Chinese street food is an integral part of the country’s rich culinary heritage, offering a wide array of mouthwatering dishes that tantalize the taste buds. In China, street food can be divided into nine main categories: noodles, rice noodles, pancakes, rice dishes, meat dishes, desserts, dumplings, soups and porridges, and tofu dishes. Each category boasts its own unique characteristics and flavors, making it impossible to resist.

Noodle Dishes

Noodle dishes have a long history in Chinese cuisine, including various types of noodles, wonton, and bao (steamed buns). Noodles come in different flavors such as hand-pulled noodles, knife-cut noodles, and zhajiang noodles. Wonton varieties include fresh meat wonton and sauerkraut wonton, while bao fillings range from meat to vegetables.

Rice Noodle Dishes

Rice noodle dishes, represented by rice noodles, cold noodles, and rice sheets, are soft, chewy, and delicious. Rice noodles have many variations, such as Guangdong rice rolls and Yunnan rice noodles. Cold noodles also come in different flavors, like Sichuan cold noodles and Shaanxi cold skin noodles.

Pancake Dishes

Pancake dishes include jianbing (Chinese crepes), you bing (oil pancakes), and tang bing (sugar pancakes). Jianbing has many flavors, such as Beijing jianbing guozi and Shandong jianbing. You bing also comes in various tastes, like red bean paste you bing and scallion oil pancakes.

Rice Dishes

Rice dishes include fried rice, rice with toppings, and glutinous rice. Fried rice has many variations, such as Yangzhou fried rice and Guangdong fried rice. Rice with toppings also offers a variety of choices, like egg-topped rice and beef-topped rice.

Meat Dishes

Meat dishes are represented by barbecue, fried skewers, and braised dishes. Barbecue options include lamb skewers and chicken wings, while fried skewers feature chicken feet and chicken wings. Braised dishes offer various choices, such as duck necks and duck tongues.

Desserts

Desserts include tangyuan (glutinous rice balls), candied hawthorns, and douhua (tofu pudding). Tangyuan comes in different flavors, such as sesame tangyuan and red bean paste tangyuan. Candied hawthorns also have many varieties, like strawberry candied hawthorns and grape candied hawthorns.

Dumplings

Dumplings, represented by bao (steamed buns), jiaozi (dumplings), and xianbing (meat pies), are popular street foods. Bao fillings include meat and vegetables, while jiaozi varieties feature fresh meat dumplings and shrimp dumplings. Xianbing also offers various tastes, such as red bean paste meat pies and meat-filled pies.

Soups and Porridges

Soups and porridges include congee, soups, and other varieties. Congee options include century egg and lean pork congee, fish fillet congee, and pumpkin congee. Soup varieties feature seaweed and pork rib soup, tomato and egg soup, and crucian carp and tofu soup.

Tofu Dishes

Tofu dishes, represented by douhua (tofu pudding), dou hua (flowery tofu), and dried tofu, are popular street foods. Douhua comes in different flavors, such as Nanjing douhua and Guangdong douhua. Dou hua varieties include douhua nao (tofu pudding with toppings) and douhua dong (tofu pudding jelly). Dried tofu also offers various tastes, like five-spice dried tofu and spicy dried tofu.

These nine categories of street food represent the rich and diverse culinary culture of China. Each dish has its unique preparation techniques and flavors, allowing people to experience the charm of traditional Chinese culture while enjoying delicious food.

Whether from street vendors or high-end restaurants, these street foods are sure to leave you craving more, making them true gems of Chinese culinary culture.

References:
The Top 10 Hunan Delicacies: A Taste of China’s Culinary Heartland
Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Guangxi: Harmonious Symphony between Nature and Culture
Five must visit tourist attractions in Hangzhou: low-key content, have you experienced it?