In China, they are convinced: food should bring aesthetic pleasure
One of the basic rules of Chinese cuisine is that food should delight not only the stomach but also the eye, and also exude aroma. That is why the culture of serving is given special attention here.
The second feature of local cuisine is the number of flavors. While in Europe they often speak only of bitter, spicy, salty, sweet, and sour tastes, Chinese chefs clearly distinguish also aromatic taste, bland and special, as well as the golden taste, which is unusual for recognition among our compatriots. Therefore, when going on gastronomic trips to the East, be sure to ask in a restaurant for something with a golden taste to expand your gastronomic map.
Thirdly, thanks to the vast territories of China, each part can boast its own peculiarities in the preparation of dishes and even unique dishes. For example, for spiciness, you should go to Sichuan, where you should try duck baked in green tea leaves, special Chinese dumplings, and chicken with peanuts. And for the famous sweet and sour sauce, head to the Guangdong region. Your acquaintance with Chinese cuisine will greatly depend on which region of the country your tour was arranged for.
A tourist visiting China for the first time has probably tried the most famous local dish – Peking duck. However, it should only be tried in well-known restaurants, because the proper preparation of this dish requires a lot of time (experts say at least 24 hours) and maintaining a special temperature. Ducks for this dish are raised on special farms, where they are given a special diet that makes their meat juicy and tender. According to tradition, each duck is cut into 120 pieces, and an experienced chef must ensure that each portion contains meat, fat, and crispy skin.
Fish lovers should go to Canton, where this product is placed at the head of the table. In addition, local cuisine is famous for exotic dishes – from cat, snake, dog meat, as well as insect dishes. Only rare restaurants can afford to serve such exquisite dishes. However, it is very easy to become a participant in a tea ceremony in this region, as there are many tea houses here.
Well, in Shanghai, cuisine is common that is best tasted with rice vodka. Here you can try dishes from eels, octopuses, and hairy crabs unknown in European cuisine.
However, all culinary regions of China are united by one thing: almost no dish can be imagined without rice as an accompaniment to it.