Chinese food is loved around the world for its bold flavors, variety, and the balance of textures. With such a diverse cuisine, it can be hard to decide what to order. From savory stir-fries to hearty soups, there is something for everyone. This guide will help you explore some of the most popular and delicious Chinese dishes to order, whether you’re dining in a restaurant or ordering takeout.
1. Sweet and Sour Chicken
Sweet and Sour Chicken is a well-known Chinese dish that offers a perfect balance of flavors. It features crispy fried chicken pieces coated in a tangy, sweet sauce made from vinegar, sugar, and ketchup. The dish is often served with bell peppers, onions, and pineapple, making it a colorful and flavorful option. Sweet and Sour Chicken is a great choice for those who enjoy a mix of sweet and tangy flavors in their meals.
2. Kung Pao Chicken
Kung Pao Chicken is a popular dish from Sichuan cuisine, known for its spicy and savory flavors. The dish is made with diced chicken, peanuts, and vegetables, all stir-fried in a savory sauce made from soy sauce, vinegar, and chili peppers. It’s also flavored with garlic, ginger, and sometimes hoisin sauce. This dish has a rich, complex flavor profile and is perfect for those who love a bit of heat and crunch in their meals.
3. General Tso’s Chicken
General Tso’s Chicken is one of the most famous Chinese-American dishes. It features tender chicken chunks that are deep-fried and coated in a sweet, spicy sauce made from soy sauce, sugar, and garlic. The dish is often garnished with green onions and dried chili peppers. It has a crispy texture on the outside and is tender on the inside, making it a favorite for those who enjoy a rich, sweet, and spicy flavor.
4. Chow Mein
Chow Mein is a classic Chinese stir-fry dish made with noodles, vegetables, and your choice of meat. The dish is cooked in a wok and is often seasoned with soy sauce and sesame oil. The noodles are stir-fried until they are crispy, and the vegetables add freshness and crunch. Popular meat choices for Chow Mein include chicken, beef, shrimp, or pork. This dish is perfect for those who want a satisfying, filling meal that is both savory and a little bit sweet.
5. Mapo Tofu
Mapo Tofu is a dish from Sichuan cuisine that is famous for its bold flavors and spicy heat. It features soft tofu cooked in a rich sauce made from fermented bean paste, chili bean paste, garlic, ginger, and Sichuan peppercorns. The dish is typically served with minced pork or beef, adding a meaty flavor that complements the tofu. Mapo Tofu is a great choice for those who love spicy, aromatic, and flavorful dishes that are packed with heat and depth.
6. Peking Duck
Peking Duck is a luxurious and iconic Chinese dish known for its crispy skin and tender meat. The duck is roasted to perfection, with a golden, crispy exterior and juicy, flavorful interior. It is typically served with thin pancakes, hoisin sauce, and sliced scallions. The idea is to wrap the duck in the pancake, add some sauce and vegetables, and enjoy. Peking Duck is a great choice if you’re looking for a special dish that is both delicious and visually impressive.
7. Dim Sum
Dim Sum refers to a variety of bite-sized dishes served in small steamer baskets or on small plates. It’s traditionally eaten during brunch or lunch and is a popular choice for sharing. Dim Sum includes items like dumplings, buns, spring rolls, and steamed vegetables. Some popular dim sum dishes include Shrimp Dumplings (Har Gow), Pork Buns (Char Siu Bao), and Siu Mai (pork and shrimp dumplings). Dim Sum is a great option for those who want to try a variety of flavors and textures in one meal.
8. Hot and Sour Soup
Hot and Sour Soup is a flavorful and comforting Chinese soup that is known for its spicy and tangy taste. It is made with a combination of mushrooms, tofu, bamboo shoots, and sometimes pork or chicken. The soup is seasoned with soy sauce, vinegar, chili paste, and black pepper, giving it a perfect balance of heat and sourness. Hot and Sour Soup is ideal for those who enjoy bold, flavorful broths with a touch of spice.
