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In Cuisine November 30, 2020

Is Chinese Food Healthy? This Is What You Have To Know

How healthy is Chinese food?

Like several other cultures and traditions, food is one of the major aspects of Chinese culture and heritage. However, is Chinese food healthy? Well, several Chinese dishes are full of fat and sodium. The sauces that you use to make Chinese dishes are considered not-so-healthy most of the time. However, there is always a way to make the healthier version of a dish that you are craving.

If you have ever been a part of Chinese holidays, such as Chinese New Year, it is evident how they enjoy their food. Moreover, none of the Chinese festivals and events are complete without their traditional dumplings, egg rolls, fried meat, and more. So, the main concern here- is Chinese food healthy?

If you are considering the Chinese that you get in the US’s restaurants, then that is usually unauthentic. So, do not freak out when you see majorly fried meat and food soaked in sauces and oil.

In fact, if you dig deeper into the details of traditional Chinese staple food, it is more of steamed vegetables and different types of tea. For example, green tea, black tea, jasmine tea, chamomile tea, and hibiscus tea are Chinese daily beverage delicacies. Moreover, Chinese culture and the region’s tea history are so fascinating and addictive that you will surely fall in love with the place and its food!

In fact, traditional or staple Chinese food is naturally healthy, mainly due to their cooking techniques and minimal oil use. A lot of Chinese people prefer a plant-based diet too. Therefore, local Chinese people hardly suffer from problems such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disorders.

What is the healthier version of rice and noodles?

Let us discuss another major part of their staple diet to know more. As mentioned earlier, there are ways in which you can modify a dish to its healthier version if you are very conscious. It is the same in rice because sometimes, many of us want to stay away from rice when it comes to carbohydrates.

However, you don’t need to sacrifice so much when you can replace the regular rice with a fiber-filled alternative. We are referring to brown rice, which is typically rich in fiber and satisfies cravings pretty well.

Talking about the Chinese staple diet, how can we miss out on the global favorite noodles? Well, they are also considered unhealthy by weight watchers. Now, just like rice, we have alternatives to noodles too! You will be happy to know that several types of noodles are super healthy and tasty too.

For example, buckwheat soba noodles, wholegrain udon noodles, shirataki noodles, and brown rice noodles are some of the healthiest alternatives to regular noodles.

Traditional soba noodles contain wholegrain buckwheat flour, so they are high on protein, Vitamin B, potassium, and fiber. On the other choices, udon noodles will ensure that you get enough fiber and protein from a portion of it.

Moreover, shirataki noodles contain many water and fiber because they are products of the konjac yam roots. In fact, the shirataki noodles are even great for weight loss purposes because of low calorie and carbohydrate content. Plus, if you are looking for anything gluten-free, then this is a cool idea.

In general, if you are a noodle lover, then go for brown rice noodles mainly because they contain good fiber, such as glucomannan. So, when such soluble fibers mix with water, its volume increases, therefore keeping you full for a longer time.

If you are always confused about a proper portion size of noodles, it is more like a tennis ball. It means that if you measure dry noodles, then it is a quarter cup, and otherwise half. So, there are things to remember when you head out for dinner at the local Chinese restaurant or even when you are trying out recipes at home.

If you are really looking forward to trying out healthier versions, then ensure that the sodium levels are low. Therefore, use less amount of sauce and healthier proteins such as tofu and chicken. Besides, it would be best if you avoided fried and glutenous stuff till the time you can.

Is real Chinese food healthy - Some tips to help you

We all crave junk, but controlling it is the real deal here. So, instead of having cheat meals every weekend, try to do it once a month. Therefore, try to have healthier dishes with steamed proteins, vegetables, soups, and more for the rest of the 29 days in a month.
It is better that you try to limit your special dish intake for special events and banquets only.
When you are preparing your favorite Chinese meal, try to limit the use of certain ingredients. This includes oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, chili oil, and MSG (Mono Sodium Glutamate)
Control the oil content in your food by adopting healthier cooking techniques such as sauteing, stir-frying, roasting, boiling, blanching, and more. The best alternatives for unhealthy cooking oil in Chinese food include tomato juice, rice wine, garlic, ginger, pepper, and more. Plus, there are several non-fat cooking ingredients and seasoning options that you can use as alternatives.
When you use pork or duck proteins, ensure that you trim off the fat portions between the skin and the flesh. Besides, you should ideally not eat the skin of the proteins or limit the intake. Also, try not to consume side dishes or condiments that contain a high amount of sodium.
Most of the time, when you are attending Chinese banquets, there are soda bottles kept in the middle of the table. Besides, such drinks are definitely very tempting, especially when you are eating oily stuff. Now, your challenge here to stay away from soda type drinks. Although it is alright to drink a glass of it, now that should be the limit.
Who does not love instant ramen or noodles? But when you ask about the unhealthiest Chinese food, the answer is constant: instant packaged food. Now, of course, we are human beings and so crave things at times. If you really want to watch your health try to do some portion control. At least, you must ensure that you are not pouring the entire packet of seasoning that comes with the instant noodles packets. Even if you have poured all of the sodium-rich seasonings, add a little extra water to the dish to dilute the ingredients’ harmful effects.

Chinese cuisine Vs. other cuisines

So, what is your opinion regarding Chinese food? Do you think it is healthier than other cuisines, or do you think they should only be limited to occasional indulgence? On the one hand, Chinese cuisine indeed uses loads of vegetables, healthy cooking options, and light food; the opposite is undeniable.

Yes, you guessed it right because high-sodium sauces use high heat for cooking vegetables, fried food, and more make for very unhealthy food options. This section will discuss some of the most important virtues and sins of Chinese cuisine, and we will start with the latter!

Most common sins or disadvantages of consuming Chinese food

Here is a list for you to be aware of your food habits and not to scare you in any sense. While we all love Chinese novelties, it is important to know the minus points to make it easier for you to switch to healthier alternatives the next time you crave some Chinese food.

High sodium

The typical meal structure of the Chinese consists of a primary dish that is high on starch. As you already know, this starch content comes from ingredients such as potatoes and a variety of grains. However, they are very bland and tasteless naturally, and you must add salt to make it better.

Now, this is where the problem lies, especially when we are considering restaurant or takeaway food. For example, when you go to a restaurant and order a Chinese soup or ramen bowl, the fact that there is some bland broth pushes the chef to add more salt.

As a result, the dish becomes so tasty that you can sip down a whole bowl. Therefore, the sodium levels in your body instantly shoot up, making the situation so unhealthy.

You will be surprised to know that the case was not the same in earlier times in this context. The rural people of China were not rich and did not have much access to protein and salt. So, for them, a stale diet was farm fresh vegetables, cheaper proteins, and more. Moreover, the lack of salt was the reason why they lived healthier lives.

In the present situation, salt is a common ingredient, and everyone has access to the same. Also, meat-eating has become more than ever now. So, Chinese food is not as healthy as before, but you can surely modify it to make it healthier.

High cholesterol

What do Chinese eat daily? out of all other things, considering cholesterol, let us talk about pork. The Chinese people, anyway, love their meat, especially pork belly, organs, and skin.

While such proteins taste delicious and are rich in vitamins, they also add up to the body’s cholesterol level. However, most of the restaurants now don’t use all the organs and skins. Instead, they sell pork belly that is double fried or dishes made with pork shoulders.

