1      People regard food as their primary want. Everyone can not live without food. So today I want to talk about Chinese food culture.

       There are kinds of different snacks in each city, I can’t list all. So I choose the following cuisine styles represent for Chinese city specials.

2     In China, because of different hydrothermal [ˌhaidrə'θə:məl] conditions, people in north live on flour while people in the south live on rice. Besides, Chinese ‘Eight cuisines’ are distinctive in cooking skills. Known as the “south sweet north salty, east acid and west spicy”, these are related to different geography environments. Chinese minorities have their specific diets too.

3     Northern Chinese cuisine refers to the cooking in the areas north of the Yangzi River, such as Hebei, Henan, Shandong and Liaoning. Since the climate is hot and dry during the summers and freezing cold during winters in this part of China, northern Chinese people opt for more solid, nourishing beef, lamb and duck meat. Garlic, leeks and scallions are heavily used in northern Chinese cooking. Instead of rice, wheat is the main grain in northern China. Noodles and pancakes made from wheat flour constitute the important portion of many meals. Dumplings are a very popular Chinese food in this area.

4    Eastern Chinese cuisine refers to the cooking in the areas of Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang area. Both rice and wheat are grown here – rice in the subtropical climate to the south, wheat in the colder area that includes Shanghai. Noodle and bread made from both rice and wheat flour are frequently used. Chinese people in this area also take advantage of the region’s proximity to the sea and its large number of lakes. Eastern cuisine features abundant use of many varieties of seafood, fresh vegetables, including bamboo. Eastern cuisine is also famous for the liberal use of sugar to sweeten dishes and soy sauce to simmer various meats.

5    Sichuan cuisine features the cooking style of western China, such as Sichuan, Hunan provinces. The spicy style of the cooking originates from the hot and humid climate of this area and the abundant growth of the hot peppers. It is characterized by using a variety of flavoring in the cooking, such as the five spices, prickly ash-hot pepper, vinegar-pepper, and flavored vegetables like garlic and onions. Sichuan cuisine enjoys high reputation with locals widespread publicity of “Best eat at Sichuan”.

6    Cantonese cuisine features the cooking style in southern China – Hongkong, Guangdong, as well as Fujian and Taiwan. The popularity of southern Cantonese cuisine comes from the subtle use of sauces, the diversity of ingredients and cooking methods. The use of seafood, a wide variety of meats, fresh fruit, and vegetables combine with the methods of stir-frying, steaming, and roasting have made Cantonese dishes one of the most popular Chinese cuisine. We also have the Cantonese to thank for dim sum (“dian xin”), literally meaning "touch your heart" – consists of very small portions of varied assortment of pastries and dumplings that originated in Chinese teahouses. It is usually served with tea from late morning until early afternoon. Chinese use dim sum brunches as an opportunity for families to share the time together or to catch up with friends while enjoying the tea and many different types of delicacies.

7    The main difference between Chinese and western eating habits is that unlike the West, where everyone has their own plate of food, in China the dishes are placed on the table and everybody shares. If you are being treated by a Chinese host, be prepared for a ton of food. Chinese are very proud of their culture of cuisine and will do their best to show their hospitality.

8    It’s really an admirable custom to respect others at the table, including the aged, teachers and guests while taking good care of children.

      Chinese people stress filial piety all the time. The practice of presenting the best or fine food first to the senior members of the family has been observed for countless generations.

      Although the hosts in China are all friendly and hospitable, you should also show them respect. The host needs to know whom among the invited guests actually arrived, so you should let the host know whether you go or not. And you should be punctual, it’s rude in Chinese society to arrive late.

      Before starting to eat, the host may offer some words of greeting. Guests should not start to eat until the host says, “Please enjoy yourself” or something like that, otherwise it suggests disrespect and causes displeasure.

9    China is the hometown of chopsticks. The culture of chopsticks has a long history in China. Nowadays, chopsticks are considered to be lucky gifts for marriage and other ceremonies.

Sometimes, the host use their chopsticks to put food in your bowl or plate. This is a sign of politeness. The appropriate thing to do would be to eat the whatever-it-is and say how yummy it is. If you feel uncomfortable with this, you can just say a polite thank you and leave the food there.

To use chopsticks, you should remember that lay them on your dish. You couldn’t stick your chopsticks upright in the rice bowl or anything like that. It’s considered bad.

10 On special occasions in China, such as celebrating birthday, or the wedding day, and to most Chinese people, returning home after long absence or departure from home are both significant and there are food customs associated with this. Big elaborate meals are served at home or restaurants that consist of 10 or more courses. Friends and relatives come together, the hosts usually welcome guests at the door.

     11     This is a short list of rules about Chinese table manner, you’d better know them.

     12      Chinese table manner, whether it applies to receiving only a few guests at a single table in one’s home or to holding a public banquet involving dozens of guests seated at several tables, varies with the character and purpose of the dinner. It also differs slightly for region to region in China. As a visitor or guest in either a Chinese home or restaurant you will find that table manners are essential and the distinctive courtesies displayed will invariably add to the enjoyment of your meals and keep you in high spirits! That’s all, thank you!