Flourgirl said:
Thanks for some explanation. No wonder I like the Cantonese stuff, very fresh tasting, but beautifully prepared.
Does anyone know the differences between all the styles? How Hunan differs from Scechuan, Cantonese, etc...?
Although there are many regional Chinese cuisines, the best known ones are the following:
Shandong Cuisine
It is clean, pure, not greasy, and is characterized by its emphasis on aroma, freshness, crispness and tenderness. Shallots and garlic are frequently used giving dishes a pungent taste. Thin clear as well as strong-tasting creamy soups are common. Mainstays include deep-fried, grilled, pan-fried, and stir-fried dishes. Bird's Nest Soup is perhaps the best known dish.
Sichuan Cuisine
Known in the West as Szechuan, is one of the most famous Chinese cuisines in the world. Characterized by its spicy and pungent flavors, Sichuan cuisine, with a myriad of tastes, emphasizes the use of chili. Pepper and prickly ash are always in accompaniment, producing the typical exciting tastes. Garlic, ginger and fermented soybean are also used in the cooking process. Typical dishes are Hot Pot, Smoked Duck, Kung Pao Chicken, Twice Cooked Pork, Mapo Dofu.
Guangdong Cuisine (Cantonese Cuisine)
Tasting clean, light, crisp and fresh, Guangdong cuisine, familiar to Westerners, usually has fowl and other meats that produce its unique dishes. The basic cooking techniques include roasting, stir-frying, sauteing, deep-frying, braising, stewing and steaming. Typical dishes are Shark Fin Soup, Steamed Sea Bass, and Roast Piglet.
Fujian Cuisine
It is renowned for its choice seafood, beautiful color and magical tastes of sweet, sour, salt, and savory. The most distinct feature is the "pickled taste". Some typical Fujian dishes are Buddha Jumping Over the Wall, Snow Chicken, and Prawns with Dragon's Body and Phoenix's tail.
Jiangsu Cuisine
Jiangsu Cuisine, also called Huaiyang Cuisine, is popular in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Using fish and crustaceans as the main ingredients, it stresses their freshness. Cooking techniques consist of stewing, braising, roasting, and simmering. Typical Jiangsu dishes are Stewed Crab with Clear Soup, Long-boiled and Dry-shredded Meat, Duck Triplet, Crystal Meat, and Liangxi Crisp Eel.
Zhejiang Cuisine
It is non-greasy and wins its reputation for freshness, tenderness, softness, and smoothness of its dishes with their mellow fragrance. Typical dishes are Sour West Lake Fish, Longjing Shelled Shrimp, Beggar's Chicken.
Hunan Cuisine
It is characterized by thick and pungent flavors. Chili, pepper and shallot are usually necessities. Typical dishes are Dongan Chicken, Peppery and Hot Chicken.
Anhui Cuisine
Anhui Cuisine focuses much more attention on the temperature in cooking and are good at braising and stewing. Often ham as well as candied sugar are added to improve taste. Typical dishes are Stewed Snapper and Huangshan Braised Pigeon.
It should be noted, however, that to the regional Chinese cuisines of mainland China must be added their counterparts that emigrant Chinese took with them to other parts of the world where they evolved in new directions. Most notably Chinese emigration to Southeast Asia dating back to the Portuguese colony of Malacca has created over the years exciting variations of classical Chinese regional cuisines in Malaysia and Singapore, both of which have large Chinese communities with a culture that has evolved in a way that blended traditional Chinese as well as local elements to produce a distinct and unique cultural identity.
Chinese cuisines in Malaysia and Singapore are mainly Cantonese, Hokkien, Hainanese, Teochew and Hakka. These cuisines are generally milder compared to Malay or Indian fare but due to the influence of the multi-ethnicity of these countries, they have taken on a spicier touch, often reinventing classic Chinese dishes. Many of these dishes are unique and not found in China. Chillies are used frequently to bestow fiery hotness to many of the dishes, such as the famous Chilli Crab.
Most of the Singaporean Chinese have their roots in the southern part of China, particularly Guangdong (Canton) and Fujian (Hokkien). The province they came from determines the Chinese dialect they speak. In a similar fashion, many Chinese dishes are identified with the dialect group they originated from, such as Teochew Porridge and Fishball Noodles, Hainanese Chicken Rice, Hakka Yong Tau Foo, Fried Hokkien Noodles, and so on.
The Chinese cuisine in
Singapore has been infused with strong Southeast Asian elements. For example, the use of chilli and local spices has made Singaporean Chinese cuisine more feisty and tasteful compared to those found in China. Such fare can range from the subtle Cantonese to the fiery Sichuan. Rice is the staple in most Chinese cuisines. However, noodles made from several types of flour and cooked in a variety of styles are also popular. A Chinese meal will usually consist of rice accompanied by small portions of several types of meat, poultry, fish, and vegetables.
Although a minor regional cuisine in China, the Teochew cuisine, originating from the area around Shantou, figures prominently in Singapore. It is a style noted for its delicacy and natural flavours. Seafood is a specialty. Teochew cooking uses gentle roasting and steaming, with only a touch of animal fat and seasonings. A major part of Teochew cooking is the crystal clear soups, which are achieved by very low simmering, thus giving them a clean, light taste. Classic dishes include Steamed Fish and Braised Goose or Duck.
Although chillies are a local addition to Chinese cuisine in Singapore, Singaporean Chinese take them very seriously. They are apt to patronize a place simply for the fact that the chilli condiment that goes with certain dishes has been prepared "just so". In fact, Hainanese Chicken Rice chefs sometimes earn their customers' loyalty on the strength of their chilli sauce alone. So when it comes to condiments, do not be surprised to find chilli sauce, chilli paste or cut chillies, alongside traditional Chinese condiments such as salt or sweet soya sauce