In northern China wheat or millet is traditionally eaten as apposed to fan (rice). Possibly the most famous Chinese dish, the Beijing duck, is served with typical northern ingredients including: wheat pancakes, spring onions and fermented bean paste. The variation of cai (vegetables) is limited in the north, therefore fresh water, fish and chicken are the main substitutes.
The most common cooking style in the north of China is explode-frying, this is mainly due to the introduction of the peanut which thrives in the north and is one of their main sources of oil. The northern style of food has developed a reputation of being bland and unsophisticated, however it is suited to the cold Northern Chinese climate as it is filling.
Northern Chinese Diet Example
- Chicken wrapped in lotus leaf
- Steamed crab with roe and shrimp
- Steamed shrimp, chicken and dried scallops
- Stir fried pork tenderloin with coriander
- Spicy braised pig’s intestine
- Sweet and crispy deep-fried apple