20 Expats' Favourite Chinese Dishes
Audio material included below.
If you’re living in China, or just in China at all it’s a certainty that you’ll be eating a ton of Chinese food. Heck, in some cities, you might be stuck with ONLY Chinese food from a particular region (depending on how urban you go!). So rather than the “close your eyes and point” strategy, it’ll be a good idea to have a few ChinaSquat-approved favorite chinese dishes at the ready so you don’t wind up with an assortment of organs simmering in a duckblood stew (which isn’t all that bad!).
We’ve talked to a TON of living in China, and now have a definitive list of the most mouth-watering, most favorite chinese dishes available in one of the most delicious cuisines on the planet.
1. Kung Pow Chicken (gōng bǎo jī dīng ) 宫保鸡丁
Ohhhhh the Kung Pow. The Classic Chinese Dish, right?. This one won’t certainly win you any points for originality from your Chinese friends, but (peanut allergies aside) what can go wrong with a dish of lightly spiced peanuts and chicken pieces. Not to be confused with là zǐ jī (辣子鸡) which is a fried and boney brother to the Kung Pow. We put this at the top even though it wasn't the favorite Chinese dish of most expats, but it was the most consistent dish named.
2. Steamed Buns（bāo zǐ） 包子
You just landed in China, don’t speak a lick of Chinese, and have no idea what the hell is going on. No, not because of the mob of grandparents that spontaneously materialized in front of a BOGO deal on cooking oil, but the fact that apparently no one in this country eats breakfast. Enter Bāo zǐ. Agreed upon by expats in China as the most acceptable breakfast supplement, these meat and veggie filled steamed buns (while not neccesarily the most popular item) are most definitely on the list of most essential foods. You’re pretty much guarunteed to find bāo zǐ stands outside of large apartment buildings and office buildings on your morning commute. Try topping that sucker off with some Texas Pete (found at your local Carrefour if you’re living in a city) for added flavor.
3. Stir-Fried Green Beans (gàn biān sì jì dòu ) 干煸四季豆
Sometimes simplicity is key, and with gàn biān sì jì dòu , this is certainly the case. It’s stir-fried green beans, and although the amount of oil added quickly takes away the illusion of eating healthy, it definitely beats a double cheeseburger from your neighborhood Mc D’s. It’s traditionally Sichuan styled, but you can find this dish in a variety of restaurants.
4. Mapo Tofu (má pó dòu fu )麻婆豆腐
Vegetarians rejoice! There’s actually a dish you can eat in China! If you can take the spice, then you’ll enjoy this Sichuanese tofu classic! Make sure to get it with rice, because this one really is sawwwwcy,
(Also, you should really check to make sure they don’t add meat, because sometimes they’ll sneak it in there. Click the upper right button to "View Official Account ", follow Ringy and speak to one of the interpreters to be sure your order is correct.)
5. Squirrel Fish (sōng shǔ yú ) 松鼠鱼
Being from the south, the idea of mixing my two favorite dishes into one combo masterpiece got my mouth watering the very instant I heard this dish translated into English. But not-so-fast… there’s no squirrel in this sweet and sour delicacy. However, this fish is just as tendor as it’s bushy-tailed inpersonator. (also, if you really think southerners eat squirels then then shame on you) Make sure to get this if you’re in the Suzhou/Shanghai/Ningbo/Nanjing part of the country.
6. Double Cooked Pork (huí guō ròu ) 回锅肉
So it’s kinda like bacon, but with more fat. Get it, it’s awesome (especially when cooked with Lao Gan Ma sause!).
7. Dumplings (jiǎo zi) 饺子
Not having dumplings on our list would be a clear sign of negligence on our part. If you’re in the north east, this is a staple, if you’re in the south, find a northeaster (东北) restaurant and make it a staple. The perfect dish to share with friends.
8. Sweet and Sour Pork (gū lū ròu ) 咕噜肉
This is the second dish on the list where we really feel like we aren’t doing you any favors in terms of cultural assimilation. Yes, it tastes just like the China Wok around the corner from your house, and yes, it’s a guilty pleasure for pretty much every expats in China. Can’t think of anything better to eat? Just go with the Gu Lu.
9. Chinese Hamburgers (ròu jiá mó ) 肉夹馍
First of all, do me a favor and never actually call this a Chinese Hamburger. Second of all, order this the instant you are in a Northwestern (西北) city or restaurant. You really can’t go wrong with the timeless combination of bread and meat. The only suprise here is that the Chinese haven’t somehow used this dish as proof that THEY in fact invented the hamburger.
10. Eggs and Tomato (xī hóng shì chǎo dàn ) 西红柿炒蛋
Honestly, I only think this made the list because you all are worthless and lazy food orderers. Seriously? It’s tomoates mixed with scrambled eggs and you’re taking the effort to walk to a restaurant and pay someone money to make this for you. I was tempted to just move this down the list by my sheer distaste for your decision. Whatever, order it, I hate you all.
11. Guō Bāo Ròu 锅包肉
In one of those “screw it I’ll just go to KFC” moods? NOPE, just hop into your local northeastern restaurant and order up one of these fried chicken masterpieces. It’s also topped with a sweet & vinegary sauce for more taste.
12. Beijing Roast Duck (běi jīng kǎo yā ) 北京烤鸭
Sometimes called Peking Roast Duck, but somehow the name “Peking” just comes off as both ignorant and dated to me. It’s (obviously) best in Beijing but you can find some of the famous Beijing chains located in all corners of China.
