSausage or cured foodSauce, pickle or fermentSweet or dessertDrink
DietVegetarianVeganFish and seafoodMeat
Tangyuan汤圆 / 湯圓 🇨🇳 China and 5 moreGlutinous rice balls, often filled, served in sweet or savory broth Sweet or dessert, Snacks BaijiuVegan白酒 🇨🇳 China and 1 moreClear Chinese spirit distilled from grain, with a range of aroma styles Drink LaghmanMeatلەغمەن 🇨🇳 China and 5 moreHand-pulled noodles with meat and vegetables in a savoury broth Noodle or pasta dish, Lunch, Dinner Mapo tofu麻婆豆腐 🇨🇳 China and 1 moreSichuan tofu in a spicy, numbing sauce with fermented beans and minced meat Main dish, Lunch, Dinner JjajangmyeonMeat짜장면; 자장면 🇰🇷 South Korea and 1 moreKorean Chinese noodles topped with a thick black bean sauce and diced pork Noodle or pasta dish, Lunch, Dinner Egg tartVegetarian蛋撻 🇨🇳 China and 5 moreA small pastry tart with a sweet egg custard filling, found in Cantonese cuisine Pie or savoury pastry, Snacks, Tea time EdamameVegan枝豆 🇯🇵 Japan and 3 moreYoung green soybeans boiled or steamed in their pods, often served salted Main dish, Snacks, Lunch MantouVegan馒头 🇨🇳 ChinaSoft, steamed wheat buns eaten across northern China Bread, Breakfast, Lunch Biangbiang noodlesVegan𰻞𰻞麵 🇨🇳 ChinaWide, hand-pulled noodles from Shaanxi, known for their belt-like shape Noodle or pasta dish Jian duiVegetarian 🇨🇳 China and 5 moreFried glutinous rice balls coated with sesame seeds and filled with sweet paste Sweet or dessert, Snacks, Tea time YoutiaoVegan油條 🇨🇳 China and 5 moreLong, golden-brown strips of deep-fried dough eaten across East and Southeast Asia Street food, Breakfast, Snacks Stinky tofuVegetarian臭豆腐 🇨🇳 China and 3 moreFermented tofu with a strong aroma, sold as a snack in China and Taiwan Street food, Snacks Xiaolongbao小笼包 🇨🇳 China and 1 moreSmall steamed buns with a savoury filling and hot soup inside Dumpling, Breakfast, Snacks SōmenVegetarian素麺 🇯🇵 Japan and 2 moreVery thin wheat noodles served cold or in soup across East Asia Noodle or pasta dish, Lunch, Dinner Larbລາບ 🇱🇦 Laos and 3 moreFinely chopped meat salad with herbs, a national dish of Laos Salad or side, Lunch, Dinner Tofu skinVeganゆば 🇨🇳 China and 2 moreThin sheets formed from the surface of heated soy milk Main dish BuuzMeatБууз 🇲🇳 Mongolia and 2 moreMongolian steamed dumplings filled with seasoned meat Dumpling, Lunch, Dinner Roast gooseMeat 🇨🇳 China and 4 moreWhole goose roasted until the skin is crisp and the meat tender Main dish, Dinner Longjing teaVegan龍井茶 🇨🇳 ChinaHand-shaped green tea from Hangzhou with a sweet, fresh taste Drink Caldo verde 🇵🇹 Portugal and 2 morePortuguese soup of potatoes and shredded greens Soup, Dinner, Supper Egg drop soup蛋花湯 🇨🇳 China and 1 moreChinese soup with wisps of egg in clear chicken broth Soup, Lunch, Dinner Char siuMeat叉燒 🇨🇳 China and 5 moreCantonese-style pork, marinated and roasted until glazed and red Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Chicken feetMeat 🇨🇳 China and 5 moreChicken feet cooked and eaten in soups, stews, snacks and street foods worldwide Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Huangjiu黄酒 🇨🇳 China and 1 moreChinese rice wine brewed from grains and aged for depth of flavor Drink Bak kut tehMeat肉骨茶 🇲🇾 Malaysia and 3 morePork ribs in a spiced herbal broth, served with fried dough and condiments