There are few cuisines as adored all around the world as Chinese, particularly in the UK. Chinese cuisine is one of the oldest and most diversified cuisines and it can be a fascinating process to learn about the history of Chinese cooking as well as how you make classic Chinese dishes at home. Read on to find out more about Chinese cuisine.

History & Eating Customs

China has a fascinating history when it comes to food with different regions having their own traditions and dishes. There are 8 cuisines in China; Sichuan, Shandong, Cantonese, Fujian, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hunan and Anhui. During the Eastern Zhou period (770-255 BC) cuisine was either northern or southern with the Tang and Song dynasties developing with Shandong, Su cuisine, Cantonese and Sichuan becoming influential. At the end of the Qing dynasty, another four types of cuisine emerged to create the 8 different types.

Cooking Equipment

When it comes to cooking Chinese dishes, the single most important item to have is a good wok. Woks are deep, round-bottomed cooking pots that distribute heat evenly and are easy to move around, so they are perfect for cooking dishes like stir fry. You will also want a wok lid for steaming and boiling and a metal wok spatula. Interestingly, you will find that many people in China use a rice cooker and this can save a lot of hassle and ensure that you get perfect, fluffy rice each time.

Ingredients

In terms of ingredients for your pantry, you will want to stock up on rice and noodles. There are a lot of condiments in Chinese cooking, including soy sauce, sesame oil, Shaoxing wine and oyster sauce. Chinese cooking can involve all kinds of different types and cuts of meat along with many vegetables, including garlic, ginger, scallions, spring onions, bok choy and cucumber.

Chinese Tableware

You will find that Chinese table etiquette and the type of tableware used can vary between regions and this can make it daunting. Generally, there is a teacup for serving water or tea, glasses for wine/liquor, a soup spoon, rice bowl, sauce bowl, plate, washcloth, long spoon and chopsticks. You can find complete sets that will provide you with everything you need for an authentic Chinese meal at home.

This post should be educational and will hopefully encourage you to start making your own Chinese food at home. There is a reason why Chinese food is adored all over the world and there are many great dishes that you can easily make at home yourself to enjoy. Plus it can be a good way to teach your child to respect other cultures beginning with a love of the food.