If there is one great universal truth to choose from, it is that eating is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Eating is wonderful, but obviously this maxim takes on a special meaning when we have delicious dishes on the table, not necessarily haute cuisine or very expensive, but those with an explosion of flavours that leave our bellies full and our hearts joyful. The food we like makes us happy, and there is no argument about that. A clear example is the best Chinese food dishes: delicious, simple, nutritious and that brings a smile to everyone’s face. What a great pleasure!
Chinese gastronomy has a lot to offer, from the simplest to the most elaborate dishes, to take a walk through the different sweet, salty, spicy, bitter and sour flavours that characterise this cuisine.
In this post we want to tell you about it and offer you a small list of our favourite Chinese dishes that, besides satisfying your stomach, will leave you happy. Let’s go!
Best Chinese Food Dishes You Must Try At Least Once
Getting out of the routine and discovering new flavours is something we should do every month, even once. Our proposal is that you experiment with the best Chinese food dishes, those that are sure to leave you satisfied.
But be aware! The first thing we want you to know is that “Chinese food” is not just one. This gastronomy has many variations, both original and fusion. Today we want to tell you about two of them, an ancestral one that comes directly from the Far East and another one that is an explosive mixture. Let’s see.
Cantonese Chinese food
Cantonese Chinese food is the most popular type of Chinese food outside the borders of China. It is unique in that it incorporates mildly flavoured spices to preserve the original flavours of each food.
Its name honours the province of Canton, where it is customary to prepare dishes flavoured only with garlic and Chinese chives, as part of the care they take not to use seasonings that end up altering the flavours of each ingredient.
In Cantonese cuisine, fresh ingredients are steamed and wok-cooked to produce the best Chinese dishes of this type.
Chifa food
Chifa food is a type of Chinese-Peruvian fusion food that emerged in Peru after the arrival of the first Chinese immigrants in the 19th century, who adapted their dishes to the Peruvian ingredients they had on hand, replacing Chinese foods that were not available in the Andean country. This is when Chinese food received the contribution of flavours such as aji panca pepper and pisco.
In addition to combining foods, the Chinese brought new culinary techniques, such as cooking over very high and fast heat in a wok. A wok is a kind of frying pan with a wide mouth and a small bottom that allows sautéed food to be cooked quickly so that it is al dente.
This fusion cuisine gave rise to exotic dishes such as chaufa rice, lomo saltado, wantan soup, cau cau, sautéed noodles, among other dishes where the best of both cuisines are mixed to obtain unique and irresistible flavours.
List of best cheap chinese food dishes
To enjoy the best Chinese food dishes you don’t have to hit your wallet hard. There are restaurants that offer luxury dishes, with exquisite flavours, at reasonable prices.
Here is our list of suggested dishes. With any of them we assure you that you will end up with a happy meal.
1.- Chaufa rice
It is considered the jewel of chifa food. It is the Peruvian version of Chinese fried rice, with the difference that it incorporates flavours from Peru. It can be enjoyed in simple dishes with few ingredients, or in full dishes where various vegetables and protein such as beef, chicken, shrimp or pork are mixed in. It is stir-fried in a wok to achieve the al dente texture of the food used.
2.- Spring rolls
Served as an appetizer or as a side dish. Spring rolls are made with a rice dough that is stretched thinly and then filled with julienned vegetables and meat, previously sautéed, and then fried in plenty of oil.
3.- Lomo saltado
This is another of the star dishes of Chinese-Peruvian food. Here, vegetables are combined with beef, chopped into small pieces, which are then sautéed in a wok to an al dente consistency. The combination of tomato and yellow pepper gives it an exquisite flavour. Served with fried potatoes and white rice.
4.- Dim Sum
Dim sum are among the best Chinese food dishes for their flavours, appearance and variety of texture. They are small morsels made from finely rolled rice or wheat flour dough, which is then filled with meats, vegetables and even jams. They are shaped into balls, sacks, patties and even rolls. The important thing is that they are small. They are then steamed in wicker baskets and can even be fried.
5.- Peking-style lacquered duck
This is another of the delicacies offered by Chinese cuisine. The duck is juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. It is cut into small pieces so that the diner can place portions on a wheat flour tortilla to which some raw vegetables such as carrot, cucumber and spring onion are added, and garnished with a little hoisin sauce.
The best chinese food dishes in the USA
For us, the best Chinese food dishes that you can enjoy in the United States are offered by Chifa restaurants. In these establishments, the dishes offer a combination of explosive flavours that captivate everyone who dares to discover them.
Chifas restaurants are nothing more than Chinese restaurants where they serve dishes that were created in Peru, a product of the mixture of flavours and techniques of both cuisines, which is part of the gastronomic identity of Peruvians.
In the city of Miami, Florida, there are many restaurants that serve this type of food, but our favourite, of course, is Chifa Du Kang.
At Chifa Du Kang we know the authentic flavours of Chifa food because our roots are in those lands and we decided to bring those flavours to Miami to share them with the multicultural public of this metropolis.
We are located on Kendall Dr and Bird Road, two establishments where you can explore the different flavours and textures of authentic chifa food, Peru’s best kept gastronomic secret.
