You may have every Chinese restaurant within fifty miles on speed dial, but unless you’ve been to China, you’ve never really experienced the country’s cuisine. China is a vast country with enough people to create subcultures within subcultures. ‘

The traditional dish of one region is vastly different from that of its neighbor, and what’s served in America is a watered-down conglomerate of the real thing. In reality, there are eight primary styles of Chinese cuisine.

The Sichuan Style

Sichuan cuisine hails from the Sichuan Province, and includes some of the spiciest dishes in the country. Their focus is on the mouth-numbing flavor of the Sichuan peppercorn combined with a bold mix of peanuts, garlic, and other not-so-subtle spices. For a real taste of Sichuan, try to mapo doufu or beef soup.

The Jiangsu Style

For a more delicate dining experience, you’ll have to look Northwest of Shanghai. The Jiangsu Province creates highly refined dishes using fresh seasonal ingredients and carefully prepared meats. You can expect sweeter aromatic dishes with an emphasis on soup when sampling Jiangsu cuisine.

The Hunan Style

Hunan cuisine might be the only style with spicier dishes than Sichuan. This is a landlocked province that uses bold seasoning to accentuate agricultural offerings. Hot and sour flavors are the norm. Try Dong’an chicken for an authentic taste of this province.

The Fujian Style

The Fujian Province offers a unique variety of dishes because of their proximity to both the mountains and the bordering sea. This food … Read More ...