Bless Her Heart

More than 900 years ago, dining out was something only done by people traveling in distant lands, such as making the journey to and from China to purchase silk and spices. 

China was the first country to develop a network of food vendors and dining establishments. These venues provided sustenance for people traveling throughout the various regions of China. 

Eventually specific dishes became associated with each specific region.  

This is why Chinese food has such names as Hunan, Sichuan and Cantonese. 

Just like foods in the United States can differ according to what section of the country you are in, so can Chinese food. 

So let’s look at a few Chinese regional cuisines that developed in earlier days and explore how they are different from each other…

Anhui: Known for the use of fresh bamboo, mushrooms and a wide variety of local herbs and vegetables…such as these recipes for dim sum. 

Fujian: Known for the use of woodland delicacies such as bamboo shoots and edible mushrooms…broths and soups such as this Fujian Fried Rice. 

Hainan: Known for lighter foods that are less oily, and more mildly seasoned than typical Chinese food…use of locally-sourced prawn, crab freshwater fish and ocean fish…recipes such as this one for Hainanese Chicken Rice. 

Hunan: Known for its hot spicy flavor, fresh aroma and deep color…pickles…like this recipe for Authentic Hunan Beef.. 

Jiangsu: Known for Jinling salted dried duck, clear crab shell meatballs, crystal meat and Yangzhou steamed jerky strips…for example, these Lion’s Head Meatballs..  

Hainan: Known for lighter foods that are less oily, and more mildly seasoned than typical Chinese food…use of locally-sourced prawn, crab freshwater fish and ocean fish…recipes such as this one for Hainanese Chicken Rice. 

Hunan: Known for its hot spicy flavor, fresh aroma and deep color…pickles…like this recipe for Authentic Hunan Beef.. 

Shandong: Known for braised abalone, braised pork intestines, Dezhou chicken, fried sea cucumbers, sweet and sour carp…foods such as this Chinese Braised Chicken (卤鸡) – China Sichuan Food. 

Sichuan: Known for bold flavors…liberal use of chili peppers, garlic, ginger, peanuts, sesame paste, and Sichuan peppercorns…more familiar foods to most Americans perhaps, such as this recipe for Kung Pao Chicken.