Where to Eat: 7 Authentic Chinese Dishes That Will Wow Your Tastebuds

Written in many history books are the rich culture, mesmerizing architecture of heritage sites, and enlightening philosophies birthed in the country that is China. Through the years, this nation has definitely made a name for itself globally and has been looked upon by various countries.

Aside from their vibrant practices, there’s one more thing that people all over the world adore about China — its flavorful food. Chinese cuisine has stepped foot in different countries and has won everyone’s hearts.

Can’t stop thinking of this popular cuisine? Then, you’re in the right place as we’re here to round up 7 traditional dishes that will satisfy your cravings for Chinese eats.

Get your chopsticks ready because you’re about to have a Chinese food feast!

Start your meal with a variety of dim sum selections

As one of the most adored types of Chinese food in every part of the world, dim sum features a wide selection of small dishes. This includes, but is not limited to, steamed and fried dumplings, stuffed buns, and rice noodle rolls.

Back in the day, people native to Guangzhou made it a habit to drink tea regularly, and soon enough, most of them established teahouses and hosted tea parties with their loved ones and community.

For them, the quintessential pair to a relaxing cup of tea is a selection of dim sum. Since this Guangzhou practice, more and more palates have savored the heavenly flavors of these small bites.

To satiate your appetite for some classic dim sum, we suggest that you go to Modern Shanghai, especially with the numerous small dish options that they have. Trust us, you can never go wrong with their Premium Steamed Shrimp & Pork Shumai (Siu Mai) made of juicy ground pork and real bite-sized shrimp pieces. On top of that, the meat is seasoned well, not too salty for the shumai to be dipped in soy sauce or chili oil for added flavor.

Share a plate of sweet and sour pork with your entire family

More often than not, a classic sweet and sour pork dish is an all-time favorite for the young ones and the young at heart. Its taste is quite obvious by its name, having a sugary yet tangy flavor that works better than most other taste pairings. Coated in this ultimate sauce are pork tenderloin, sliced bell pepper, and chunks of onion and pineapples.

With the worldwide popularity that it has garnered over the years, this Chinese dish has been made versatile by making use of chicken strips or seafood to appeal to everyone’s liking.

Out for a Sunday lunch with your family? Try out Hap Chan and their Sweet & Sour Pork, with diced pork deep fried to the crisp perfection for everyone to enjoy. The sauce is also to die for as the balance of acidity and sugar will make you go for another cup of rice. On top of that, the pineapple bits contribute well to the candied taste of the entire dish.

Fill your tummy with tender roast duck

Roast duck — need we say more? This irresistible dish came from the southern part of China and has been known for its affordability and delectable taste. Seasoned with the traditional Chinese 5-spice powder, roast duck is typically hung in front of numerous Cantonese restaurants and establishments.

This authentic dish is widely loved primarily because of its thin yet crispy skin. Layered beneath it is a portion of juicy fat and lean meat. Before it gets served to customers, hot oil is poured over the precious roast duck for its skin to tighten up and its aroma to be brought out even more.

Don’t let a day go by where you don’t pay close attention to your roast duck cravings, so make your way to Kam’s Roast today and order an entire Roast Duck for you and your buddies. What’s amazing about this dish is that the skin is extremely crunchy while the duck meat is tender. The meat is not overly seasoned as well, so you may add any of your preferred seasonings or condiments.

Get a hint of spiciness from Mapo Tofu

Hailing from the land of Sichuan Province, Mapo Tofu is a traditional Chinese dish that stars nothing else but tofu. Typically mixed with ground meat, this is a superb pair with piping hot rice and can either be served as a main or side dish.

Exuding the smooth mapo flavor, this gives off a hint of spiciness that even lingers and dwells on your tongue. The fondness that people have for mapo tofu has even extended to the point that they maximize the mapo flavor in other different mains such as noodles.

If you’re drooling over mapo tofu right now, this is your sign to head to Lugang Café. Their Mapo Tofu has strong and bold Szechuan flavors with a hint of sweetness to it for a balanced dish. Whether you’re a fan of spicy food or not, this one’s for you as it contains a kick of heat that you can definitely take (and want more of).

Cozy up with a warm bowl of congee

Whenever we’re feeling a bit under the weather, we already know what our parents are cooking up for us: a hearty bowl of congee or lugaw as we Filipinos would like to call it. As simple as it sounds, this Chinese rice porridge is made with merely water and rice boiled until it’s smooth enough to melt in your mouth.

To add more flavor to the plain congee, toppings such as century egg, fried wonton strips, chicken bits, nuts, and more may be placed depending on what suits your palate. The plus side to this classic Chinese dish is that you can certainly eat it any time of the day — may it be a pick me up to get you out of bed, a filling meal during your lunch break, a snack to get you through your tasks, or a great way to finish your day.

If you’re in the mood for some Chinese rice porridge, we highly recommend North Park’s Shredded Pork with Century Egg & Szechuan Vegetable Congee. It’s loaded with a variety of toppings that complement the good old congee. The wonton chips and vegetables add extra texture, while the pork and century egg slices take the flavors to the next level.

Pair your savory dishes with delicious fried rice

Even in China, rice is an essential part of every meal. Although the exact origins of this dish hasn’t been traced, this has been a classic staple for people within and beyond the borders of China. The versatility of this dish is remarkable as everyone can make it unique and special by stir-frying a handful of ingredients or leftovers with day-old white rice.

With this, you can definitely elevate your meal in an instant.

Speaking of traditional Chinese cuisine, the Yang Chow Fried Rice from Mann Hann will get your jaws dropping, especially as it is jam-packed with lots of toppings such as fried egg strips, meat bits, and green onion. Since this dish is seasoned lightly, it’s an excellent match for literally all the other dishes on the table.

Cap your heavy meal off with sesame balls

What’s a meal without any dessert? One of their well-loved desserts includes the classic sesame balls. Referred to as buchi here in the Philippines, this sticky rice snack is packed with different gooey sweet fillings like red bean, black sesame, and peanut paste. For a more addictive finish, these deep-fried dessert balls are then rolled in toasted sesame seeds.

Head over to a Din Tai Fung branch today to get your hands on their chewy Black Lava Buchi. Although widely cherished for their Xiao Long Bao, this place serves buchi like no other —  lavishly stuffing each piece with rich black sesame paste. Even with that, the amount of filling is not overpowering as you’ll surely taste the subtle yet perfect hint of sweetness it gives.

Of course, eating good food (even in general) is much better when we get to snap them up at the lowest price possible, so keep your eyes peeled for the incredible promo codes and vouchers that SM Deals is here to lay out. These discounts will surely put a smile on your face, tummy, and wallet as you pay less for quality food. Also, make sure to download the SM Malls Online app for all your other must-haves such as trendy outfits, home accessories, and the latest gadgets.