Ready for a culinary adventure?
In today's video I'll introduce 5 mouth-watering Chinese street food dishes you can't miss! We'll also cover some essential vocabulary and phrases you need to order food in Mandarin as you and navigate your way through China's bustling food markets.
5 Chinese Street Foods You Can't Miss!
1. 煎饼果子 (jiānbǐng guǒzi) - Chinese crepe
煎饼果子 (jiānbǐng guǒzi) is a traditional Chinese street food that originated in the Shandong province. It's a savory crepe made from a mixture of wheat and grain flour, it filled with ingredients like eggs, scallions, cilantro, and a crispy fried dough called 油条 (yóutiáo). The crepe is then folded and served with a delicious sauce, making it a perfect grab-and-go meal.
2. 馄饨 (húntun) - Wontons
馄饨 (húntun) - Wontons are a type of Chinese dumpling, typically filled with a mixture of ground meat and vegetables, wrapped in a thin, delicate dough. They can be boiled, steamed, or fried and are often served in soups or with dipping sauces.
3. 烧烤 (shāokǎo) - Barbecue skewers
烧烤 (shāokǎo) - Barbecue skewers are a popular Chinese street food, consisting of various types of meat, seafood, and vegetables skewered on bamboo or metal sticks and grilled over an open flame. The skewers are often seasoned with spices and sauces, giving them a delicious, smoky flavor.
4. 炸鸡排 (zhá jīpái) - Fried chicken cutlet
炸鸡排 (zhá jīpái) - Fried chicken cutlet is a popular Chinese dish consisting of a boneless chicken breast or thigh that has been pounded flat, breaded, and deep-fried until golden and crispy. It is often seasoned with spices and served with a dipping sauce or as a topping for rice or noodles.
5. 肉夹馍 (ròu jiā mó) - Chinese hamburger
肉夹馍 (ròu jiā mó) - Chinese hamburgers are a common street food in China, particularly in the Shaanxi province. It consists of a flavorful, slow-cooked meat filling, usually made from pork or beef that is shredded or chopped and seasoned with various spices and sauces. The meat is then stuffed into a flatbread called "馍 mó," which is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Alright, now that we’ve learned about some popular dishes, let’s learn some words and phrases to help you order them yourself!
Chinese Street Food Vocabulary: Must-Know Words and Phrases
Essential Vocabulary:
1. 份 (fèn) - Portion
小份 (xiǎo fèn) - Small portion
中份 (zhōng fèn) - Medium portion
大份 (dà fèn) - Large portion
超大份 (chāo dà fèn) - Extra-large portion
2. 辣 (là) - Spicy
微辣 (wēi là) - Mildly spicy
中辣 (zhōng là) - Medium spicy
超辣 (chāo là) - Super spicy
变态辣 (biàn tài là) - Extremely spicy (literally "abnormal spicy")
If you don't like any spicy, you can just simple say:
我要不辣的 (Wǒ yào bù là de) - I want it not spicy.
3. 多少钱 (duōshao qián) - How much?
4. 打包 (dǎbāo) - To-go (pack up)
Ordering Phrases:
1. 我要一份煎饼果子 (Wǒ yào yī fèn jiānbing guǒzi) - I'd like one Chinese crepe.
2. 这个有辣的吗？(Zhège yǒu là de ma?) - Is this spicy?
3. 我要超辣的。 (Wǒ yào chāo là de) - I want it super spicy.
4. 多少钱一份？(Duōshao qián yī fèn?) - How much for one portion?
5. 老板，扫一下微信。(lǎo bǎn， sǎo yī xià wēi xìn. )- Boss, please scan the WeChat QR code.
6. 麻烦给我打包 (Máfan gěi wǒ dǎbāo) - Please pack it up for me.
And there you have it! Now you're ready to navigate the bustling Chinese street food scene and order like a local. Don't forget to practice these words and phrases, and most importantly, enjoy the delicious food!
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