13. Stir-fried Greenbeans and Eggplant (qié zǐ dòu jiǎo ) 茄子豆角
This is probably only the 4th veggie dish we’ve gotten to on the list, which frankly isn’t surprising as it’s not all that easy to be a veggetarian in China. It’s also suspiciously similar to 干煸四季豆 (#3) so I guess we Laowai aren’t quite as original and creative as we like to think…
14. Fish-Flavored Pork Sliced (yú xiāng ròu sī ) 鱼香肉丝
It’s probably more accurate to call this “Garlic Flavored Pork Slices” but using the exact Chinese translation always gets a good reaction. It’s got a lot of flavor, and you’re bound to find it at most of the generic Chinese restauarants you visit.
15. Hand-Pulled Noodles (lā miàn ) 拉面
More of a category than actual dish, but these restaurants (especially in the northwest) serve up some spectacularly tasty fresh handmade noodles.
16. Garlic Flavored Potatoes, Eggplants, and Green Peppers (dì sān xiān) 地三鲜
So you can pretty much get the description right there in the name. Again, a pretty safe bet, and a very common dish in the northeast.
17. Dan Dan Noodles (dān dān miàn ) 担担面
A simple and delicate treat, brought to you by the good people of Sichuan province. Dan Dan Noodles are pretty much only found at Sichuan restaurants, but when you do see it on the menu you should definitely give it a shot. Ar around 8-15RMB they’re one of the best bang-for-your-buck options in all of China.
18. Glorious Plate of Chicken (dà pán jī ) 大盘鸡
It actually translates as “Big Plate of Chicken” but glorious is a better way to desribe this staple of northwestern noodle spots. Just don’t order this one by yourself, because it really is a big plate…
19. Pork in Hot Chili Oil (shuǐ zhǔ ròu piàn ) 水煮肉片
This one might be the spiciest option of the 20 on this list, and the slower you eat it the spicier it gets. When you order this you’ll certainly need to clarify 2 things to your fú wù yuán (server). 1) Yes, I can eat spicy food. 2) No, I didn’t say shuǐ zhǔ yú (fish), yes, that’s right, I didn’t say fish, please give me the one with pork (or beef!).
Fish in Hot Chili Oil (shuǐ zhǔ yú) 水煮鱼 is a huge pleaser in a Chinese crowd, but the fact that it comes complete with fish guts and a million tiny fish bones usually causes us foreigners to stick with the pork and beef versions. Or you can click the upper right button to "View Official Account ", follow Ringy and speak to one of the interpreters to be sure your order is correct.
20. Hot Pot (huǒ guō ) 火锅
The typicaly Chinese person would be furious that this didn’t land in the top 5, and some of you China experts out there were probably wondering when this one would show up. It looks like expats have been taken out to eat hot pot by their students and friends enough times to the point of no longer appreciating this classic. Hot pot is, however, a great experience, and one that you’re sure to have many numerous chances at while you’re here.
Any dishes we missed? I’m sure there are. If you think we f—d up big time and left out your favorite make sure to inform the masses by leaving it in the comments below!
（Tips: Click 写留言 at the buttom right hand of this article to leave us your comment）
Wanna explore Chinese restaurants but have trouble ordering? Click the upper right button to "View Official Account ", follow Ringy and speak to one of the interpreters for understanding the menu.
For some of you that are eager to learn to pronounce the dishes--Swan has you covered! Check the audio material and get cracking by ordering your favourite dishes in Chinese!
1. Kung Pow Chicken (gōng bǎo jī dīng ) 宫保鸡丁
2. Steamed Buns（bāo zǐ） 包子
3. Stir-Fried Green Beans (gàn biān sì jì dòu ) 干煸四季豆
4. Mapo Tofu (má pó dòu fu )麻婆豆腐
5. Squirrel Fish (sōng shǔ yú ) 松鼠鱼
6. Double Cooked Pork (huí guō ròu ) 回锅肉
7. Dumplings (jiǎo zi) 饺子
8. Sweet and Sour Pork (gū lū ròu ) 咕噜肉
9. Chinese Hamburgers (ròu jiá mó ) 肉夹馍
10. Eggs and Tomato (xī hóng shì chǎo dàn ) 西红柿炒蛋
11. Guō Bāo Ròu 锅包肉
12. Beijing Roast Duck (běi jīng kǎo yā ) 北京烤鸭
13. Stir-fried Greenbeans and Eggplant (qié zǐ dòu jiǎo ) 茄子豆角
14. Fish-Flavored Pork Sliced (yú xiāng ròu sī ) 鱼香肉丝
15. Hand-Pulled Noodles (lā miàn ) 拉面
16. Garlic Flavored Potatoes, Eggplants, and Green Peppers (dì sān xiān) 地三鲜
17. Dan Dan Noodles (dān dān miàn ) 担担面
18. Glorious Plate of Chicken (dà pán jī ) 大盘鸡
19. Pork in Hot Chili Oil (shuǐ zhǔ ròu piàn ) 水煮肉片
20. Hot Pot (huǒ guō ) 火锅
About our guest writer Glen Cornell－ he lived in China for 5 years working as an English Teacher, TEFL Trainer, and Account Manager for a manufacturing company. He now lives in Cambridge, MA and works for HubSpot. As Ringy's guest writer, he will bring us continuous exciting contents about life in China.
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