Chinese food is recognised for its wide range of flavours, complex preparation methods, and extensive cultural background. As a result, people from other cultures may occasionally find China’s eating customs to be peculiar or unexpected.
Here are 15 odd food practices that are a part of Chinese culture, ranging from culinary traditions to distinctive delicacies:
15 Weird Food Habits of Chinese People
1. Bird’s Nest Soup:
Bird’s nest soup, which is made from swiftlet nests, is thought to provide a number of health advantages. The nests are frequently soaked and cooked into a rich soup because of their treasured texture.
2. Stinky Tofu
Stinky tofu is a fermented tofu dish with a strong odour that many locals find appealing. It’s often enjoyed as a street food and is known for its pungent aroma and distinctive taste.
3. Chicken Feet
In China, chicken feet are a common snack and dim sum ingredient. In order to give them a chewy texture and distinctive flavour, they are frequently marinated, steamed, and then deep-fried or stir-fried.
4. Snake Soup
Snake meat is used to make a hearty soup that is thought to have curative properties in some parts of China. It is frequently drunk in the winter to fend off colds.
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5. Fish Head Stew
Fish head stew is a dish made by simmering fish heads with vegetables and spices. The dish is appreciated for its flavorful broth and tender fish cheek meat.
6. Duck Blood Soup
Congealed duck blood is sliced and added to a delicious broth in duck blood soup. It’s a dish that’s popular in various parts of China.
7. Turtle Soup
n some parts of China, turtle soup is drunk because it is said to have nutritious qualities. Slow-cooked turtle meat and a variety of herbs are used in the recipe.
8. Eating Insects
Insects, such as crickets, silkworms, and scorpions, are often deep-fried and consumed as snacks or street food in some regions of China. They are considered a protein-rich delicacy.
9. Century Eggs
Century eggs, often referred to as preserved eggs or 1,000-year eggs, are produced by preserving duck, chicken, or quail eggs for several weeks to months in a solution of clay, ash, salt, quicklime, and rice straw. A dark-coloured egg with a distinct flavour is the end result.
10. Balut
Balut (fertilised duck embryo), while frequently associated with Southeast Asia, notably the Philippines, is also popular in some regions of China. It’s a treat that’s frequently consumed with a dash of salt and occasionally lime juice.
11. Bitter Melon:
Bitter melon is a vegetable known for its extremely bitter taste. It’s used in Chinese cuisine for its potential health benefits and is believed to have cleansing properties.
12. Donkey Meat
In some areas of China, notably in the north, people eat donkey flesh. Stews and stir-fries are the only two meals that employ it.
13. Hotpot
A communal pot of simmering broth is used to prepare a variety of items, including meat, seafood, veggies, and noodles, in a hotpot, which isn’t intrinsically strange.
14. Pig’s Blood Cake
Also known as blood tofu, pig’s blood cake is a type of street food made from coagulated pig’s blood mixed with other ingredients, often served on skewers.
15. Fermented Bean Curd
Fermented bean curd, known as “furu” or “chao” in Chinese, is a pungent and strong-flavoured condiment made from preserved tofu. It’s used to add flavour to various dishes.
These eating practices may seem strange to outsiders, but they are fundamental to Chinese culinary tradition. They are a reflection of the nation’s lengthy history, a wide range of regional cuisines, and faith in specific substances’ potential health advantages. knowledge of these odd eating practices can help one gain a better knowledge of Chinese cuisine and its cultural significance.