MSG content

If you are feeling very thirsty after eating some Chinese, then in all probability, they added quite an amount of MSG in it. While on the one hand, some people are allergic to the ingredient; on the other hand, the sodium content is a bigger concern.

MSG does not taste as salty as normal salt becomes tougher for the body to sense the difference. Besides, people usually don’t realize the amount of MSG they are consuming till it reaches the maximum limit.

Cooking at extremely high temperature

When it comes to Chinese cooking, two of the most common techniques are deep-frying and stir-frying. Now, when you order stir-fried dishes in a Chinese restaurant it is evident that they prepare those on very high temperatures. As a result, the ingredients release a beautiful savory umami in the form of fat droplets that enhances the taste of the dish.

So, this is how you are consuming harmful substances such as acrylamide or styrene oxide that are both naturally carcinogenic. Although, there are no proofs that consuming such foods in little amounts can be harmful, but it is your responsibility to be aware of whatever you eat.

Consuming hot liquids

It is like a tradition in China that people love to drink anything liquid in its piping hot stage. It can be anything such as soup, hot tea, or simply hot water. Fortunately, this is not the case in Western countries where people like to have cold beverages. Now, you must be aware of the harmful impact of consuming something scorching hot.

Out of all, the most harmful effect is the burning of the mucosa. Surprisingly, your mind and body may actually end up liking the whole feeling, just like when you are eating spicy food and cannot stop despite the spiciness hitting you.

There is a scientific concept here: the release of dopamine that counters the pain due to spicy or scorching food. Besides, that dopamine rush is sometimes like an addiction too. The only difference between both cases is that while moderately spicy stuff causes lesser harm, very hot food can permanently harm the mucosa present in the esophagus and the mouth. As a result, you may be left with scar tissues or precancerous symptoms.

Excessive oil

Even if we ignore how the Chinese prepare food at home, the restaurant dishes are unhealthy with many oils. The primary reason why the chefs use excessive oil is to make the dishes look better as well as taste more satisfying. Therefore, the chefs at restaurants add oil to the hot wok that they use for stir-frying. The process releases superb umami that makes the food more delectable.

More oil is often added towards the later part of the cooking to make the food shinier and glossier. Besides, using excessive oil is a widespread thing when it comes to Sichuan cuisine. While the harmful impact of consuming excessive oil differs from one person to another, the common fact is that doing so is unnecessary.

Numbing ingredients

It is more of the latest trend that Chinese restaurants prefer using bolder and bigger flavors in their cooking. For example, dry chili powder and paste, fermented soybean paste, and more. While they enhance the flavors of the dishes, they also have a numbing effect on the palette.

Now, such flavors are often used in restaurants to dim the weird taste and smell of any cheap or stale ingredient that may harm the person’s health. Obviously, nowadays, it is evident that the diner’s health is not a concern for the restaurant. Therefore, using harmful or expired products.

After sounding terrible and disappointing you a lot, it is time to look at the flip side of the story. As you already know, it is always possible to make things healthier.

Virtues or benefits of Chinese food

So, is Chinese food healthy? Yes, it is! It is time to look at the brighter things and justify that Chinese food is absolutely healthy if prepared properly. Besides, what is the secret behind the low rate of obesity and heart issues among the Chinese communities? Let’s check out the section below for more answers.

Lesser use of refined carbs

Usually, by the tern ‘refined carbs,’ we mean sugar, flour, rice, and more. Now, these do not have much significance when it comes to Chinese cuisine. Especially if you consider regions such as Shanghai, people almost don’t use sugar at all.

Even when you want to eat one of their “sweet and sour” dishes, there is no sugar at all. It is usually honey, pineapple extract, dark rice vinegar, and more. Apart from sugar, they also do not use fruits or milk in their dishes.

If you go through China’s food history, they prefer mixed grains over starchy ones such as flour and rice. If you try using millet, legumes, barley, and corn, they taste far better with other typical Chinese staple ingredients.

More consumption of good fibers

If you look at the typical US meal pattern, then there is always a centerpiece of meat and smaller portions of sides such as vegetables or grains. According to food experts, the modern American meal pattern takes inspiration from French haute cuisine. It is the kind of food that the royal and richer class of France enjoys. The main feature of this kind of food is that the meat in it is the focal point.

On the other hand, when it comes to Asian cuisine, including Chinese, grains and vegetables, are the main focus instead. If not more, at least both of these play an equal role in this cuisine. One of the most common philosophies in Chinese cuisine is a combination of flavors and ingredients. As a result, we end up getting more complex flavors.

Let’s take the example of a ubiquitous Chinese stir fry dish: pork strips with celery. Here both the main foods are stir-fried so that the flavor of each infuses into the other. It is a cool technique to feed the family with many veggies that consist of so much fiber.

Variety and diversity of ingredients

This is the most important virtue or advantage of Chinese cuisine because it consists of food from a variety of sources. As earlier human beings gathered food by typical farming and hunting activities, the same food habits continue somewhere in the later generations. Thanks to China’s diversity and farming culture, people get so many different types of ingredients.

You already know that meat and vegetables’ nutritional benefits are different and very important in their own ways. Therefore, the perfect balance of food is essential. The Chinese people can also almost use all parts of animals and vegetables for cooking, which is another perfect part. It is another reason why Chinese food is very healthy and nutritious.

The best cooking techniques

The way you cook your food matters a lot when it comes to measuring the nutritional value. While most restaurants set the wrong example that stir-frying is the only technique for making Chinese food, it is not true. The real deal is that there are quite a few uncommon cooking techniques that the Chinese use to prepare food. Some of them are here:

Steaming
Velveting
Wine-pickling
Braise-marinating
Steam-frying
Blanching
Salt-baking

While the list is longer than this, you will be surprised to know that there are several different types of stir-frying techniques. Therefore, it is your wish and health consciousness that will decide which technique you prefer the most.

The art of balancing

According to the traditional Chinese etiquettes and philosophy, the Doctrine of the Mean focuses on the term “balance.” It is very evident if you take the example of a typical Chinese meal.

You will see almost everything that your body requires, such as proteins, vitamins, carbs, minerals, fibers, fats, and more. Plus, it is fascinating that a normal Chinese family does not have all the scientific knowledge, but surely knows how to design the best meal plans.

Health problems that follow the overconsumption of Chinese food

Here is a list of health issues that may occur due to the consumption of unhealthy versions of Chinese food. However, you will never suffer from these issues if you understand that traditional Chinese is healthy and very different from the restaurant versions.

Hypertension
Bloating
Weight gain
Acidity
Headache
Numbness
Sweating
Flushing
Chest pain
Weakness
Nausea

Top 10 healthiest Chinese dishes

Check out the list of these healthy Chinese dishes to satisfy your cravings in an ideal way. Besides, now you will know what to eat!

Mixed vegetables

So, our mothers had always tried to feed us more vegetables since when we were little children. While most of us did not like it, we surely know that they are extremely beneficial. Therefore, when looking for something very healthy, go for some lightly sauteed (stir-fried) or steamed vegetables.

Broth type appetizers and soups

There are several types of broth-based foods such as hot and sour, egg drop, wontons, and more. All of them are extremely flavorful but very low on calories. First, they are healthy, and the second is that they are filling, and therefore, you don’t overeat.

