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Rice, noodles, and grains

One of the dishes many Beijing locals swear by is “Zha Jiang Noodles (炸酱面)”. What sets it apart from other noodle dishes is the sauce, zha jiang, meaning “fried sauce”.

Rice, noodles, and grains• [Simmering]

Zha jiang noodles, old Beijing style (老北京炸酱面)

Wrapping glutinous rice and pork ribs in lotus leaf is guaranteed to create an irresistible parcel after a long steaming.

Meat• Rice, noodles, and grains• [Steaming]

Steamed glutinous rice and pork ribs in lotus leaf

The way of preparing a bowl of crossing-the-bridge noodles is unique and fun, and the resultant dish is incredibly tasty and satisfying.

Rice, noodles, and grains• [Simmering]

Yunnan crossing-the-bridge noodles (云南过桥米线)

Congee, or rice porridge, is the ultimate comfort food for many Chinese people and Chinese food aficionados. This congee with both fresh and dried scallops is creamy, tasty, and soothing.

Fish and shelfish• Rice, noodles, and grains• [Simmering]

Congee with fresh and dried scallops

The stir-fried rice cake dish is quite popular in Shanghai and the neighboring region. It calls for shepherd’s purse, known as ji cai (荠菜) in Mandarin, which has a unique aroma that’s earthy and refreshing.

Meat• Rice, noodles, and grains• [Stir-frying]

Shanghai-style stir-fried rice cakes with pork and shepherd’s purse

The best part of the Cantonese-style clay pot rice (煲仔饭)? The brown and crispy crust formed at the side and bottom of the pot during the cooking process. When you dig up the crust, mix it with the rice, toppings, and sauce, the aromas are intoxicating!

Meat• Rice, noodles, and grains• [Simmering]

Clay pot rice with Chinese sausage, ground pork, and hen-of-the-woods mushrooms

Making a dish with a fun name like this is alawys intriguing. It also tastes great with the ground pork (the ants) and mung bean noodles (the twigs of a tree).

Meat• Rice, noodles, and grains• [Stir-frying]

Ants climbing a tree (ma yi shang shu 蚂蚁上树)

These Shanghai-style cold noodles, with an assortment of toppings and a fragrant sesame and peanut sauce, are refreshing in hot weather.

Cold dishes and salads• Rice, noodles, and grains• [Boiling/Poaching]

Cold noodles with sesame and peanut sauce