Different countries have different eating customs. You may have tasted Chinese food in your country, butthings are different in China. If you are planning a trip to China, this article will help you to know the basic facts about eating in China.
1.Chinese usechopsticksto pick up food, not knives and forks. SeeChopsticksto learn how to use them and to learn about chopstick taboos.
2.Wheat noodlesare the main staple diet in northern China, whilericeis the main staple in the south. Restaurants in southern China also offer noodles, but they are usually rice noodles.
3.Rice isserved separately(in shared meals): in small bowls. Meat/vegetable dishes are served on plates or in bigger bowls, placed in the middle for everyone to share. It's not one plate each, like in the West (unless eating fast food)!
4.Chinese cuisine varies across China. There aremany regional cuisineswith different flavors: spicy, sweet, sour, hearty, etc. Read more aboutChina's regional cuisines.
5.Restaurants usually provide around tablefor more than four persons. There may be a tempered glasslazy Susanin the middle of the table, which swivels round enabling you to reach each dish easily.
6.Ingredientsof Chinese food are various and sometimesshockingto foreigners (frogs, chickens' feet, pigs' ears, intestines, dog meat, etc.). Seeunusual ingredients in Chinese cooking.
7.There are usuallyno salt or pepper shakers, or bottles of tomato sauce on the table. But in compensation you may find bottles of soy sauce, vinegar, and chili paste.
8.Some Chinese restaurants can be quitenoisy and smokywhere people don't control their talking volume or smoking; though bans on smoking in public places have recently been implemented in some areas.
9.Tips are not expectedin Chinese restaurants. The service fee is included in the food prices.
10.如果你吃的中国朋友put food on your plate, it's to show closeness and friendliness, not because they don't want it, or think you can't do it yourself. Nowadays this happens more often at family meals , where the young pass on food to their elders to show respect.
Travel to China and Experience Chinese Eating
To learn more facts about Chinese eating, take one of our private China tours.You may find out moreinteresting eating habitsof the Chinese. See our recommended tours below for inspiration:
- 8-Day Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai tour— theGolden TriangleTour
- 12-Day Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Guilin, and Hong Kong Cuisine Tour—the Flavor of China