My ex was a proud guy from chaoshan and claimed that Cantonese food is very simple and plain because there was plentiful food was available as Guangdong is very rich and so they didn't need to season the food to make it taste good as it already was of high quality. Basically his theory is only poor people use spices in their food to make it more palatable.
I read that Sichuan cuisine has lots of spices to counteract the humid weather and cold. But this is not true for India Mexico etc.
Does this have any real historical significance as there is also the stereotype that Cantonese people eat a lot of weird things which would be due to the lack of "edible" food?
What are your thoughts? Are there any other interesting historical influences on the cuisines within China?
Recently I saw a post where a guy who worked as a chef in a high end Chinese restaurant was mocked by his SIL, who is a chef trained in French cooking. She said something to the effect of "all you cook is kung pao chicken."
I was livid reading it. My wife is originally from mainland China and I've had the opportunity to travel there many times, and to different regions/cities within China. Chinese cuisine is one of the most diverse cuisines in the world. Some of the best food I've ever eaten in my life was in China (and some of the most challenging, ngl), and some of the cooking techniques can be very complex. I had one of the best bowls of noodles in my life at a steamy back alley noodle shop at 2 am after going to the bar (for about $2 CDN), and we've also been to 5 star restaurants that celebrate and elevate regional specialties.
It may simply be because a lot of Chinese restaurants in smaller North American communities (or even cities) tend to cook for western palates and don't serve more traditional dishes like what they might cook for themselves at home, but I hope this changes because there is a world of food out there that would knock your socks off.
I've spent the majority of my life in a large western Canadian city known for having a large Chinese population and I thought I knew a thing or two about Chinese cuisine until I traveled there and realized that it only scratched the surface.
Sure, French, Italian and other European cuisines are amazing, no knock against them, but they are typically what comes to a lot of people's minds when they think of high-end dining. Chinese cuisine is so much more than sweet and sour pork or broccoli beef, and has every right to be as highly regarded as some European cuisines.
Also "nose to tail" cooking โ so many western restaurants pat themselves on the back for making use of every part of an animal. Meanwhile the Chinese (and other Asian countries) have been doing this for centuries.
Maybe I'm preaching to the choir on this thread, but I think Chinese cooking has every right to be up there with European cuisine.
EDIT: It appears that I am very much preaching to the choir here. Still, I stand by my love for Chinese cuisine and hope that food lovers everywhere are able to experience the amazing flavours that are less well-known outside of China.
I am interested in learning more about Chinese cuisine history and how it came to be in the different regions over the last thousand or so years.
I have already checked out 'The Fortune Cookie Chronicles' that talks about the Americanization of Chinese cuisine.
Also, I have read books like 'The Story of Sushi' and it gave a great history of that particular Japanese cuisine. Maybe something like that?
For example, I just want to learn more about why Sichuan is Sichuan and why it is different from Hunan, for example. I'm open to a series of books that go over the different regions/styles individually if that is easier.
If possible, Kindle books are preferred.
Finally, I am less interested in the actual recipes, but that is great for reference too.
Sorry for all the requirements! Any help or pointers is appreciated.
Also suggest some famous momos center
Hi! Not sure if anyone can help me with this, but I am looking to get into authentic Chinese cooking. This probably goes without saying, but I am not Chinese by heritage or nationality. I have only had authentic Chinese food when it was prepared for me by friends Iโve known throughout the years who were from China. I like a good kung pao as much as the next guy, but I havenโt been able to find anything resembling what my friends have made for me at any restaurant in the United States. The flavors blew me away, but Iโm not super familiar with the taste palette and frankly donโt know where to begin.
My Google searches are pulling up a lot of โskinnyโ and โkid-friendlyโ recipes for beef with broccoli and lo mein, and not a lot of stuff even remotely along the lines of what Iโm trying to replicate. Iโm not necessarily even trying to make any specific dishes; I really just want to be punched in the face with heat and flavor again. Iโm also not sure which region Iโm necessarily pulling from (if it helps, one of my friends was from near Hong Kong and the other was from an island off the coast of Shanghai), or what Iโm even looking for. I really just need some basic direction because I am a sucker for spicy and rich food and I am willing to be inconvenienced in many ways if it means I can have it in my life.
Any English-language (or German-language, if necessary) resources or chefs/channels/food bloggers I should follow? I live in a major city and do have access to what seem like pretty good Asian grocery stores, although Iโm admittedly not the best judge of that. Translated or recipes in grams/metric are more than fine. Any help I can get is deeply appreciated. Thanks!
Edit: so many good ideas! Thank you all so much!!
I heard that Asian foods are for the fibers, vitamins, antioxidants, proteins, lack of meats and dairies. But I also know a lot of Asian food has those things in there like curry's, a lot of Asian and Japanese foods, I know Thai foods are centered more around vegetables and plants. I don't know which cuisine is the healthiest tho, if it even is an Asian cuisine. So does anyone know lol? This should be a good conversation
Hello,
I am somewhat new to Reddit and have been lurking on this sub for a little while. Thought it was time to ask a question!
My husband is really craving Chinese food tonight, and I would love to get some without blowing my points for the day. For the day, I have 12 left.
What meals do you get at Chinese food places that are low in points but still filling?
Any and all suggestions are welcome! Thanks everyone!
Title kinda says it all. What should I make? Itโs a large steamer basket. Dumplings? Fish? Tofu? Veggies? Noodskies?
I heard that Asian foods are for the fibers, vitamins, antioxidants, proteins, lack of meats and dairies. But I also know a lot of Asian food has those things in there like curry's, a lot of Asian and Japanese foods, I know Thai foods are centered more around vegetables and plants. I don't know which cuisine is the healthiest tho, if it even is an Asian cuisine. So does anyone know lol? This should be a good conversation
I heard that Asian foods are for the fibers, vitamins, antioxidants, proteins, lack of meats and dairies. But I also know a lot of Asian food has those things in there like curry's, a lot of Asian and Japanese foods, I know Thai foods are centered more around vegetables and plants. I don't know which cuisine is the healthiest tho, if it even is an Asian cuisine. So does anyone know lol? This should be a good conversation
