Top 10 Chinese Dishes Every Student Must Try

10 Must-Try Chinese Dishes

Chinese cuisine is incredibly diverse. Here are 10 dishes every international student should try:

1. Jiaozi (Dumplings) — stuffed with pork, cabbage, or shrimp. Found nationwide, especially in Beijing and the north.
2. Peking Duck — crispy roast duck with pancakes. A Beijing specialty.
3. Xiaolongbao — soup-filled dumplings from Shanghai.
4. Hotpot (Huoguo) — communal cooking in spicy broth. Sichuan and Chongqing are famous for it.
5. Jianbing — savory breakfast crepe with egg and crispy crackers.
6. Baozi — steamed buns stuffed with meat or vegetables. Cheap breakfast everywhere.
7. Lamian — hand-pulled noodles, especially Lanzhou beef noodles.
8. Gong Bao Chicken — spicy stir-fry with peanuts, a Sichuan classic.
9. Mapo Tofu — spicy Sichuan tofu with minced meat.
10. Biangbiang Noodles — wide, belt-like noodles from Shaanxi.

Where to Eat

University canteens (¥8–25), small local restaurants (¥20–50), and food delivery via Meituan/Ele.me. Night markets offer street food adventures.