Vegetable dumplings

These are awesome starters and snacks that also offer the correct amount of steamed vegetables. However, you should try dipping it in chili sauce instead of soy sauce to restrict the sodium intake. Besides, you must also do portion control to ensure that you don’t indulge in mindless eating.

Stir fry

Now, for this, you can mix any lean protein or sea food with a choice of vegetables and stir fry in very little oil. Ensure that you do not soak everything in too much sauce because it becomes very unhealthy instead.

Lettuce wraps

So, you must have had spring rolls and other types of wraps that you get in typical rice paper or flour sheets. However, refined flour contains so many carbs that it is unhealthy. Now, to eat the same delectable dish and still stay healthy is possible. For that, you have to replace the typical flour papers with lettuce leaves.

Kung Pao chicken

Most of the time, the Kung Pao chicken is easily available on every restaurant menu as well. However, it depends on whether the outside version is made properly or not. Now, this dish is a great alternative to the Tso chicken or the sweet and sour one.

However, the only difference is that the chicken pieces are not fried in this case. Plus, there is a lot of vegetables that you get along with the protein.

Buddha’s delight

This is a traditional vegetarian dish that is full of flavors and rich in texture. Moreover, it is light for the body and very healthy.

Ma-Po Tofu

As you already know, tofu comes from soy milk, and it is rich in protein. In fact, just half a cup of tofu contains as much as 11 grams of proteins. Moreover, this ingredient is full of calcium and iron.

Moo Shu chicken

This dish is pancake wrapped with chicken in vegetables. The health part is ensured because the content of vegetables is more in comparison with the meat. Plus, if you can control the flour pancakes usage, you can always replace it with lettuce wraps.

Chop suye

Yes, this dish is healthy despite the use of fried noodles. It is because a bowl of chop suey is loaded with cabbages that are great antioxidants. Moreover, the traditional chop suey consists of water chestnuts and beansprouts apart from several other vegetables.

Top 10 unhealthy Chinese dish

What is the unhealthiest Chinese food? Well, we have a list of dishes to answering your query. Check out the ones here.

Deep-fried wontons
Crab Rangoon
Lo mein
Sweet and sour chicken
Barbeque spare ribs
Fried egg rolls
Fried rice
Chow fun
General Tso’s chicken
Barbeque chicken wings

While the previous list was all about healthy food minus the overconsumption of oil and sodium-rich sauces, this list is the opposite. All of these items are either deep-fried or drenched in sauce or both at times. However, by now, you already know how to make Chinese food healthy, and we hope you will be more aware of what you eat!

In Cuisine November 26, 2020

What Is Chinese Gluten Free Food?

A short guide for Gluten-free Chinese food

Gluten is an essential group of proteins obtained from grains like wheat, rye, and barley. Gluten, found in food, is essential for maintaining elasticity and providing moisture. Furthermore, gluten in bread helps to retain the chewy texture.

Gluten is safe to consume, but it might have counter-reactions to people suffering from gluten sensitivity and celiac diseases. People suffering from these conditions should avoid the consumption of gluten to keep away any serious health damages.

Most food items and dishes have gluten-containing ingredients as the main part of their foods. If you are allergic to gluten, you should prefer checking the ingredients thoroughly.

A gluten-free diet is beneficial for those suffering from celiac diseases. Celiac disease refers to a condition that triggers the body’s immune system when a person consumes gluten-containing food. People with non-celiac gluten sensitivity should also avoid the consumption of gluten-containing food. Gluten-containing food can, however, trigger reactions like stomach pain, diarrhea, and bloating.

Further research needs to be done about the benefits of a gluten-free diet. But various studies suggest that a gluten-free diet can help those suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. This chronic condition causes digestive disorders such as constipation, stomach pain, gas, and diarrhea.

Gluten is an essential component of many nutritious food items such as wheat, rye, and barley. Although a gluten-free diet is essential for the body, it can have counter-reactions too. The lack of gluten in the body can increase the risk of essential nutrient deficiencies such as niacin, iron, folate, and riboflavin. Gluten-free diets also contain less fiber, which is why they have a huge impact on digestive health.

If you are allergic to gluten, the consumption of food containing gluten can trigger allergic reactions. However, allergy symptoms include hives, rash, stuffy or runny nose, asthma, sneezing, and more.

What Chinese food is gluten free?

Chinese festivals often see a massive rise in gluten-free food consumption, and it is all for good. A gluten-free diet can be a little challenging, but it’s not impossible. In fact, around China and the world, several restaurants are selling gluten-free food.

Doesn’t the absence of wheat, rye, or barley make the dish boring? – This is something that may have crossed your mind, and the answer is NO. Being on a gluten-free diet should never stop you from enjoying your favorite Chinese festival dishes. Here are some absolutely lip-smacking gluten-free Chinese dishes.

Gluten Free Sweet and Sour Chicken

Gluten-free Sweet and Sour chicken should be on your list of gluten-free Chinese foods. It has a sticky, sweet-sour sauce with a light batter. You can add some deep-fried chicken to the batter to enhance the taste.

Gluten Free Crispy Chilli Beef

This is something you can easily make. It’s super tasty with a sweet and sticky fiery sauce. What’s great about this is that you can make it at home for cheap, so it doesn’t hurt your pocket too.

Gluten free Chicken curry

Who doesn’t love Chinese chicken curry? And for it to be gluten-free is nothing less than a cherry on the cake. Curries are mostly gluten-free, but Chinese dishes often are made of gluten powder whose main component is wheat.

Gluten free vegan Satan curry

You’re not probably going to find it at any Chinese restaurant, but you can always prepare one at home. Sweet potato acts as the perfect replacement for chicken because it easily soaks up the flavor and pairs perfectly with the spicy sauce.

Gluten free prawn toast

Prawn toasts are delicious. But, most people often refrain from having it because of gluten content in bread. Well, you can enjoy it with gluten-free bread.

Gluten free spring rolls

Gluten-free spring rolls might come up as an impossible dish, but they aren’t. To get the maximum effect, you need to ensure that you’ve mixed it up thoroughly. You can enjoy your gluten-free spring rolls with sweet chili sauce.

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What Chinese food items are gluten free?

Apart from the gluten-free food, there are Chinese food ingredients that are gluten-free as well. These gluten-free items are available in Chinese supermarkets for pretty cheap. If you are looking forward to getting your hands on Chinese food items gluten-free, you should totally get these.

Gluten-free oyster sauce

Brands selling oyster sauce clearly mention it in the packing itself. You can use the gluten-free oyster sauce for various recipes and stir-fries. Ah, delicious!

Tapioca starch and rice flour

These are essential starches and flours that do not contain gluten. You can easily make a flour blend of your choice using these gluten-free products.

Spring roll wrapper

The spring roll wrappers are available in the market for a very affordable rate. You can purchase these gluten-free spring roll wrappers and deep-fry them to relish on some delicious spring rolls.

Fresh rice noodles

Fresh rice noodles are available in the chilled section usually. They are a perfect addition to your stir-fries and soup noodles. The other noodles that are gluten-free for you to try include glass noodles and dried noodles.

Fried beancurd

Most people don’t know what a beancurd is. Beancurd is tofu that has a crispy, fried exterior. They are a perfect replacement for meats.

Instant noodles

We all love instant noodles. However, not all instant noodles are gluten-free. So, you must check the ingredients mentioned on the packaging.

Mochi

Mochi is rice-based treats that have a sweet filling. Mochi is available in two flavors- strawberry and peanut butter.

