The Chinese culture has contributed many wonderful things to the rest of the world. Without a doubt, the most noticeable would be their food. Many people in the western world have come to love Chinese cooking, and a big reason for this is their unique use of various sauces in the preparation of many of [...]

The humble dumpling. In Western-style cuisine it is a simple staple, a source of carbohydrates and great comfort food. Done Chinese style, it is a work of culinary art. Jiao Zi (or Gow Gee, in the Mandarin dialect) is a concoction made of dough stuffed with meat and/or vegetables. It is often served as part [...]

Canton style cuisine is varied and cosmopolitan. Characterized by gentle spices, fresh ingredients and slow, careful preparation it may not seem to be the best choice for a restaurant. Yet, Cantonese retains its status as a favorite of millions. Originating from the Guangdong province in China, this style of cooking provides a menu that contains [...]

As anyone who has been to a Chinese restaurant knows, chopsticks are the traditional implements for eating Chinese dishes. But far from being difficult and inefficient, they’re actually very versatile. They require a moderate amount of technique and practice, but in short order anyone can learn to use them well.
Chopsticks have been in use for [...]

Tea has been cultivated in China for many centuries. In Britain during the 17th and 18th centuries tea was largely limited to royal houses. But the liquid made from the camellia sinensis bush has always been consumed by everyone in China. Whether as a quick pick me up or as part of an elaborate ritual, [...]

Peking Duck is by far the most well-known recipe hailing from the royal courts of China. For hundreds of years prior to the 20th century the finest chefs in the land would train for years to prepare this delicacy. They knew their lives depended on doing it right. While the stakes may be lower today, [...]

Many Westerners think of dim sum as a small dumpling with meat in sweet sauce inside. Indeed, that is one popular type. But dim sum is not a particular recipe, but a way of serving that entails dozens of choices. Carts roll by the table that hold a dazzling array of taste treats.
Even in the [...]

Noodles are, to indulge an obvious pun, a staple of Chinese dishes. Whether Cantonese or Mandarin, Hunan or Szechuan, some type of noodle is almost always found in breakfast, lunch or dinner recipes. Rice grains are more commonly associated with Chinese dishes. But, in fact, noodles are nearly always present in some form. They have [...]

Among some, Chinese food is regarded as a magical key to health. They point to the lower incidence of heart disease and certain cancers among the Chinese. Others contend that the average Chinese meal is a nutritional disaster, citing high levels of sodium, fat and calories. Not surprisingly, both these extreme views overlook a number [...]

Chinese dining traditions go back thousands of years. The elaborate customs are an interesting mixture of practicality, superstition and social inertia. Westerners aren’t expected to know the details but, as with learning a bit of the local language, it always helps. Following them will make for an enjoyable new experience and bring pleasure to a [...]

In many cultures, eating is a means of providing sustenance for the body. That is true in Chinese cuisine as well, of course. But for the Chinese, dining is a much larger part of life. It is an art used as part of a celebration, even when attached to no special event.
Westerners today often spend [...]

Chinese food recipes, naturally, start with a set of ingredients found in Cantonese, Szechuan and other provincial styles. But the methods often migrate across borders. And, in a country as large and varied as China, that can be a long way.
Stir Frying
Stir frying is one of the most popular techniques. A little sesame oil, a [...]

Mandarin style cuisine is a delight to the eye as well as the palette. In Mandarin style cooking, presentation is key. Whether making a delicious Peking Duck or simply a bit of Mu Shu Pork, it has to be done with style.
But in this area of Chinese cuisine style and flavor are intricately linked. Originating [...]

The Hunan province in China is home to over 64 million people. Located near the center of this vast country, it has received cooking influences from far and wide. The agricultural areas produce rich harvests, lending additional variety. And, housing one of the largest freshwater lakes in China has also influenced the cuisine.
All these ingredients [...]

If there is a single cooking tool that stands above all others in Chinese cuisine it would have to be the wok. Simple in design, yet mighty in utility, this rounded metal bowl has performed yeoman work in the service of Chinese cooking for centuries. Yet it remains among the most useful tools for modern [...]

Surrounded by mountains, including the famed Himalayas to the north, Szechuan province has given the world a unique cuisine. In English, the province is also often spelled Sichuan. The more common spelling is influenced by the Cantonese dialect. Whether it’s Kung Pao chicken, Ma Po Tofu or Bang Bang Chicken, Szechuan cooking is renowned for [...]

Shanghai is one of the most prosperous, active and cosmopolitan cities in the world. At any given time there are over a thousand major construction projects taking place in this city of over 20 million. It should come as no surprise, therefore, that the cuisine of this region should be equally cosmopolitan.
Filled with diverse sauces, [...]