Famous for its abundance and exquisite, Chinese food culture has occupied an
important part in the nation's tradition cultures. China is of long history
with a vast territory. Due to the diversity of the climate, products and
customs, there are widely different food styles and taste in local regions.
Through creation by past dynasties, the long standing cooking art has formed
rich and colorful local dishes. Among them, "the eight major dishes" enjoys
the upper reputation, which consists of Shandong, Zhejiang, Sichuan, Jiangsu,
Guangdong, Hunan, Fujian and Anhui. Shandong dishes are divided into two
factions as Tsinan and Jiaodong dishes. They are good at clear dishes, pure
but not greasy. Sichuan dishes have enjoyed the fame that every dish has its
own characteristic and none two share the same taste. They are also famous for
pocked, peppery and savor taste. Chengdu and Chongqing dishes are two main
branches. Jiangsu dishes lay stress on the original taste with proper sweetness
and salty. They consist of Yangzhou, Suzhou and Nanking branches. Chekiang
dishes are both delicious and sweet smelling, both soft and slide, clean and
not greasy. They consist of Hangzhou, Ningbo and Shaoxing branches. Guangdong
dishes have Guangzhou, Chaozhou and Dongjiang three styles of dishes. They are
good at choice seafood and pay more attention to the cooking skills. They act
carefully at light food with tender and slide taste, from which they earn the
praise of "It has a best taste in only in Guangzhou." Hunan dishes consist of
Xiangjian, Dongting Lake and Xiangxi coteau three local dishes. Their tastes lay
stress on thick, arid and peppery food, mostly using seasoning like hot peppery,
shallot and capsicum. Mingzhou, Fuzhou Ximen and Quanzhou dishes are the
representatives of Fujian dishes. They use choice seafood as the main material
with elaborately cooks beautiful color and delicious taste of oil. They are
good at frying, gliding, decocting and pay attention to the dishes' sweetness,
salty, and the appearance. The most distinct features are their "pickled taste".
Anhui dishes pay more attention to the taste, color of dishes and the
temperature to cook them. They are expert in cooking delicacies from mountains
and sea. In addition to the eight major dishes, there are Beijing dishes,
Shanghai dishes, Hubei dishes, Liangning dishes, Henan dishes which also enjoy
great reputation. What's more, the steamed dishes and vegetable dishes have
their own charms. Actually, Chinese dishes have earned world's fame. The
Chinese eateries could be found everywhere throughout the world. Many foreigners
regard having a Chinese meal as a high honor.