Seasoning Mix

Seasoning mixes are easy to use and extremely delicious. You can check the supermarket and find the seasoning mix of your choice. However, not every seasoning mix is free of gluten. Thus, you must check the ingredients thoroughly.

Is Chinese rice gluten free?

Yes, all rice is free of gluten. Thus, brown rice, wild rice, white rice, and Chinese rice are free of gluten. Asian rice or Sticky rice is often referred to as glutinous rice. Despite the name, it is free of gluten. Boiled and fried rice of all varieties are free of gluten.

Rice is one of the best and most popular gluten-free grains for people suffering from celiac diseases. A lot of Chinese goods are made of rice instead of gluten because of their gluten-free nature. However, not every rice is free from gluten, so it is necessary to check it.

Is Chow Mein gluten free?

Noodles made of wheat aren’t gluten-free. The Chow mein noodles are made of wheat flour and eggs, same as that of Italian pasta. ‘Mein’ is the Chinese name for noodles. Chow mein is one of the most popular Chinese noodles. If you love chow mein but are allergic to gluten, you should refrain from using it because it can have counter effects.

Chow mein noodles are healthy, provided you know how to prepare it. Gluten-free chow mein made of rice flour can have benefits. However, since it is made with lots of vegetables and lean proteins, you can consume chow mein.

Do Chinese dumplings have gluten?

Dumplings are one of the most loved Chinese dishes. There are certain Chinese etiquettes for the consumption of dumplings. Chinese dumplings are wrapped in wheat dough. Hence, it can be concluded that Chinese dumplings aren’t gluten-free. Chinese dumplings have fillings wrapped in the tough. The dough is often made of wheat flour, potato, or bread. The filling consists of sweets, vegetables, cheese, meat, and fish.

If you love Chinese dumplings and are gluten cautious, you should refrain from this. The dough is prepared with a combination of tapioca flour and wheat starch. Hence, if you’re looking for the answer to ‘are Chinese dumplings gluten-free?’ sadly, they’re not, but there’s always an alternative so that you can savor the delicious Chinese dumplings.

You can always prepare Chinese dumplings from scratch, even if you are on a gluten-free diet. Instead of wheat starch and tapioca flour, you should use gluten-free flour.

Are spring rolls gluten free?

It totally depends on what the wrap is made up of. Mostly, the spring roll wraps are made of wheat. Hence, it may not be gluten-free. A lot of spring roll wrappers are available in the market made up of rice paper. These rice paper spring roll wrappers are 100% gluten-free.

You can also find gluten-free spring roll wraps in the market. Fresh Chinese spring rolls are healthy, especially if you make the filling rich in raw vegetables and lean protein. The rice paper or rice spring roll wraps are low in calories and fat, making it extremely healthy. Spring rolls are a staple dish for Chinese holidays. Chinese spring rolls and black tea can be an ideal evening snack.

Is there gluten in soy sauce?

No. Soy sauce is not gluten-free. Soy sauce is made up of essential ingredients like soybeans, salt, water, and wheat. Soybeans are cooked with wheat, to which aspergillus mold is added. The mixture is left for fermentation for a few months so that the soy and wheat can break down by hydrolysis.

The soy sauce is hydrolyzed, and the gluten content is broken down into smaller particles, peptides. Soy sauce isn’t gluten-free, which is why it is still capable of causing damage to people suffering from celiac diseases.

Is there any alternative to gluten-free Chinese sauces? If you’re looking forward to a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce, then you can always choose tamari. Tamari is thick and has a stronger flavor as compared to soy sauce. If you’re dining at a restaurant and choosing gluten-free dishes, then you should always check if the dishes contain soy sauce too. A lot of restaurants use soy sauce for deep frying certain dishes.

Is Chop Suey gluten free?

Chinese Chop Suey made up of rice is often gluten-free. However, if grains such as wheat, barley, and rye are used to make chop suey, it won’t be gluten-free. Chop suey is one of the best traditional Chinese dishes that consists of several vegetables. But, it may also contain seafood, poultry, and meat. The gluten-free version of Chop Suey is served with sticky rice.

You can make gluten-free chop suey at home or order a bowl of delicious chop suey with noodles from the restaurant. However, you must check with the restaurant about whether the chop suey is gluten-free or not before confirming your order, especially if you are on a gluten-free diet.

Can you eat gluten-free in China?

You can follow a gluten-free diet in China, especially if you’re committed to it. China is the land of dumplings, wheat production, and noodles. You might often feel that following a gluten-free diet in China is nearly impossible, but it is not. Although it might get a little tough, there are surely several gluten-free dishes you can try in China if you’re on a strict diet.

Here are some of the tips to follow a gluten-free diet in China

Know what to order and what to avoid

Gluten allergy is taken very seriously across Chinese restaurants. Chinese dishes such as wontons, dumplings, soy sauce have gluten in them. These details are mentioned in the menu itself. You can choose dishes made of gluten-free Chinese ingredients. You may prefer directly speaking to the chef if you want to have a delicious gluten-free Chinese meal.

Gluten-free Chinese food to try
Steamed rice and vegetable
Non-thickened soup
Non-bread meat and fish.
Foods to avoid
Cereals, wheat
Deep-fried food (as it may be consisting of soy sauce)
Soy and oyster sauce
Food made of rice wine and beer

Carry snacks with you

When you travel to China and want to keep up with your gluten-free diet, it is always a clever idea to carry snacks with you. You can find several gluten-free backup snacks in China, such as nuts, protein drinks, boiled eggs, and crackers. Fruits are also one of the best snacks that you can carry with you.

The celiac friendly snacks are available in supermarkets and aren’t expensive as well.

Visit a doctor if allergy triggers

Suppose your gluten allergy triggers make sure to visit a doctor immediately. The doctor will prescribe you medicines accordingly that will help to treat the allergy. If you have celiac disease, you should prefer getting yourself admitted into the hospital.

Get medications for yourself

We always want the best, but it is better to stay prepared for the worst. If you are allergic to gluten, you should always keep medications at hand. If you are native to China, you can get these medications at the local chemist. But, if you’re visiting China from any foreign land, you should carry your medications because sometimes it may get tough to find your respective medications at your arrival.

How to make Chinese food gluten free?

Not all foods are gluten-free but are loved by all, especially wonton, spring rolls, and dumplings. Although these aren’t gluten-free, you can surely make these. If you love pizza, you can always make gluten-free bases. You can buy gluten-free flour to prepare the base of these dishes.

Fast-food takeaways are not usually gluten-free. However, certain Chinese restaurants do provide the option of gluten-free foods. If you want to make gluten-free food, you need to purchase gluten-free ingredients.

What Chinese takeaway food is gluten free?

If you’re on a gluten-free diet, you will want to choose gluten-free foods. Wheat noodles contain gluten. So, you might want to refrain from gluten. However, there are rice noodles available in the market as they are gluten-free. Rice is a great alternative to gluten-containing wheat.

Soy sauce is used in most Chinese dishes. Hence, when meat, vegetables, and fishes are cooked in soy sauce, they become gluten. On the other hand, vegetables, meat, and fish are gluten-free in nature, until it is cooked in soy sauce.

Spring rolls contain gluten if they’re made of wheat as the base wrap. But, if they’re made of rice base wrap, the same spring rolls will be gluten-free. It entirely depends on what the food is made up of.

