No trip to China would be complete without getting a real
taste of the wealth of foods on offer. Chinese food is
famous all around the world, and not without reason. If
you're visiting China you'll get the opportunity to try one
of the world's most famous cuisines in its traditional way
and no one could argue with the fact that it's also the
best way.
If you're wondering what to expect from traditional Chinese
food then forget what you've experienced in your own
country. The real food of China is so much better that
foreign imitations pale in comparison. Many Western dishes
have been tailored to meet the available ingredients, or in
some cases the true essence of the recipe has been lost
over numerous years and translations. Whilst sweet and sour
is a popular dish in the West, many Chinese chefs wouldn't
even dream of cooking it. Whilst sweet and sour still
exists in China it's nothing like the sweet and sour that
we experience in Western restaurants.
China has a very long history rich with tradition. It is
this tradition and history which has given China such a
wonderfully rich and diverse cuisine. Whilst civilization
in China started at least 7000 years ago records do not
date back this far, but what archaeology has shown is that
food has always had a central role in the lives of Chinese
people. Whilst the food lacked the sophistication of
today's cooking there was already a deep consideration for
healthy eating.
The Chinese Dynasties saw a huge range of ideas develop
alongside an increasing variety of foods. Trade allowed for
many more ingredients to be used and the wealth that such
trade led to also gave chefs a chance to develop their
skills and make money doing so. The best chefs competed
with each other for royal approval, hoping to be appointed
as royal chefs. The best dishes created by the chefs
combined fine food and health benefits for which they
received rich rewards.
Those dishes which became most popular became food that the
wealthiest across China dined upon. Over time lodges in
which travelers stayed became more and more akin to
modern-day restaurants and these made the foods which were
originally the preserve of the royal and wealthy Chinese
available to all. Thanks to modern transportation regional
specialties are available all across China, giving an even
greater variety of flavors from the vast Chinese country.
Chinese food is not only famous for its flavor but also its
names. With dishes such as "Phoenix and Dragon" or "Ants
Climbing on Trees" much fun can be had in discovering the
legends behind the names over a good meal.
One difficulty many foreigners have with ordering Chinese
food is the language barrier. Chinese menus are written in
Chinese characters - a notoriously difficult language which
takes a long time to learn. If you have Chinese friends
it's worth asking them to translate, but otherwise you can
simply point at what other diners are eating and try food
in that way.
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Kentaro Konika
http://www.chineseculturefood.com
Chinese food is arguably the ethnic food of the American Jew
http://www.chineseculturefood.com/chinesefood/chinese-food
Chinese food now holds a popular place among the entire
population of the world.
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