9. Egg Foo Young
Egg Foo Young is a Chinese omelet dish that is made by combining eggs with vegetables, meat, or seafood, and then frying them in a pan. It’s often served with a savory brown gravy on top. The dish can include ingredients like mushrooms, bean sprouts, onions, and peas, and can be made with chicken, pork, shrimp, or beef. Egg Foo Young is a great choice for those who want a hearty, comforting dish that feels like a Chinese version of an omelet.
10. Beef with Broccoli
Beef with Broccoli is a simple yet delicious Chinese stir-fry dish. The dish consists of thinly sliced beef cooked with fresh broccoli florets in a savory sauce made from soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sometimes a bit of sugar or cornstarch for thickening. The beef is tender, and the broccoli adds a healthy crunch. This dish is perfect for those looking for a light yet satisfying meal that is full of flavor.
11. Moo Shu Pork
Moo Shu Pork is a classic Chinese dish that features stir-fried pork, vegetables, and scrambled eggs. It is served with thin pancakes, which you use to wrap the filling along with hoisin sauce. The dish typically includes cabbage, mushrooms, and carrots, making it a balanced and flavorful option. Moo Shu Pork is a great dish for those who love to eat with their hands and enjoy a little bit of interactive fun with their meals.
12. Sichuan Peppercorn Chicken
Sichuan Peppercorn Chicken is a flavorful dish from the Sichuan province known for its bold, spicy flavors. The chicken is stir-fried with Sichuan peppercorns, which add a numbing, tingling sensation to the dish, along with dried chili peppers and other spices. This dish is ideal for those who love spicy food with a unique, mouth-tingling sensation that’s characteristic of Sichuan cuisine.
13. Wonton Soup
Wonton Soup is a comforting and popular Chinese soup made with wontons, which are dumplings filled with a mixture of pork, shrimp, or chicken. The soup is typically clear and lightly seasoned, with the wontons floating in the broth along with some vegetables. It’s a great dish for those who enjoy a light, flavorful soup and the delicate texture of dumplings.
14. Lemon Chicken
Lemon Chicken is a lighter, tangy dish that features tender pieces of chicken coated in a crispy batter, then topped with a zesty lemon sauce. The sauce is typically made with fresh lemon juice, sugar, and soy sauce, creating a bright, refreshing flavor that complements the crispy chicken. Lemon Chicken is a great choice for those who prefer a citrusy, tangy dish that isn’t too heavy.
15. Fried Rice
Fried Rice is a classic Chinese dish that is both versatile and satisfying. It is made by stir-frying cooked rice with vegetables, meat, and sometimes eggs, all seasoned with soy sauce or oyster sauce. Fried Rice is a great dish to order if you’re looking for something filling and flavorful. It can be customized to include a variety of proteins like chicken, beef, shrimp, or pork.
16. Sesame Chicken
Sesame Chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish known for its crispy chicken coated in a sweet and savory sauce made from soy sauce, honey, and sesame oil. The dish is topped with toasted sesame seeds, which add a delicious nutty flavor and crunch. Sesame Chicken is ideal for those who enjoy sweet and savory dishes with a bit of crunch.
17. Beef Chow Fun
Beef Chow Fun is a flavorful stir-fried noodle dish made with wide rice noodles, tender strips of beef, and vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and bean sprouts. The dish is stir-fried in a wok with soy sauce and a bit of oyster sauce for extra flavor. Beef Chow Fun is perfect for those who enjoy hearty, savory noodle dishes with a bit of crunch and smokiness.
18. Chinese Barbecue Pork (Char Siu)
Chinese Barbecue Pork, or Char Siu, is a flavorful dish made from pork that is marinated in a sweet and savory sauce and then roasted or grilled until it has a slightly charred, caramelized exterior. The meat is tender, juicy, and full of flavor. Char Siu is often served with rice or noodles and is a great choice for those who enjoy tender, flavorful meat.
Conclusion
Chinese cuisine offers a wide variety of dishes that cater to different tastes and preferences. Whether you’re in the mood for something sweet, savory, spicy, or comforting, there’s a dish to suit your cravings. From the crispy, sweet flavors of General Tso’s Chicken to the bold, numbing heat of Sichuan Peppercorn Chicken, each dish has its own unique appeal. Don’t be afraid to try something new the next time you order Chinese food—you might just discover your new favorite dish.
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