Top 20 Chinese Dishes: Savor the Authentic Flavors
These 20 classic Chinese dishes combine sweet, sour, savory, and spicy flavors. From simple home-style stir-fries to exquisite feast dishes, the perfect harmony of ingredients and cooking techniques offers an authentic taste of China.
Sweet and Sour Fish is a classic Chinese dish, said to have been created by a chef during the Southern Song Dynasty. Made with carp and cooked in a sweet and sour sauce, it offers a delightful balance of flavors—tangy, sweet, and savory—making it a crowd favorite.
Dongpo Pork is believed to have been created by the famous Chinese poet Su Shi. This dish features succulent pork belly braised to a rich red color, tender and melt-in-your-mouth, with just the right amount of fat to add flavor without being greasy. A true representation of Chinese culinary artistry.
Chinese Braised Beef is a beloved classic, featuring tender beef chunks stewed with aromatic spices and soy sauce. The rich, glossy color and deep, savory flavor make this dish both satisfying and unforgettable.
Originating from the Qing Dynasty, Kung Pao Chicken is a Sichuan classic known for its tender chicken, crunchy peanuts, and a unique combination of spicy, sweet, and sour flavors. This dish is a global favorite for its rich taste and vibrant color.
Ma La Xiang Guo is a variation of the spicy hot pot from the Sichuan and Chongqing regions. It’s made by stir-frying a variety of ingredients with a spicy mala sauce, creating a bold, aromatic flavor. With its rich, complex taste and a wide range of ingredients, it’s a popular dish known for being quick, easy to make, and full of flavor.
Pineapple Sweet and Sour Pork hails from Guangdong, combining crispy pork with the tangy sweetness of pineapple. This dish marries the flavors of Cantonese cuisine with a Western-style sweet and sour taste, offering a delightful balance of textures and flavors.
Fish-Flavored Shredded Pork, originating from Sichuan, features thinly sliced pork cooked in a savory-sweet sauce with a complex combination of salty, sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. The tender pork and crispy black mushrooms make this dish a favorite across China.
Tomato-Braised Beef Brisket is a comforting dish where beef brisket is slow-cooked until tender, then braised with tomatoes, which lend a tangy, sweet flavor to the rich broth. This dish is hearty, flavorful, and full of nutrients.
Dong'an Chicken, a traditional dish from Dong'an, Hunan, features local free-range chicken cooked to perfection with bold, spicy, and tangy flavors. With its vibrant color and fragrant aroma, this dish showcases the unique taste of Hunan cuisine.
Ants Climbing a Tree is a classic Sichuan dish named for the appearance of minced pork clinging to thin glass noodles, resembling ants climbing tree branches. It’s savory, spicy, and offers a smooth texture combined with a satisfying flavor.
Cantonese Blanched Choy Sum is a simple, yet refreshing dish where the tender choy sum is briefly blanched and topped with soy sauce and oyster sauce. Crisp and fresh, it perfectly preserves the natural flavor of the vegetables.
Egg Dumplings are a festive favorite in China, especially during holidays. Made by wrapping seasoned meat in a thin egg crepe, they resemble dumplings and are loved for their golden color and the harmonious blend of egg and meat flavors.
Hakka Stuffed Bitter Melon is a traditional dish where bitter melon is hollowed out and stuffed with seasoned meat, then steamed to perfection. The slightly bitter melon and savory filling come together for a unique and flavorful taste.
Longjing Shrimp is a famous dish from Hangzhou, made with delicate shrimp cooked with Longjing tea, which infuses the shrimp with a light, aromatic tea fragrance. This dish offers a refreshing taste with a gentle green tea aroma.
Clam Steamed Eggs is a comforting homestyle dish where fresh clams are mixed with egg custard and steamed until silky smooth. The clam’s delicate sweetness and the egg’s creamy texture create a rich, savory, and satisfying dish.
Jade Tofu combines silky smooth tofu with vibrant green vegetables, creating a visually stunning dish. The tofu's mild flavor pairs perfectly with the fresh, crisp vegetables, making this a light and refreshing dish.
Steamed Shrimp with Vermicelli is a delicious and light dish where fresh shrimp are placed on top of soaked glass noodles and steamed together. The shrimp are tender, and the noodles soak up all the flavorful juices, creating a savory and aromatic dish.
Chinese Century Egg Salad is a simple and refreshing dish where century eggs are cut into wedges and tossed with ginger, garlic, vinegar, and chili. The century eggs have a firm, savory texture, and the spicy, tangy dressing makes it a delicious appetizer.
Fresh Mushroom Hotpot features a variety of mushrooms in a savory broth. The mushrooms absorb all the rich flavors of the broth as they cook, offering a tender and flavorful experience. It’s a healthy and fragrant dish loved by those who appreciate fresh, earthy flavors.
This dish features duck that’s been specially prepared and cooked with beer and other seasonings. The duck is tender and flavorful, with a rich aroma of beer that fills the air. The taste is savory and satisfying, leaving a lasting, delicious aftertaste. It’s a unique and flavorful dish that’s truly unforgettable.