Which Chinese food are sauces gluten-free?

Soy sauce is the primary Chinese food sauce. But, it contains gluten. However, not all sauces are made up of gluten. Hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, Cooking wines, and fish sauce are the primary sauces that do not contain gluten. However, it completely depends on brands. Hoisin and oyster sauce is 100% gluten-free.

Furthermore, it depends on the ingredients it is made of. Sweet and Sour sauce is one of the essential sauces, but it is not gluten-free either. If Sweet and Sour sauce is made without gluten ingredients, it can cater to the needs. The sweet and sour sauce is thick. Cornstarch is thus used to make sweet and sour sauce gluten-free.

Which Asian food is gluten-free?

Not every Asian food has gluten. Having a gluten-free Asian diet is pretty easy. This is because most of the ingredients in Asian foods are free of gluten-diet, such as sesame oil, tofu,, and rice.

Some of the prominent Asian sauces that are gluten-free are oyster sauce and hoisin sauce. On the other hand, some of the prominent Asian gluten-free foods include

Rice noodle dishes
Beef and chicken.
Shrimp
Broccoli
Buddha’s delight
Rice

The Do's and Don'ts of Sticking to Gluten-Free diet

Being on a gluten-free diet isn’t tough. You don’t necessarily need to give up on noodles and rice.

Do’s

1. Consult a dietician

A gluten-free diet isn’t meant for everyone. You should consult a dietician about whether or not you should be on the gluten deficit diet because it may have an important impact on your nutritional health.

2. Maintain a balanced diet

Carbohydrates aren’t unhealthy. It would help if you consumed sufficient levels of protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables.

Don’ts

1. Just flow with the trends

If you are intolerant to gluten, a gluten-free diet can be beneficial for you. Please do not jump on the bandwagon because it fits the trend. Follow a gluten-free diet only if you are comfortable with it.

2. Giving up on social life

Being on a gluten-free diet shouldn’t mean you give up the social life. Several restaurants provide gluten-free dishes as well, so you can feast.

Chinese Food Gluten Free Recipes

Here are some of the best gluten-free Chinese food recipes you should try if you are on a strict gluten-free diet.

Gluten free sweet and sour chicken balls

When made of gluten-free materials, the crispy sweet and sour chicken balls can be extremely beneficial. Moreover, they are dairy-free as well, which can help you even if you’re lactose intolerant.

Sweet and sour chicken

If you are more inclined towards non-veg dishes, then the sweet and sour chicken is one of the best dishes for you. Instead of wheat, you can coat the chicken in cornstarch and fry it before putting it in the oven.

Sesame Tofu

Believe it or not, but sesame Tofu is extremely beneficial. Coating tofu in sesame sauce and gravy can play an important role in enhancing the overall taste.

Vegetable fried rice

Vegetable fried rice is one of the best gluten-free Chinese dishes you can try. You can add tofu and egg to your traditional fried rice recipe.

Instant Pot Orange Chicken

If you have an instant pot in your home, you can always prepare instant pot orange chicken. These are easy to cook and take less than 30 minutes.

Takeaway

Gluten-free diets are healthy for you, but it comes with certain drawbacks as well. It is also necessary to keep in mind that a gluten-free diet isn’t for everyone.

If you follow a gluten-free diet, you need to consider all aspects. Before bringing any changes to your diet, you should consider talking to your dietician.

In Cuisine April 3, 2019

Here is What You Must Know About Chinese Cuisine

An overview of Chinese Cuisine

Like all other significant pillars of Chinese masterpieces, Chinese cuisine contributes a lot to the making of overall Chinese culture. The configuration of Chinese cuisine is an amalgamation of cooking practices originating from diverse regions of China as well as of the Chinese people from other parts of the world.

Inheriting a lot from the cuisines of the other Asian countries, it has, in turn, remarkably influenced the long-carried features of theirs, modifying the local palates in a better way.

The criteria for cooking techniques of different Chinese provinces largely vary due to the distinct historical background sharing, along with the origin and diversity of the ethnic groups.

Climatic variation, from tropical in the south to subarctic in the northeast, coupled with the geographical distribution of China – including mountains, rivers, deserts, and forests – penetrate deeper into the locally available ingredients, affecting the taste and the nutrients composition inexplicably.

The other factors like the imperial, noble, and royal preferences also play a role in transforming Chinese cuisine. The expansion of imperialism and trading, way back in the 18th century, brought cooking techniques from other parts of the world to the Chinese kitchens.

Such is the importance of Chinese cuisine in Chinese Philosophy that food is often used as a component of the figure of speech, to express something indirectly.

Like the Chinese philosopher I Ching puts it, “Gentlemen use eating as a way to attain happiness. They should be aware of what they say and refrain from eating too much.”

The significance of Chinese cuisine is inseparable for the Chinese people. Even in the foreign lands, as the effect of Chinese cuisine is deeply penetrated now, the migrants from China don’t have to rely solely on the local food.

Facts about Chinese Cuisine

Every country has its own set of cooking and eating practices aligned across the centuries-old traditions and unbroken chain of followership, which gets carried generation after generation, to the modern time – just to find itself morphed into a unique state.

So is the story of Chinese cuisine – the oldest and most famous in the world – embedded with a ton load of facts and myths that collectively give it a route into the vast world of food lovers.

10 Crucial Facts about Chinese Cuisine

Tradition and superstition

Traditional Chinese cuisine is dictated a lot by superstitions and age-old traditions. Certain dishes can only be eaten during particular times of the year so that it could bring good luck.

Eat fresh

The Chinese would rather visit the market every day to buy fresh vegetables and meat than live off tinned or canned food. They always prefer to go for fresh seasonal foods.

Eat anything under the sun

Well almost! Starting from raw octopus and dog hotpot to pig’s ears, intestines, snakes and scorpions –anything that foreigners might find unusual are popular in the East Asia cultures.

Rare veggies

The most unfamiliar vegetables have found a place in the incredible Chinese cuisine. Bitter cucumber, tree fungi, and strange weeds are some names that one can possibly translate to relate!

Food boundary

Contrary to our belief, rice is not really the staple for the entire Chinese population. In the colder northern parts of the country, wheat and its derivatives are more popular.

Incredible flavors

The range of flavors in Chinese cuisine varies incredibly worldwide. Flavors keep changing as you travel from one part of China to another.

Chopsticks tax

There is a disposable chopsticks charge in China to curtail the use of 45 billion pairs of chopsticks a year! Now, that’s a whopping amount for sure!

Confusing names

Never go by the names of dishes, to save yourself from getting misled. For instance, if you think “Field Chicken” is your soul food, it is actually a frog dish—note that!

Why chopsticks

Forks and knives (what we use) are considered as weapons in the East Asia cultures and thus deemed inappropriate. Chopsticks were, therefore, invented.

Soup in the end

Soup is the last dish in a full course Chinese meal because it is meant to aid digestion. And in most parts of the world, we begin meals with the soup!

China’s Regional Cuisines

A perfect monotonous numbing flavor and the ‘sticky rice,’ beers, baijiu and vinegar, and lotus leaf rice set a paradigm for Chinese cuisines, helping it reach every nook and corner of the world.

Irrespective of the culture, geographical climate, history, cooking techniques and lifestyle, the peculiar style and taste – added with loads of nutritious and healthy diet pattern – enriches energy.

