Food in China

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Regional Cuisine Specialties

With an inexhaustible variety of dishes to pick from in China, here are some culinary specialties you just can't miss during your travels:

• Beijing-Peking duck
• Hong Kong-Dim sum
• Szechuan-A hot-pot meal (Chinese fondue)
• Shanghai-Shanghai river crabs

Dining Do's and Don'ts

Here are some (un)common courtesies to consider when dining in China.

• In contrast to western rules, slurping is considered an acceptable way to cool down hot soup. Also, since rice is difficult to eat with chopsticks, it's perfectly normal to lift the bowl from the table and scoop it into your mouth.
• Before refilling your teacup, extend the courtesy of refilling the cups of fellow guests at the table, even if they are not empty.
• Many Americans were told as children to clean their plates when eating. But in China, eating the last piece of food on the table is an insult-signifying that he or she did not serve enough food for the guests.
• If placed incorrectly, chopsticks can be omens of bad luck. Standing them in your bowl after dinner replicates a sign of death-incense sticks standing in a bowl of ashes.