China’s culinary scene reflects its centuries-old history and regional diversity. Discover a kaleidoscope of flavours and ingredients that will inspire you to go on a TripADeal China Tour
Northern Cuisine
In Beijing, the capital’s cuisine is deeply anchored in imperial traditions. Savour the crispy skin and rich tender meat of a Peking Duck, China’s globally recognised national dish, served with thin pancakes, hoisin sauce and scallions. The city’s street food scene adds to any travel experience. Order a savoury jianbing crepe with scallions and coriander for breakfast, like a local. Eat zhajiangmian, the chewy noodles topped with pork or soybean sauce or the vegetarian Disanxian with a tasty mix of eggplant, potato and peppers for lunch. Then snack on tanghulu, the best toffee apple you’ll ever eat.
Top Tip: Street food is freshly cooked in front of you.
Eastern Tastes
Step into a local teahouse, with views of Shanghai’s iconic skyline for an authentic taste of this city’s culinary charm. Bite into a delicate Shanghai xiaolongbao dumpling to slurp a rich porky broth with each mouthful. Try pan-fried sheng jian bao for fluffy buns, highlighting this region’s taste for a sweet and savoury fusion. Indulge in Shanghai’s more traditional tastes with hong shao rou. This complex flavour bomb of belly pork braised with soy sauce, rice wine, sugar and spices, is salty, sweet, aromatic and umami all at once.
Top Tip: The longer the queue, the tastier the food.
Taste the fiery spice of a Sichuan region hotpot.
Western Borders
The bold flavours of the Sichuan Province feature the fiery heat of Sichuan peppercorns. Discover Chengdu, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy and the best place for spice lovers to dive into a bubbling hotpot, mapo tofu and spicy street food classics like dandan noodles. A little further north, Xi’an’s cuisine reflects the city’s position as the starting point of the Silk Road. Delicious hand-pulled biangbiang flat noodles are ‘garlicky’, and notch up the spice with fragrant chilli oil. Taste the ginger, star anise and Sichuan peppercorns flavouring yangrou paomo, a traditional lamb soup. Take a step away from the heat with a delicate cumin flavoured roujiamo offering a flatbread filled with slow-cooked pork, beef or lamb reminiscent of a Western-style burger.
Top Tip: Noodles are generally made by hand and fresh each day.
Southern China
Head south for the fresh, light flavours Guangzhou’s Cantonese cuisine. Open a bamboo steamer to discover dim sum staples like har gow prawn dumplings and the most delectable freshly-made char siu bao, or pork buns. Sip fragrant Chinese tea as you sample delicate steamed fish with ginger and shallots.
Top Tip: Master the art of chopsticks before you head to China.
Create your own flavourful journey with incredible value and the chance to earn or use Qantas Points with every booking. Choose your next China adventure today!
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