China has made waves worldwide through its philosophy, music, art, and cuisine – here are ten must-try dishes!
This cozy Chinese eatery is a reliable go-to, serving dishes like lo mein and fried rice alongside classic Chinese fare like bubble tea, vegetable dumplings & crab rangoon that are always perfectly executed.
Kung Pao Chicken
This homey eatery, featuring UGA upholstery, an amusing clock composed of spoons and forks, and eclectic wall decor, is as welcoming as can be. Serving everything from steamed dumplings to sweet and sour pork dishes, there’s sure to be something on their menu that you will appreciate!
This Kung Pao Chicken dish is an easy weeknight dinner option packed with protein, veggies, and an irresistibly flavorful sauce! Made in just one pan for maximum efficiency! Instead of ordering take-out for dinner on weeknights, make this tasty Kung Pao recipe yourself at home! Serve over fluffy white rice.
Sweet and Sour Pork
This classic Chinese dish combines sweetness with tart acidity for an irresistibly tasty experience! Perfect for families or a simple romantic dinner for two. Battered pork is coated in a sweet-and-sour sauce made of bell peppers, onions, and pineapple to ensure delicious results – healthier than takeout and just as delicious!
Make this delicious sweet and sour pork dish at home easily by mixing brown sugar, vinegar, ketchup, and soy sauce in a large resealable plastic bag and then adding your pork slices – seal, turn to coat evenly before refrigerating for 30 minutes to marinate before refrigerating again!
Food coloring gives this sauce its vibrant red hue, but you may ignore it for a more natural appearance. Additionally, this recipe calls for thickening it at the end with corn starch-cold water slurry.
Chow Mein
Chow mein is an easy and satisfying Chinese stir fry featuring egg noodles, vegetables, meat, or tofu, and sweet and savory sauce. Add chicken, beef, pork, or shrimp as desired, and eggs are expected to increase its filling potential.
Chow mein is an authentic Chinese dish made with either crispy fried or steamed egg noodles, though its popularity among take-out restaurants makes the former version more desirable.
Cook the egg noodles according to package directions in boiling water and drain and rinse when finished cooking, setting them aside. Next, heat a generous amount of oil in a skillet and seaw/cook the protein before adding vegetables that need wilting. Finally, return the noodles to the sauce mixture until evenly covered.
Mapo Tofu
Mapo tofu is one of the spiciest, tongue-numbing Sichuan dishes ever to grace our tables, offering fiery spice in each bite. If necessary, a stir fry featuring ground pork can be substituted for vegetarian or vegan diners.
Mapo tofu’s success can be traced to its sauce, which combines spicy heat with sweet spices for an irresistibly unique umami flavor. You’ll find doubanjiang from Pixian (Pi Jiang) county for even greater authenticity; look out for doubanjiang from other regions, as they might offer different varieties.
Blanching tofu is essential in mixing fluffy and tender cubes into the sauce. Furthermore, blanching allows this dish to remain gluten-free by substituting ground pork with finely diced mushrooms (fresh and dried) diced up into fine shreds.
Hot Pot
Hot pot is an enjoyable social meal featuring fresh vegetables and thinly cut meats cooked in simmering broth, perfect for cold-weather dining experiences. Guests come together around a communal dining table to share the collaborative dining experience of a hot pot.
Most hot pot restaurants provide a range of broth flavors, ranging from classic meat or mushroom broths to rich tomato and fiery Sichuan sauces, along with an array of ingredients such as udon noodles, meatballs, and bok choy to choose from.
Many of these items come pre-sliced and partially frozen to make cooking in simmering liquid easier. Each person will receive chopsticks and small ramekins with their own set of chopsticks and their choice of dipping sauce; popular options are sesame paste, fish paste, hoisin sauce, and chili paste.
Spring Rolls
Athens is an idyllic college town, offering something for everyone in its vibrant student population. As the home of two of the Southeast’s premier breweries (Creature Comforts and Terrapin Beer), an unparalleled music scene featuring iconic bands like REM and Widespread Panic, as well as stellar venues like Georgia Theater, 40 Watt, etc. – Athens has something to offer all visitors!
Mama’s Boy offers some of the finest burgers in town, while The National offers fresh seafood. Returning alumni always include this meal on their weekend reunion lists!
Char Siu
Sweet and sticky Chinese BBQ Pork Char Siu is deliciously addictive and straightforward at home. Enjoy it alongside steamed rice and noodles, or stuff it into pork buns for an irresistibly delectable snack or lunch!
Making char siu can involve several cuts of meat, from leaner pork shoulder to fattier pork belly; however, its signature dark mahogany color requires pork belly with an abundance of fat-to-lean ratio.
Rose cooking wine adds delicate floral flavors, giving this recipe its distinctive mahogany hue and light floral notes. Although hard to come by outside of Asia, you can substitute any sherry or Chinese cooking wine as a replacement. Red fermented bean curd also contributes sodium for extra color and depth if desired – although optional.
