Introduction to Chinese Food
Chinese cuisine is one of the most diverse in the world, with 8 major regional cooking styles. As a student, you'll discover that eating in China is affordable, delicious, and a central part of social life.
University Canteens
University canteens are the cheapest way to eat — meals cost ¥8–¥25 ($1–$4). Most canteens have multiple stations offering regional dishes. Halal and vegetarian options are usually available at larger universities.
The 8 Great Cuisines
- Sichuan (mala spicy): hotpot, mapo tofu, kung pao chicken
- Cantonese: dim sum, roast meats, seafood
- Shandong: seafood, braised dishes
- Jiangsu: sweet, delicate, braised dishes
- Zhejiang: fresh, light, seafood
- Fujian: soup-based, umami
- Hunan: spicy, sour, smoked
- Anhui: wild herbs, stewed dishes
Must-Try Dishes
Dumplings (jiaozi), Peking duck, xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), hotpot, jianbing (breakfast crepe), baozi (steamed buns), and hand-pulled noodles (lamian).
Food Apps
Meituan and Ele.me are the main food delivery apps. You can order almost any cuisine to your dormitory in 30 minutes. WeChat Pay and Alipay are essential — cash is rarely used.