Essential Chinese Food Terminology for Seamless Dining141

Chinese cuisine is a culinary masterpiece, renowned worldwide for its delectable flavors and diverse regional styles. Navigating the vast array of dishes and ingredients can be daunting for non-Chinese speakers, but with this comprehensive guide to常用中国美食英文表达 (Common Chinese Food Terms in English), you'll be able to order like a local and savor every bite of your dining experience.

Appetizers (开胃菜 - Kāi Wèi Cài)*

Spring Rolls (春卷 - Chūn Juǎn): Crispy, cylindrical pastries filled with vegetables, meat, or seafood*

Wontons (馄饨 - Hún Tún): Dumplings made with thin, square dough wrappers and filled with meat, seafood, or vegetables*

Dumplings (饺子 - Jiǎo Zi): Small, crescent-shaped pockets filled with a variety of fillings*

Fried Squid (炸鱿鱼 - Zhá Yóu Yú): Crispy, deep-fried squid rings or tentacles*

Marinated Cucumber Salad (拍黄瓜 - Pāi Huáng Guā): Refreshing salad with sliced cucumbers marinated in garlic, vinegar, and chili oil

Entrées (主菜 - Zhǔ Cài)*

Peking Duck (北京烤鸭 - Běi Jīng Kǎo Yā): Roasted duck renowned for its crispy skin and tender, juicy meat*

Kung Pao Chicken (宫保鸡丁 - Gōng Bǎo Jī Dīng): Stir-fried chicken with peanuts, chili peppers, and vegetables*

Mapo Tofu (麻婆豆腐 - Má Pó Dòu Fǔ): Szechuan dish featuring soft tofu in a spicy, flavorful sauce*

Steamed Fish (清蒸鱼 - Qīng Zhēng Yú): Fish steamed with ginger, scallions, and soy sauce*

Wonton Soup (馄饨汤 - Hún Tún Tāng): Broth-based soup with wonton dumplings

Side Dishes (配菜 - Pèi Cài)*

Fried Rice (炒饭 - Chǎo Fàn): Wok-fried rice with vegetables, meat, or seafood*

Steamed Vegetables (清蒸蔬菜 - Qīng Zhēng Shū Cài): Vegetables steamed with a touch of oil and salt*

Stir-Fried Greens (炒青菜 - Chǎo Qīng Cài): Wok-fried leafy greens with a flavorful sauce*

Eggplant with Garlic Sauce (鱼香茄子 - Yú Xiāng Qié Zi): Eggplant stir-fried in a sweet and savory garlic sauce*

Spicy Potato Slices (辣子鸡 - Là Zi Jī): Crispy potato slices coated in a spicy sauce

Noodles (面条 - Miàn Tiáo)*

Beef Noodle Soup (牛肉面 - Niú Ròu Miàn): Noodle soup with savory beef broth and tender beef slices*

Dan Dan Noodles (担担面 - Dàn Dàn Miàn): Noodles tossed in a spicy, peanut-based sauce*

Wonton Noodles (馄饨面 - Hún Tún Miàn): Noodles served in a broth with wonton dumplings*

Stir-Fried Noodles (炒面 - Chǎo Miàn): Noodles stir-fried with vegetables, meat, or seafood*

Soup Noodles (汤面 - Tāng Miàn): Noodles served in a flavorful broth

Desserts (甜点 - Tián Diǎn)*

Glutinous Rice Balls (汤圆 - Tāng Yuán): Sweet rice balls with a chewy texture and various fillings*

Mooncakes (月饼 - Yuè Bǐng): Round pastries with thick crusts and sweet, dense fillings*

Sweet Bean Paste (豆沙 - Dòu Shā): Red bean paste used as a filling for desserts*

Steamed Sponge Cake (发糕 - Fā Gāo): Light and fluffy steamed cake*

Mango Pudding (芒果布丁 - Máng Guō Bù Dìng): Creamy pudding made with fresh mango

Sauces and Condiments (酱料 - Jiàng Liào)*

Soy Sauce (酱油 - Jiàng Yóu): Fermented sauce made from soybeans*

Hoisin Sauce (海鲜酱 - Hǎi Xiān Jiàng): Thick, sweet sauce made from fermented soybeans*

Chili Oil (辣椒油 - Lā Jiāo Yóu): Spicy oil with chili flakes*

Sesame Oil (芝麻油 - Zhī Ma Yóu): Nutty oil made from toasted sesame seeds*

Vinegar (醋 - Cù): Acidic liquid made from fermented rice or wine

2024-11-11

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