7 Flavors in Chinese & Must-Try Dishes | Chinese Food Culture

Mar 8, 2023

7 Flavors and Tastes in Chinese Cuisine Sweet Sour Spicy Bitter Salty Umami Astringent | Chinese Food Taste Guide & Must-Try Dishes

7 Flavors and Tastes in Chinese Cuisine + Must-Try Dishes

Many foreigners living in China often finds Chinese food culture captivating. It features diverse flavors, possesses a rich culinary history and is globally famous for its unique tastes. From sweet and sour to spicy and umami Chinese dishes offer an authentic flavors that make every meal an experience.

Prepare your 筷子 (kuàizi) chopsticks because in this article you’ll explore how to describe 7 flavors and tastes in Chinese, including common Chinese food terms popular Chinese seasonings and essential Chinese cooking ingredients to enhance your understanding of traditional Chinese cuisine.

1. Sweet, 甜 (tián)

Sweet Taste in Chinese Cuisine Meaning Examples & Must try Dishes | Learn Chinese Food Culture

In Chinese cuisine sweet flavors are not as dominant as in Western food, but some regions in China are famous for their sweet dish’s desserts and beverages. One of the most popular is 奶茶 (nǎichá) bubble tea a globally recognized Chinese drink.

🍬 Sweet Chinese Dishes to Try

糖葫芦
tánghúlu

Tanghulu, or candied fruit on a stick is a traditional Chinese street food from northern China. It features skewered hawthorn berries coated in a crispy sugar glaze offering a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness.

2. Sour, 酸 (suān)

Sour Taste in Chinese Cuisine Meaning Examples & Must try Dishes | Learn Chinese Food Culture

In Chinese sour flavors are common: from citrus fruits to vegetables. This tangy taste provides a refreshing contrast to other Chinese flavor profiles such as spicy, umami and sweet.

🍋 Sour Chinese Dishes to Try

酸菜鱼
suāncài yú

Sauerkraut fish is a famous Chinese dish, that is made of tender white fish with pickled mustard greens, creating a savory and sour flavor combination. It is especially popular in Chinese cuisine and known for its bold flavors and spicy sour taste.

3. Bitter, 苦 (kǔ)

Bitter Taste in Chinese Cuisine Meaning Examples & Must Try Dishes | Learn Chinese Food Culture

In Chinese the Bitter taste is often combined with other flavors to create a balanced experience. Bitter foods such as garlic, mustard powde, star anise and arugula are commonly used in Chinese dishes.

Additionally bitterness plays a significant role in traditional Chinese medicine (中药 zhōngyào) as many herbs and remedies rely on this flavor for their healing properties. Many elderly people in China believe that bitter ingredients can help promote good health and wellness.

Chinese Medicine | That's Mandarin Chinese School

中药
Zhōngyào
(traditional) Chinese medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine heavily incorporates bitter tasting herbs believed to aid digestion detoxification and overall well-being. The bitter flavor profile is often associated with cooling properties making it essential in many herbal treatments.

4. Spicy, 辣 (là)

Spicy Taste in Chinese Cuisine Meaning Examples & Must Try Dishes | Learn Chinese Food Culture

When people think of Chinese cuisine, the spicy taste (辣 là) is one of the first flavors that comes to mind. Sichuan cuisine (川菜 Chuāncài) and Hunan cuisine (湘菜, Xiāngcài) are well known for their bold fiery flavors heavily influenced by the humid climate of these regions. According to traditional Chinese food culture, consuming spicy dishes helps expel internal dampness and boosts circulation, making people feel healthier and more energized.

If you haven’t had a chance to try Chinese hotpot, this article will help you gain a basic understanding of some of the most popular types of hotpot in China.

🌶 Spicy Chinese Dishes to Try

四川火锅
Sìchuān huǒguō

Sichuan hotpot is the quintessential spicy Chinese dish featuring a bubbling pot of spicy and mild broths. Diners cook various meats vegetables and tofu absorbing the rich, numbing flavors of Sichuan peppercorn (花椒 huājiāo) and dried chilies. It’s a must-try for those who love intense and flavorful Chinese food.

