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China Food Guide 2026

How to order, what to eat, and how to handle dietary restrictions in China. From street food to fine dining, eat safely and deliciously.

Must-Try Dishes by Region

Peking Duck

Beijing

Crispy skin, tender meat, wrapped in pancakes with hoisin sauce

Xiaolongbao

Shanghai

Soup dumplings - bite carefully, they're hot!

Hot Pot

Sichuan/Chongqing

DIY cooking in spicy broth at your table

Dim Sum

Guangdong/Hong Kong

Small plates, dumplings, buns - brunch tradition

Biangbiang Noodles

Xi'an

Wide, hand-pulled noodles with chili oil

Mapo Tofu

Sichuan

Spicy, numbing tofu with minced pork

How to Order (No Chinese Required)

  1. 1Scan QR code on table (WeChat) or ask for menu
  2. 2Browse photos (most menus have pictures)
  3. 3Point and say "Zhège" (这个) - this one
  4. 4Show number of people with fingers
  5. 5Pay via WeChat/Alipay QR code at end

Magic phrase: "Zhège" (这个 - pronounced "juh-guh") means "this one." Point and say it.

Vegetarian & Allergy Tips

🥬 Vegetarian

  • •Learn to say "Wǒ chī sù" (我吃素) - I eat vegetarian
  • •Download HappyCow app for veggie restaurant locations
  • •Buddhist temple restaurants are reliably vegetarian
  • •Common veggie dishes: stir-fried eggplant, shredded potato, fermented tofu, greens
  • •Watch out for: lard in vegetables, meat stock in soups

⚠️ Food Allergies

  • •Get allergy cards printed in Chinese - show to staff
  • •Peanuts are common in Sichuan cuisine
  • •Soy sauce contains wheat (gluten)
  • •Seafood is ubiquitous in coastal cities
  • •When in doubt, stick to simple stir-fried vegetables and rice

Regional Cuisines

Sichuan

Style: Spicy, numbing (málà), bold flavors

Famous for: Hot pot, mapo tofu, kung pao chicken

Cantonese

Style: Fresh, subtle, steaming and roasting

Famous for: Dim sum, roast duck, congee

Shandong

Style: Savory, crispy, seafood-heavy

Famous for: Sweet and sour carp, braised sea cucumber

Jiangsu

Style: Sweet, delicate, elaborate presentation

Famous for: Lion's head meatballs, Nanjing salted duck

Hunan

Style: Very spicy, sour, smoky

Famous for: Steamed fish head with chili, Chairman Mao's pork

Street Food Safety

✓ Safe Signs

  • Busy with locals
  • High turnover (fresh food)
  • Cooked to order
  • Hot food (steaming)
  • Clean cooking area

✗ Avoid

  • Raw vegetables at stalls
  • Food sitting out for hours
  • No customers
  • Flies or dirty conditions
  • Pre-cut fruit

Dining Etiquette

•No tipping - not expected in China
•Don't stick chopsticks upright in rice (funeral symbolism)
•Tap table with fingers when someone pours tea (thanks gesture)
•Host usually pays - fight to pay is polite but not required
•Slurping noodles is acceptable and shows enjoyment
•Don't finish all food - leaving some shows you were served enough

Hungry for more?

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