The historical irony may hold a lot more value in the culinary aspect as the shift from defining each ingredient in their recipe during the 17th century, has moved to traces of Shandong and Guangdong spices, being added in their food preparations nowadays.

Over time, many immigrants and East Asian cultures have amalgamated into China’s regional cuisines.

Types of regional cuisines in China

Western: strong halal food; the main meat is the sheep.
Northern: salty, regular; the staple food is wheat and fewer vegetables
Central: spicy with seasonings
Eastern: sweet and light
Southern minority: sour dishes

Cantonese

They serve this style with tea in the last. Multiple varieties of fried, steamed, stewed and baked dim sum are the main serving. Dishes included in this category are rice rolls, lotus leaf rice, turnip cakes, buns, jiaozi-style dumplings, stir-fried green vegetables, congee porridge, soups, etc.

Sichuan

The most common ingredients used are peanuts, sesame paste, chili peppers, and ginger, collectively producing pungency and spiciness into the dishes, in this style.

Anhui

The taste and the offering of this style get boosted with local herbs and vegetables, such as fresh bamboo and mushroom crops.

Shandong

Reliance mostly on seafood; and use of variant culinary techniques is seen in this cuisine.

Fujian

Focused on a good deal of seafood, in this style, food is served in a broth or soup. They prepare the items related to braising, stewing, steaming, and boiling as the main course.

Chinese Cuisine Traditional Foods

If you ever try searching for fried rice and chili chicken in the streets of China, be prepared to feel disappointed.

Why?

Because these are perhaps among the many dishes you would struggle to find in the list of traditional Chinese dishes. Yes, traditional cuisine in China is incredibly diverse, exciting, and rich—just like their culture; but it is so much more than our all-time favorites ‘chilly chicken and fried rice’!

Wondering what the traditional Chinese dishes are like?

Well, here is a quick list for you to drool over.

Hong Shao Rou

Translated into English, this dish is Red Braised Pork Belly. Originating in Shanghai, this is one of the most ‘drool-worthy’ Chinese dishes that are sure to tickle your taste buds. It is full of varied flavors which are brought in by the use of various aromatic spices, ginger, garlic, chili pepper, soya sauce, sugar, and rice wine.

Main food of China — Red Braised Pork Belly

Peking Duck

A smash hit with both the locals and foreigners in China, Peking Duck or Beijing Duck is a classic dish. It is exceptionally delicious with its eclectic mix of different sauces and succulent duck meat (including the skin). And the best thing is that it is not only available in Beijing, but all throughout China – and in its most authentic form.

Chinese cuisine Pecking duck — A smash hit with both the locals and foreigners in China

Wontons

The origin of Wontons in China can be traced back to the times of the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD) and was eaten customarily during the winter solstice.

These are delectable, quick to prepare, and can be cooked using different stuffing of either vegetables or minced meat. You can either try the fried wontons as scrumptious snacks or taste the soupy variant.

Hotpot

This is one of the more versatile Chinese dishes you can easily find all across China. Of course, there are regional variations in the spices and meats that are used to prepare this dish. Bound to be a great choice to keep yourself warm in the colder regions, hotpot is widely welcomed throughout the year. If you love super spicy food, you must try this dish!

In China, the tastes and aromas of traditional foods vary as you move from one province to another. You have to try them to cherish them!

Eating with Kids in China—What you need to know

Traveling with kids is an enjoyable experience as long as one knows how to keep them safe and healthy during the trip. It is very important to pay attention to their meals, especially while traveling.

Taking kids to the right restaurants

The most important requirement for choosing a restaurant is hygiene. Restaurants should have hygiene licenses. Most lavish restaurants provide baby-seats to seat the younger kids comfortably. Cities like Shanghai and Beijing have kids-themed restaurants for them, to keep up the excitement going.

Choose among the popular dishes according to your kids’ taste

Not all Chinese dishes may be palatable to them. There are lots of common dishes that you can choose from, like dumplings, noodles, fried rice, sweet and sour pork, egg roll, etc. For young kids, it is better to avoid fish, uncooked food, and street food in China.

Helping them wait

Chinese restaurants might take a long time in serving food. Helping kids to stay occupied can make the wait easier.

Use of proper Tableware

Keep a check if the tableware has been cleaned properly. Using chopsticks might not be a great idea, so you can always ask for a spoon while having a meal.

Most Popular Chinese Dishes

In China, the traditional way to greet anyone (if translated in English) means “Have you eaten yet?” So in a country like this, you can rest assured that the food will be amazing and mouthwatering.

Chinese food is gaining its popularity all over the world, because of its authentic taste and the ingredients used to make the dishes. A lot of fresh vegetables are used to cook the meal which makes the dish tastier. Sauces and seasoning are also used to provide a great blend of flavor and aroma.

Listed below are some of the most popular Chinese Dishes:

Jiaozi

It is also called Chinese dumpling, having a history of around 2000 years. Dumplings are truly one of the most known Chinese dishes and they deserve to be among the best top 5 dishes.

It is made up of ground meat and/or vegetables filled in it, and it is wrapped into a roll which is a piece of dough, which it is then sealed by tightening the edges.

Jiaozi traditional Chinese food — History of 2000 years

It is one of the most eminent foods in Spring Festival and Winter Solstice. There is a lot of variety in Chinese dumplings as they are stuffed with sugar, date, peanut or walnut. You can eat one according to your choice but all of them are equally tasty.

Mapo Tofu

This dish is very popular throughout China, and it is typically a Sichuan Cuisine. The name of this dish was named after a spotted woman (in Chinese, it is called “Mapo”) as that lady was famous for preparing relishing stir-fried tofu in Chengdu.

Main ingredients used to make this dish are tofu, chili peppers, ground beef/pork, and Sichuan peppers.

It is said that China tour is incomplete without tasting this spicy Sichuan food, starting with Mapo Tofu. It’s difficult to avoid the freshly made and tender tofu with a good spicy chili sauce which is made of ground meat, a broad bean paste, and wild peppers. Sichuan Sauce, along with it, makes it even more delicious!

Wonton

No matter wherever you plan to visit China, you’ll always get ample opportunities to taste this popular Chinese dish. They are soft, still, firm bundles of flavor, whether you eat them steamed, fried, or maybe floating in the broth. In all the ways, wontons taste amazingly great.

Very easy in form and filling, the wrapper of the wonton is made up of superior flour by the process kneading and fermentation. It is made special by plentiful fillings, like pork and other meats such as shrimps, and are also filled with fresh vegetables. There are wontons for every kind of taste.

Sauteed Sweet and Sour Pork

Sweet and Sour Tenderloin Pork are said to be the classic cuisines in China. Sweet and Sour Pork of Shandong Cuisine is very famous in China.

Types of Chinese food — sweet and sour at the same time

The main material of the dish is pork tenderloin. First, the meat is mixed with starch and flour; then, it is deep-fried in the oil until the surface of it turns golden. Then they stir-fry the meat and prepare the sweet and sour sauce.

This cuisine tastes sour and sweet and is very crispy outside and from inside, it is soft, so it can stimulate any person’s appetite. Sautéed Sweet and Sour Pork Tenderloin, is found on menus all over the country, as it highlights the versatility and regional blaze from every province.

Spring Rolls

Who does not know about this Chinese Dish? Spring rolls symbolize wealth and prosperity, as their color and shape are like a gold bar.