5. Salty, 咸 (xián)

Although excessive salt intake can be unhealthy, (咸 xián) is a fundamental part of Chinese cuisine. Many Chinese dishes have a rich deep umami flavor due to the use of soy sauce (酱油 jiàngyóu), fermented ingredients and preserved foods.

In Chinese cooking salt is not just for taste, it also plays a role in preservation and fermentation key techniques in traditional food preparation.

酱油
jiàngyóu
soy sauce

🧂 Salty Chinese Dishes to Try

豉油鸡
chǐyóujī

Soy sauce chicken is a Cantonese classic, featuring tender bite-sized chicken infused with a rich soy based sauce. This dish balances savory slightly sweet and umami flavors, making it a staple in Chinese home cooking and dim sum menus.

6. Fragrant, 香 (xiāng)

In Chinese food culture a perfect dish should be 色香味俱全 (sè xiāng wèi jù quán) meaning it should have visual (色) fragrance (香) and delicious taste (味). Many Chinese dishes achieve this balance using herbs and cooking techniques.

🥘 Fragrant Chinese Dishes to try

Beijing Duck Traditional Chinese Dish & Dining Tips | 5 Questions for Eating at a Chinese Restaurant

北京烤鸭
Běijīng kǎoyā

(Peking) roast duck is one of the most iconic Chinese dishes known for its crispy golden skin and succulent flavorful meat. The combination of fragrant roasting techniques, sweet hoisin sauce and thin pancakes makes it a world-famous delicacy and a must-try dish in Beijing.

7. Stinky, 臭 (chòu)

In Chinese cuisine some dishes may have a strong pungent smell, but they offer a surprisingly delicious taste. Many foods fall under this category of “stinky but tasty, attracting both local food lovers and adventurous eaters worldwide.

🥡 Try the Symbol of “Stinky Flavor”

臭豆腐
chòu dòufu

Stinky tofu is a famous street food in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Despite its strong fermented smell, it has a crispy exterior and soft flavorful inside. It’s often deep fried and served with spicy chili sauce or pickled cabbage making it a must try dish for those exploring authentic Chinese flavors.

FAQs

1. What was the main flavors in Chinese cuisine?

Chinese cuisine is known for its seven main flavors: Sweet (甜) Sour (酸) Bitter (苦) Spicy (辣) Salty (咸) Fragrant (香) and Stinky (臭). Each of these tastes is a role in balancing dishes and enhancing their characteristics.

2. Why spiciness (辣) is popular in Chinese food?

It is popular in Sichuan and Hunan cuisines due to the climate, many people believe that eating spicy food helps with blood circulation and reduces internal dampness which is why hotpot and Hunan dishes are famously spicy in the world.

3. What is famous sour (酸) dish in Chinese cuisine?

One of the most famous sour dishes is Suāncài Yú (酸菜鱼) Sauerkraut Fish, which includes pickled mustard, greens with fresh fish in a flavorful broth.

4. What try dishes for each of the seven flavors?

Here are best dishes for each taste:

🍬 Sweet: (甜) Tanghulu (糖葫芦) Candied fruit skewers
🍋 Sour: (酸) Suāncài Yú (酸菜鱼) Sauerkraut Fish
☕️ Bitter: (苦) Chinese herbal soups (中药汤)
🌶️ Spicy: (辣) Sichuan Hotpot (四川火锅)
🧂 Salty: (咸) Soy Sauce Chicken (豉油鸡)
🍗 Fragrant: (香) Beijing Roast Duck (北京烤鸭)
🥡 Stinky: (臭) Stinky Tofu (臭豆腐)

5. Where can I try Chinese flavors?

To experience authentic Chinese cuisine, visit famous food streets in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Guangzhou, or try local restaurants specializing in regional Chinese food.

Take it Further!

Which of these 7 flavors and tastes in Chinese is your favorite? Share your opinion in the comments below or our WeChat article. To find out more interesting facts about life in China and Chinese language and culture, check out That’s Mandarin official Instagram Profile.

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