Abstract
This research article explores food culture in China. The author used 1 book, 9 websites to research food cultures in China. The author’s analysis show that the China has many different food cultures because China is so wide and has a long history. There are various food cultures in China. This time, we will talk about eight famous food cultures.
Introduction
In China there are many different food cultures. We know that there are various food cultures in Japan, too. However, the source of that food culture may be from Chinese food culture. Because China knows epoch-making cooking method and seasoning. Therefore, we would like everyone to know about seasoning and food culture in China. What kind of food culture does China have?
Literature review
There are eight famous food cultures in China. They are roughly divided into four groups. Number 1 group is fish and salt with lot of seafood. Shandong cuisine belongs to this group. Number 2 group is hot spice. Sichuan and Hunan cuisines belong to this group. Number 3 group is great seafood, and game rally sweet and light flavors. Guangdong, Zhejiang, Jiangsu belong to these cuisines. Number 4 group includes wild foods from their mountains. Anhui and Fujian belong to this group. According to the article “The 8 Great Cuisines. of China Although divided into four groups” in China highlight 2020, each food culture has its own characteristics.
Guangdong Cuisine is the Southeastern food culture of China. This culture is sweeter and favoring braising, stewing. Why was this food culture created? That was because Guangdong is located near the sea. So, Guangdong has great sea food culture.
Cantonese cuisine has another characteristic. Guangdong cuisine is we value the original taste of the ingredients. However, Cantonese cuisine uses a variety of sauces. For the same reason that soy sauce is used to make the sashimi even more delicious. According to the article “Cantonese Cuisine-the most Popular Chinese Food Abroad” in China highlight 2020. That is very famous Chinese food culture. Do you know Chasyu? Do you know the Shark fin soup? This is a Guangdong Cuisine too.
Shandong Cuisine is from northern east-coast of China. This culture is salty and crispy, favoring braising and sea food. Northern east-coast China is near the sea. Preserving cut, color and taste is important point Shandong Cuisine. Shandong Cuisine famous food is peaking duck. Shandong cuisine is the food culture of the northeastern coast of China — Qingdao, Jinan, Qufu, Taishan. Shandong cuisine is a wide variety of seafood and vegetable dishes, with the flavors trapped and fried over a non-greasy high heat. Do you know it? The next part talk about Anhui Cuisine.
Anhui Cuisine is from inland China. This culture is many wild plants/animals’ ingredients, more stewing and oil. It is the area where the farmers live. So, we take in the wild ingredients from the local mountains and make delicious and different healthy dishes. And they use easy cooking. Anhui Cuisine is Anhui (Inland E. China) Huangshan (Huangshan), Hefei food culture. Since Anhui is a poor inland province in western Shanghai, its cuisine is basically a hearty mountain peasant dish. I think that this kind of food culture was created to satisfy the stomach in a short time.
Hunan cuisine is Hunan Province (southern central China) cuisine. This culture is spicy, favoring sautéing, stir-frying, steaming, and smoking. Why Such Hot (and Sour) Food? That because Perhaps the wet hot summers and chilly wet winters drive the people to eat sour hot foods. The Chinese think that extra heat (yang) of peppers and other hot spices balances out the excessive cold and wet (yin).
Zhejiang Cuisine is a food culture in eastern China, Zhejiang Province-Hangzhou. It features a mellow flavor, seafood, artistry and many cooking methods. Zhejiang is known as a city of wealth and sophistication. Maybe this is why the food is unusually delicious and sophisticated.
Jiangsu Cuisine is the food culture of Jiangsu Province (east coast of China)—Nanjing Suzhou. The feature is seafood. Rich fragrance and elegant presentation. Jiangsu has the highest per capita income. Probably for this reason, food is a more gourmet style. It presents a very sophisticated and colorful and artistic way. I recommend this dish Sweet and Sour Mandarin Fish. It is refreshing and delicious.
Conclusion
This study introduced eight famous Chinese food cultures. In addition, we wrote down the characteristics of each. These eight food cultures were prepared with various dishes depending on the ingredients, lifestyles, and economic conditions available nearby. In other words, since China is large, the food culture developed along with the activities of the people in that land.
References
Books
- Kazuhiro Iwama. (n.d.). 中国料理と近現代日本 : 食と嗜好の文化交流史 / Chugoku ryori to kingendai nihon : Shoku to shiko no bunka koryushi. 慶應義塾大学出版会, Keiogijukudaigakushuppankai.
Magazine - 池上千恵. Chie Ikegami, & Onodera, M. (2008). 香港女子的裏グルメ : たった500円で大満足! 香港食一番人気ブログ「開心香港街市」 / Honkon joshiteki uragurume : tatta gohyakuen de daimanzoku honkonshoku ichiban ninki burogu hoisamu honkon gaishii. 世界文化社, Tōkyō: Sekai Bunkasha
Websites - Gavin. (2014). The 8 Great Cuisines of China. Retrieved from China Highlights website: https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-food/eight-cuisine.htm.
- Gavin. (2019). Cantonese Cuisine — The Most Popular Chinese Food Abroad. Retrieved from China Highlights website: https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-food/yue-cuisine.htm
- Gavin. (2014). Sichuan Cuisine — the Most Popular Cuisine in China. Retrieved from China Highlights website: https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-food/chuan-cuisine.htm
- Gavin Van Hinsbergh. (2014). Jiangsu Cuisine — Refined Healthy Gourmet Food. Retrieved from China Highlights website: https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-food/su-cuisine.htm
- Gavin. (2019). Zhe Cuisine/Zhejiang Cuisine — The Mellow Seafood of Zhejiang. Retrieved from China Highlights website: https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-food/zhe-cuisine.htm
- Gavin. (2019). Fujian Cuisine — Healthy Food of Fujian Province. Retrieved from China Highlights website: https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-food/min-cuisine.htm
- Gavin. (2014). Hunan Cuisine/Xiang Cuisine — Hot (Spicy) and Sour. Retrieved from China Highlights website: https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-food/xiang-cuisine.htm
- Gavin Van Hinsbergh. (2019). Hui Cuisine — China’s Wild Cuisine. Retrieved from China Highlights website: https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-food/hui-cuisine.htm
- Gavin. (2014). Shandong (Lu) Cuisine — The Ancient Mother of the Northern Cuisine Styles. Retrieved from China Highlights website: https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-food/lu-cuisine.htm