The skin of the Spring Rolls is made up of white flour, water, and salt; the fillings are usually made of ground meat or red bean paste and then they are deep-fried in hot oil till the color of the skin becomes golden. The outer part of the Spring Rolls is very crisp and the fillings of it are tender and fragrant.

Spring roll Shandong cuisine — Symbolize wealth and prosperity

So, include these dishes in your list and whenever you get a chance, you should undoubtedly try them as they are full of fresh vegetables and meat. And not to forget the Chinese sauces which add to the flavor and aroma of the food. So, never miss a chance to taste the real and traditional Chinese food as it is very different from the food that you might have eaten.

Chinese Soups and their categories

Chinese cuisines are well known as they are very different and original because of the various cultures and regions which make up China. Because of such diversity, Chinese food has become very famous globally, and especially Chinese soup.

Chinese chefs are also in demand all around the world as it is very difficult to make Chinese soup without the required skill and expertise. The creativity of Chinese chefs has made it viable to come up with such a fantastic assortment of Chinese soups which are distinct in flavors and texture.

Broadly the Chinese soups have been divided into two categories—these are thin soups and thick soups.

Let us know more about them

Thin Soup

Thin soups are usually prepared from a clear broth that is cooked very quickly and in it, the ingredients are added at the end.

Mostly thin soup is served as a beverage in China as it is believed that this soup is a very good appetizer. Thin soup is usually chicken or spinach soup which is served as a beverage or in banquets between courses.

Thick Soup

On the contrary, thick soups are cooked by putting all the ingredients in one go and get cooked in a slow process, in order to blend the flavors aptly. After that, cornstarch is also added to make the soup thick.

Thick soup is usually served for lunch or dinner as it makes a great dish, specifically for lunch as this soup is very filling. Few of the thick soups are sharks’ fin soup, hot and sour soup served with mu shu pork as these soups are served as a proper meal which has no other dishes.

All the Chinese soups have stock added in them. The stock is prepared by boiling vegetables, meat, and bones into a liquid porridge so that it can release the flavor. The stock is also made from, at times, a whole chicken, bones, and gourmet. Whichever Chinese soup you drink whether thin or thick, both types of soups are really good for health.

Alcoholic Beverages

A perfect blend of fermented beverages with main ingredients such as fruits, berries, grains – along with ingredients such as plant saps, tubers, honey, and milk – extracts sugar. The diluted water imparts much of the tastes into the liquid, to yield greater alcoholic strength.

Alcoholic beverages—such as Beer, Cider, Wine, and Spirit—are in regular use from around 10,000 BC.

“An alcoholic beverage can refer to any liquor or brew that contains alcohol.” When we talk about wine, it has been in use for past 8,000 years and the innovation traversed upon many miles to reach another part of the world through the human fleet migration.

Beer and wine are not the end of innovations in alcohol but continued with modernization in the form known as spirits.

The most preferred alcoholic beverages in China:

Huangjiu

Despite its name, Huangjiu is a ‘yellow wine’ brewed using grains. Further, the brewed grains is pasteurized and bottled later. The appearance looks clear, beige, and yellowish. The presence of alcoholic content is 15% to 20%.

This is one among the oldest Chinese alcoholic drinks prepared from ingredients such as water, cereals; and grains such as rice, millet, wheat, sorghum. It tastes mellow and sweet.

Its major production is in mainland China and Taiwan. Huangjiu contains many amino acids which are essential for health.

Baijiu

Baijiu preparation has been in use since 1368. They use sorghum-based shaojiu and refer to it as “Chinese vodka”. This enriches very strong flavors.

Baijiu is a sauce-scented prestigious brand available within China and in local terms, they say it as “Mao-t’ai”. It contains alcohol that ranges between 28% and 65%. They call it ‘white alcohol’ as it is a clear liquid.

Chinese wine — A glass and bottle of Jiugui (酒鬼; pinyin: jiǔ guǐ; lit. “drunkard” or “alcoholic”; also called Sot), a brand of baijiu

Beer

Beer is served brewed in Chinese cuisine. Beer is very famous and well-known since the 9600 B.C. Its preparation is complicated, taking the mixture of multi-varied starches which starts from fermenting malted barley, rice, wheat, or maize, for the formation. Cider is a festered apple juice. They serve it as a starter drink in a few styles of Chinese cuisine.

Wine

Different cuisines of China have different names for wine: these are Changyu Pioneer Wine, China Great Wall Wine, and Dynasty Wine. These are more commonly noticed in the regions of Yantai, Beijing, and Ningxia; Zhangjiakou in Hebei, Yibin in Sichuan, Tonghua in Jilin, Taiyuan in Shanxi.

They traditionally extract wine from musles to prepare Uyghur drink. Also, in the last eight years, a controversial preparation known as Tiger Bone Wine has gained tremendous popularity among the public.

Chinese Cuisine Noodles – Easy and Tasty

Noodles are considered as the main food in China. There is a numerous variety of noodles available in different regions of China. Every area of China provides various kinds of noodles, with its different techniques and flavors. Not only in China but noodles are also popular worldwide.

Noodles are an essential and primary need in Chinese cooking. Chinese noodles generally fluctuate as indicated by the area of preparation, fixings, shape or width, and way of arrangement.

The inception of Chinese noodles set foot in the Han tradition having a history of over 4,000 years.

Furthermore, the creation of noodles and their large-scale manufacturing have significantly changed the way of doing noodle business globally and China for that matter. Fundamentally, noodles are a sort of oat nourishment which is the principal body of the conventional Chinese eating regimen.

Why is Chinese Cuisine noodles so popular?

1. Cheap

Noodle is popular in East Asian culture because it costs dirt cheap.

2. Easy and Convenient

Noodles are one of the most convenient and easy things to cook and do not even require much cooking expertise. You just have to boil the water and pour the noodles into it. The heat and the packaged spices do rest of the work, leaving a tongue-tickling taste. It’s as simple as that.

3. Quick Meal

Noodles get prepared in a fraction of minutes and save the maker’s time. The people who come from the office, and tired, do not have much energy to cook. So, instead of ordering from outside, they prefer preparing noodles because the preparation is as quick as setting up the initials for a hefty dinner cooking.

4. Variety of flavors

It’s difficult to get bored with noodles, as these come in different flavors.

5. Ways to cook

You can combine noodles with any vegetable and cook differently, as experimenting with food always enhances the taste. As these come in a lot of varieties, it’s hard for one to get bored with the taste.

6. Perfect for Lazy people

Noodles are an appropriate meal for lazy people, as noodles do not take much effort, and get prepared in a short time.

Noodles are produced using fixings. However, the setting in which these are created and expanded inside Italy and China, fills the noodles with extraordinary tasty features and characters.

Noodles are a Chinese item but have got popular worldwide. These can be served with gravy or eaten dried.

Chinese Cuisine History

Chinese cuisine is one of the most amazing culinary cultures. Chinese cuisine is a term used for dishes made in various regions of China. With superb technology and unique style, it also has a great history. It has a profused impact on East Asian cultures.

Chinese food came into existence thousands of years ago in East Asia. As different regions have a different style of cooking, Chinese food originates from the various areas of China but does not come from the whole country.

Chinese Cuisine across various dynasties

In Zhou Dynasty, approx. more than 5000 years ago, millet and brown rice, or beans, were the major foods. But these staple foods were not the same as the Chinese have today. At that time, people have had white rice which was very expensive and rarely available.

