Chinese cuisine is not one cuisine - it is dozens. Each region has its own distinct flavors, ingredients, and cooking techniques. Here is your guide to the eight great culinary traditions that make eating in China one of the world's greatest food experiences.
Sichuan Cuisine (Chuan)
Known for: Bold, spicy, and numbing flavors from Sichuan peppercorns and chili. Must-try: Mapo tofu, kung pao chicken, hotpot, dan dan noodles, twice-cooked pork. Where: Chengdu is the epicenter, but Sichuan restaurants are everywhere in China.
Cantonese Cuisine (Yue)
Known for: Fresh, light, and focused on the natural taste of ingredients. Must-try: Dim sum (har gow, siu mai, char siu bao), roast goose, wonton noodle soup, steamed fish. Where: Guangzhou and Hong Kong are the dim sum capitals of the world.
Shandong Cuisine (Lu)
Known for: Seafood-heavy, salty and crispy, refined techniques. Must-try: Sweet and sour carp, braised sea cucumber, Dezhou braised chicken. Where: Qingdao and Jinan in China's northeast.
Hunan Cuisine (Xiang)
Known for: Pure spicy heat (no numbing peppercorns like Sichuan). Smoky, pickled, and cured flavors. Must-try: Chairman Mao's red-braised pork, steamed fish head with chili, smoked meats. Where: Changsha, which has a legendary street food scene.
Jiangsu Cuisine (Su)
Known for: Sweet, delicate, and artfully presented. Must-try: Sweet and sour Mandarin fish, lion's head meatballs, Yangzhou fried rice, salted duck. Where: Nanjing, Suzhou, and Yangzhou.
Zhejiang Cuisine (Zhe)
Known for: Fresh, tender, and mellow. Uses bamboo shoots and freshwater fish. Must-try: Dongpo pork (Hangzhou's signature dish), West Lake fish in vinegar, beggar's chicken. Where: Hangzhou is the culinary capital.
Fujian Cuisine (Min)
Known for: Umami-rich soups and stews, seafood, and light seasoning. Must-try: Buddha Jumps Over the Wall (a legendary multi-ingredient soup), oyster omelette, fish ball soup. Where: Fuzhou and Xiamen.
Anhui Cuisine (Hui)
Known for: Wild herbs, mountain ingredients, and braising techniques. Must-try: Stinky mandarin fish, bamboo shoot stew, hairy tofu. Where: Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) region.
Pro Tips for Eating in China
- Eat where the locals eat - crowded restaurants with high turnover usually mean fresh, delicious food
- Try street food - China's street food is generally safe and incredibly delicious
- Use WeChat Pay or Alipay - many street vendors are cashless now
- Ask your guide for their personal recommendations - the best meals are often off the tourist path
- Be adventurous - some of the best dishes look unfamiliar but taste incredible
Taste China with China Royale
All our China tours include authentic local food experiences. Ask about our food-focused add-ons including cooking classes, food market tours, and hotpot experiences.
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