Soup, Breakfast, Lunch Thukpaཐུག་པ 🇨🇳 China and 3 moreTibetan noodle soup with many regional versions Soup Lamian拉麵 🇨🇳 China and 3 moreHand-pulled wheat noodles stretched into long strands Noodle or pasta dish, Lunch, Dinner Shumai烧卖 / 燒賣 🇨🇳 China and 5 moreChinese dumplings filled with seasoned meat, often served as dim sum Dumpling, Breakfast, Lunch Dongpo porkMeat东坡肉 🇨🇳 ChinaBraised pork belly cooked with soy sauce, rice wine and sugar Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Misua麵線 🇨🇳 China and 5 moreVery thin wheat noodles common in China, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia Noodle or pasta dish, Lunch, Dinner TanghuluVegan糖葫芦 🇨🇳 China and 1 moreSkewered fruit coated in a crisp sugar shell, a classic Northern Chinese street snack Sweet or dessert, Snacks Hot and sour soup酸辣汤 🇨🇳 China and 5 moreA tangy, spicy soup with flexible ingredients, first made in China Soup Cha siu baoMeat叉燒包 🇨🇳 China and 2 moreCantonese steamed or baked buns filled with barbecue-flavored pork Street food, Lunch, Snacks Parotta 🇮🇳 India and 5 moreLayered flatbread from South India, soft and flakey, made with refined flour Bread, Breakfast, Lunch Roujiamo肉夹馍 🇨🇳 ChinaFlatbread filled with stewed meat, a street food from Shaanxi, China Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Oyster omelette 🇨🇳 China and 5 moreA chewy egg and oyster dish fried with starch, popular across East and Southeast Asia Main dish, Breakfast, Lunch Buddha's delightVegan羅漢齋 🇨🇳 China and 2 moreA Chinese vegetarian medley of vegetables, fungi and tofu simmered in soy sauce Main dish, Lunch, Dinner HotteokVegetarian호떡 🇰🇷 South Korea and 2 moreKorean street pancake with a sweet, nutty filling Street food, Snacks DouhuaVegan豆花 🇨🇳 China and 5 moreSoft tofu served as a sweet or savoury snack across East and Southeast Asia Sweet or dessert, Breakfast, Snacks Da Hong PaoVegan大紅袍 🇨🇳 ChinaRare oolong tea from the Wuyi Mountains with a floral aroma and sweet finish Drink Chrysanthemum teaVegan菊花茶 🇨🇳 China and 1 moreA floral infusion made from dried chrysanthemum flowers Drink TieguanyinVegan鐵觀音 🇨🇳 China and 1 moreA Chinese oolong tea named for the Goddess of Mercy, with floral or roasted notes Drink Salted duck egg 🇨🇳 China and 3 moreDuck eggs preserved in salt, prized for their rich, orange-red yolks Sauce, pickle or ferment, Breakfast, Lunch Tea eggVegetarian茶叶蛋 🇨🇳 China and 3 moreEggs simmered in spiced tea, marbled with dark lines under the shell Street food, Snacks Apam balikVegetarian 🇨🇳 China and 4 moreA folded sweet pancake filled with peanuts and sugar, sold at roadside stalls Sweet or dessert, Snacks, Tea time Korean fried chickenMeat치킨 🇰🇷 South Korea and 5 moreCrispy fried chicken from South Korea, often served with sauces and pickled radish Main dish, Lunch, Dinner SachimaVegetarianᠰᠠᠴᡳᠮᠠ 🇨🇳 China and 4 moreSweet, airy strips of deep-fried dough held together with sugar syrup Pie or savoury pastry, Snacks Wonton noodlesMeat雲吞麵 🇨🇳 China and 5 moreEgg noodles in broth with wonton dumplings, from Cantonese cooking Noodle or pasta dish, Lunch, Dinner
PreviousMore dishes

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

The weekly plate

Every Monday: seven dishes you may not know, what the world is cooking this week, and one way of eating.