The famous cuisine in Zhou dynasty was Ba Zheng. In Qin dynasty, they introduced sour flavor which was mainly an odor extracted from fish and meat. They also started using Vinegar and cinnamon powder at that time.

In the Han dynasty, people introduced salty flavor, and a big step was taken for Chinese cooking in the Han dynasty. Many cooking ingredients and imported eatables were also brought, such as walnut, cucumber, lettuce. In the Han dynasty, the Chinese cuisine witnessed a rapid development.

In Tang dynasty, by that period, people already had developed a quality level and had started living their lives fancily.

In Song dynasty, schools of cuisines like South, Chuan or North came into existence. In Qing, Yuan, and Ming dynasty, it was a significant development stage, as the foreign intrusions came up with hundreds of fresh cuisines. Islamic followers moved to China and made Halal as a new way of treating meats.

This Qing dynasty was ruled by Manchu people; so in Chinese cuisine, the influence of all Manchu styles and flavors came into the picture. As Ming dynasty was also there, so they bought plants of chili and pepper in China and named the plant as a fancy flower.

Chinese people didn’t take much enthusiasm in knowing its value. In Sichuan and Hunan, the flavor of spice became popular in no time and left its profound effect. With time, there were Chinese cuisine schools. Some western cuisines were also introduced by late Qing dynasty.

The Major transformation in Chinese Food

Since China converted into communist in 1949, there were many problems with grain. Later with time, almost 40% were handed over to the Government, and this handing over became a major reason in causing widespread famine.

Since 1979, with the founding of the People’s Republic of China, excellent results have been gained by Chinese cuisine. In the list of restaurants, traditional cuisines started showing up and with time, more variety of cuisines have been added to the list.

After the 1990s, there have been tremendous improvements in terms of the food situation; also, the Islamic food of Chinese has also been enhanced.

For its color, design, flavor, and fragrance, Chinese cuisine has become famous worldwide. The wide assortment of famous cuisines includes Lu, Huaiyang, Chuan and Cantonese. To wrap in a line, for the worldwide foodies, Chinese food is a lot more than just dim sums and fried rice!

How To Order Food In Restaurants In China

Are you a huge fan of Kung-Fu movies and Chinese cuisine?

Well, a trip to China is bound to be fulfilling for you, both for experiencing the East Asia culture up close and for tucking into incredible Chinese dishes! And the best way to experience both of these elements is by visiting the local Chinese restaurants.

To help you cherish the real cultural exposure, here is how you can order food in China restaurants.

Ordering the food

After the customary Chinese tea is served on arrival, you will be handed the menu or 菜单 (caidan / (pronounced) tseye-dan).

One common catch-word that you can memorize is “I want” i.e. 我要 – wǒ yào.

For instance, if you want a plate of rice, then you have to say “I would like to order for rice” i.e.

我想订购米饭 – Wǒ xiǎng dìnggòu mǐfàn.

Or if you don’t want MSG or Ajinomoto in your food, you can specify that too by saying –

我不想要味精 – Wǒ bùxiǎng yào wèijīng.

Now, what if you are a vegan?

If you love to experiment, then you can go ahead and taste exciting Chinese cuisine that includes almost everything that can move. But that does not mean that vegans and vegetarians are in danger!

If you are a strict vegan, all you need to do is just specify that you don’t want meat in your food, simple.

And you do that by saying 我不想要肉 – Wǒ bùxiǎng yào ròu.

If you want fries, ask for 薯条 – shǔ tiáo.

And to order for a Coke, just say 可乐 – kě lè.

Asking for the bill

After finishing your food, you simply need to call out to your waiter by asking for the bill – 请带上账单 – Qǐng dài shàng zhàngdān.

A culture tip

Remember to always avoid 4 or 7 dishes while placing an order. In Chinese Culture, these numbers are related to death and superstitions, so these are seldom used.

Ordering food in restaurants in China is overall simple, so you can look forward to a gastronomically enriching trip there.

Main Spices and Herbs Used in Chinese Cuisine

Chinese spices and herbs are mostly used in a small amount to make the recipes better, produce a subtle flavor, depth, and also a different kick which you might not get from anything else.

Let us see which are the spices and herbs that make the Chinese cuisines relishing

Ginger

Ginger is the most common ingredient, which is easily available in the market. It’s always recommended to make use of only fresh ginger as it gives a great flavor and aroma which makes the Chinese dishes mouthwatering. It is an indispensable spice, which can add heat and great flavor to vegetables, soup, and meat.

Five-Spice Powder

This five-spice powder comprises the ingredients including cassia, fennel seeds, anise pepper, star anise, and cloves. The mix of these separate spices is aromatic and also, not too hot. Well, you can also try to make a usable powder, by using equal quantities of each of these; however, in Chinese cuisines, these are also used in a different amount, according to the dish they want to prepare.

Cassia Bark

Also known as cinnamon, this spice is from Sri Lanka. These rolled-up quills are lovely and have a great flavor which lasts longer. They are mostly in large pieces and can also be picked out of the food easily. Cassia bark is usually used for sweet dishes but gives a completely different aroma to Chinese cuisines.

Bay Leaf

It is a spice which is very popular in making Chinese cuisines. Chinese people mostly use a bay leaf in cooking meat as bay leaf gets rid of the odor when used in meat. Few people also like using bay leaves in Chinese pickled vegetables.

Chenpi

This is the favorite spice of many people, which is used in making Chinese dishes. It is a sun-dried tangerine peel. Chenpi provides the food a citrus flavor and gives a punch to it by making the food taste even more interesting and refreshing.

For Western people, these spices can bring a new taste to the kitchen. Try these in your kitchen, to feel the difference in your local and Chinese dishes.

Chinese Cuisine Tools and Equipment

Isn’t it really intriguing, how easily the Chinese folks prepare such lip-smacking food?

How they stir up magic in minutes with all those different pieces of utensils, is really worth watching. And if you have always wanted to know what makes it so easy breezy for them, then here are the most useful Chinese cuisine equipment.

The Wok

Generally made of heavy iron or steel, the wok or chǎoguō/chaoww-gwor is perhaps the most important piece of a utensil. It is widely used in every Chinese household and restaurant. The shape and the size of the wok are chosen as per the dish that is prepared.

Click the picture for more details.

A Ladle

Ladles can be made out of different metals and materials, even bamboo. It is essential for transferring stew or soups from a wok to bowls.

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Wok Shovel

Remember the delicious Chinese stir-fried dishes? Well, those are cooked in the wok using a wok shovel.

It is another really important piece of utensil in Chinese kitchens.

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A Cleaver

Usually manufactured from high carbon and stainless steel, a Chinese cleaver is used by the chefs to slice and dice different food items. Cleavers are specially designed to chop meat.

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Rice Cooker

Since rice is a very popular staple in China, every household there has rice cookers. These electrically operated utensils are very heat efficient and can also be used to prepare porridge, stewing meat, heating foods.

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Steaming Basket

Steaming baskets are perfect for preparing all the non-fried dishes. Whether it is for steaming dumplings, pancakes, fish, meat or vegetables, these steaming baskets are of great utility. These are either made out of bamboo or from metals.

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Chopping Board

And, last but not least, Chinese chefs cannot make do without chopping boards. These not only protect the kitchen counter-tops while they chop and cut ingredients but also help to maintain hygiene and swiftness of cooking.

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