Chinese Food Glossary

A glossary of words and phrases connected with Chinese food and cuisine. Find Chinese food terms, ingredients and Chinese dishes.

Further information on many of the listed terms is available via accompanying links, plus information on related products.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Abalone - known as Bào yú in Chinese.

Aiwowo - glutinous millet cake

B

Baijiu - distilled spirit ("white liquor"). Read more on Baijiu.

Baodu - quick-fried tripe.

Bao yu - abalone.

Baozi - steamed buns with a filling.

Beijing Duck - the trademark dish of Beijing.

Bo cai - spinach.

Bok Choy - a type of cabbage.

C

Canting - restaurant.

Chou dofu - stinky tofu

Chuar - Xinjiang kebabs.

Cha - tea.

Char siu - barbecued pork.

Chaofan - fried rice.

Chaogan - quick-fried liver.

Chaomian - fried noodles.

Choy - vegetable.

Chongqing hotpot, China — Chongqing hotpot

D

Dim Sum - light, steamed dishes served with tea.

Doufu - bean curd, tofu.

Douzhi - a fermented soy-bean milk.

E

F

Fandian - hotel or restaurant. Read more about hotels in Beijing

G

Ganbei - Cheers!

Guotie - pan-fried jiaozi dumplings - gyoza in Japan.

H

Haam yu - Cantonese preserved, salted fish.

Hoi sam - sea cucumber.

Hong putao jiu - red wine.

Hongshu - baked sweet potatoes.

Huoguo - Chinese hotpot.

I

J

Jiangcai - pickled vegetables.

Jiaozi - steamed dumplings filled with pork, cabbage, onions and garlic.

Jiuba - pub or bar.

Jiucai bing - bread stuffed with cabbage and egg.

Juhua cha - Chrysanthemum tea.

K

Kafei - coffee. Read more about coffee in Beijing.

Kao - roast.

Kuaizi - chopsticks.

Kung Pao chicken - Szechuan stir-fried chicken with vegetables and peanuts. Read more about Kung Pao chicken.

Baozi, steamed dumplings. — Baozi, steamed dumplings

Chengdu hotport, Sichuan. — Chengdu hotport, Sichuan

L

Lao Beijing cai - lit. "old Beijing food" ie traditional Beijing cooking.

Lizhi - lychee.

Lucha - green tea.

M

Mala - spicy broth in Chongqing hotpot.

Mapo Doufu - Sichuan dish of tofu, minced beef and red sauce.

Mantou - steamed bun.

Mifan - white rice.

Mijiu - rice wine.

Mooncake - special pastry eaten at Mid-autumn Festival.

N

Naicha - milk tea.

Nung - Xinjiang bread.

O

Op - duck.

P

Peking Duck - see Beijing Duck.

Pien - sliced.

Pijiu - beer.

Q

R

Roubing - cooked bread with chopped pork filling.

Rou jiamo - cooked bread with lamb.

S

Shaobing - flat bread made in a clay oven.

Shaoxing - rice wine, Huadiaojiu (花雕酒). Read more on Shaoxing Rice Wine.

Shark fin soup - Yu qi tong.

Shichang - market.

Shi Chong Yin - chopped cold cucumbers. Read more about Shi Chong Yin.

Shui - water.

Song ren yu mi - corn with pine nuts.

Suan rong xi lang hua - garlic broccoli.

Suen - sour.

T

Tang - soup.

Tanghulu - candied haws on a stick.

Tea Egg - hard boiled egg soaked or stewed in tea.

Tiem - sweet.

Tong sui - sweet Cantonese soup.

Tudou si - shredded potato stir fried with green peppers.

U

V

W

Wonton - type of dumpling.

Wonton noodles - Cantonese noodle dish with wonton and vegetables.

Wulongcha - Oolong tea.

X

Xiaochi - "little eats" or snacks.

Y

Yuebing - Mooncake.

Yuotiao - deep-fried dough stick.

Z

Zhangcha duck - tea-smoked duck.

Zheng - steamed.

Zhou - congee.

Zhu - boil.

Zongtai - Front/hotel reception.

Chinese Food Glossary