In Germany, you can find quite a few Chinese restaurants. Many like Wang Chao serve authentic Chinese cuisine but some are less than reputable. You probably know that General Tso’s chicken isn’t really authentic Chinese. But did you know that Chinese food is divided into 8 regional cuisines?
Usually, Chinese food is served “family-style,” which means a group orders several dishes together, and then everyone on the table eats everything that is served. If it’s a large group, food is served on a turntable. Food is eaten with chopsticks but if there’s soup, then a soup spoon will be provided.
The Different Chinese Cuisine
“Chinese cuisine” is divided into 8 different regional cuisine, and these are:
1. Sichuan Cuisine
Sichuan Cuisine is known for spicy dishes and it is especially fond of using a kind of pepper called Sichuan peppercorn. If your spice tolerance is pretty low you may want to go with other cuisines. A dish known as Chongqing Spicy Chicken consists of more peppers than chicken so expect it to be very spicy!
Sichuan Cuisine popular dishes are:
Chongqing Spicy Chicken
Mapo Tofu
Kung Pao Chicken
Dandan Noodles
2. Cantonese Cuisine
This cuisine is very similar to the westernized Chinese dishes you can find in Germany and other Western countries. It focuses on bringing out the original flavor of the food and use spices sparingly.
Cantonese Cuisine popular dishes are:
Dim Sum
Steamed egg
Shark fin soup
You Tiao
3. Jiangsu Cuisine
Jiangsu cuisine are often gourmet style dishes and it is known for light and fresh taste, and seafood ingredients as well.
Jiangsu Cuisine popular dishes are:
Xiao Long Bao (Soup Dumplings)
Jinling salted dried duck
Yangzhou fried rice
Braised pork belly
4. Zhejiang Cuisine
Also known for its seafood, Zhejiang cuisine dishes are usually served raw. There is greater emphasis on freshness and seasonal food. It is also known for its delectable desserts and brined meats.
Zhejiang Cuisine popular dishes include:
Tang Yuan
Dongpo Pork
5. Fujian Cuisine
The dishes are lighter with a hint of sweet and sour. Fujian Province has long been known for seafood and soups with wild exotic delicacies from the mountains and seas. Their dishes have unusual flavors.
Fujian Cuisine popular dishes include:
Crispy skin fish rolls
Dried scallop with radish
Eastern wall dragon pearls
6. Hunan Cuisine
Residents of the Hunan region are fond of chilies that every dish always have them. Quite spicy, with a hint of sourness, the dishes are cooked using stir-frying, sauteing, smoking and steaming. Hunan food is also tastier and hotter than Sichuan dishes.
Anhui cuisine is like Fuijian but wilder. Its big mountains and inlands are excellent source of wild meats and herbs. Basically, the dishes are hearty peasant food.
Anhui Cuisine popular dishes include:
Stinky Mandarin fish
Fried hairy tofu
Steamed partridge
8. Shandong Cuisine
Shandong was among the first areas that had civilization in ancient China, and it set the way for northern cooking styles. It specializes in seafood and use simple ingredients. Food preparation include braising plus they like to use salt and vinegar.
