This document provides an introduction to Chinese food, including key aspects of a typical Chinese meal consisting of staples and dishes. It discusses popular foods, cooking methods, tools, and table settings. It also outlines the eight regional Chinese cuisines and some of their signature dishes. The document notes the cultural and social importance of food in China as seen through greetings, meals, and foods associated with holidays. It concludes by emphasizing that sharing meals is essential to building relationships in Chinese culture.

1. Introduction to Chinese Food
Joanne Chen
2015

2. 民以食为天
mín yǐ shí wéi tiān
Food is the first necessity of
the people;
The masses regard food as
their heaven
Food plays a significant part in Chinese
culture and daily life.
The importance of food is reflected in
greetings.
我吃饱了
Wǒ chī bǎo le .
你吃饱了吗？
Nǐ chī bǎo le ma?
Have you eaten yet? (How are you?)
I have eaten full. (I am fine.)

3. A Chinese Meal
Generally Consisting two components:
• Staples
• Various of grains
• Rice, Noodles, Buns, Tofu
• Dishes
• Vegetables, fish, meat
Steam Rice
Noodles
Rice Noodles
Steam Bun
Meat Bun
Green Onion
Pancakes
Vegetable
Beef noodle soup
BBQ Pork
Fish
Duck
Tofu

4. Cooking Methods
Stewing
Steaming
BoilingPan-frying
Stir-frying
Deep-
frying
炒
炖
蒸
煮
炸
煎

5. Cooking Tools

6. Table Settings

7. Utensils, plates and Bowls

8. “Thank you”
Gesture
• Chinese people like having
meals with tea.
• When someone pours tea
into your cup, you can tap
the table with your first two
fingers two or three times,
showing thanks to the
person.
Food with
Tea
一盅兩件
One pot of tea and
Two Dim sum items
飲茶
Dim sum

9. Eight distinct Han schools of Chinese cuisine
All eight
branches of
Chinese cuisine
stress the
nutrition and
the artistic
beauty of
Chinese dishes.

10. Shandong Cuisine (魯菜 lǔ cài)
 Shandong Cuisine is Cuisine is commonly and simply
known as Lu cuisine.
It is also known for its excellent seafood dishes and
delicious soup.
Sea Cucumber stew

11. Sichuan cuisine （川菜）
 Sichuan cuisine is originating in the Sichuan
Province.
Sichuan cuisine is prepared with a wide variety of
ingredients.

12. Hunan cuisine （湘菜）
 Hunan cuisine is well known for its hot spicy flavor, fresh
aroma and deep color.
 It requires skilful use of kitchen knifes, delicious taste
and beautiful shapes.

13. Guangdong Cuisine（粤菜）
 Dim sum, literally "touch your heart", is a Cantonese
term for small dishes.
 It features sour, bitter, spicy tastes with a clear and
fragrant smell.

14. Fujian cuisine (闽菜)
 Woodland delicacies such as edible
mushrooms and bamboo shoots are
utilized.
Chefs are skilled in the use of a kitchen
knife, full of interest.
 Dishes are meticulously prepared, refined
and graceful. Budda jumps over the wall

15. Jiangsu cuisine（蘇菜）
 It is very famous all over the
world for its distinctive style and
taste.
 It visualizes high cutting
techniques.
 It pays great attention to soup,
which is strong but not greasy, and
delicious.

16. Zhejiang cuisine（浙菜）
 Derives from the native cooking styles of the
Zhejiang region.
 The dishes are not greasy, having but
instead a fresh, soft flavor with a mellow
fragrance.

17. Anhui cuisine（徽菜）
 Using a wide variety of ingredients.
 Adopting unique techniques. Paying
great attention to nutritious food.

18. Medicinal Food
• Medicinal food is food with the function of dietetic
therapy.
• Taking medicine and food mas materials and
processing them through cooking.
• A combination of Chinese traditional medical
knowledge and cooking experience.

19. Food for holidays
Dumplings
Chinese New Year
Rice Cake
Seeds and Dry Fruit
Sweet Rice Ball
Zongzi for
Dragon Boat Festival
Moon Cake for
Moon Festival
Cake for wedding
Stem bun for birthday

20. MEANING OF FOODS in Chinese culture
 Fish – abundance
 Eggs- fertility
 Duck – fidelity
 Dumplings – money
(shape)
 Apple –
Peace(pronunciation
)
 Chicken –
symbolizing a good

21. Chinese Believe:
• There is no single thing more important
than having a meal.
• Having meals together with friend, family or business partners is
an occasion to unit relationships.
• Eating is a good way to maintain social harmony.
吃飯皇帝大
Chī fàn huáng dì dà