Pleated buns (1972) by Wang ZhiqiangWorld Federation of Chinese Catering Industry
Breakfast is a fundamental part of Chinese eating habits. The types of breakfasts in China differ by region. If you try some of the most typical Chinese breakfast dishes, you will find that the local breakfast delicacies are a reflection of each region’s distinct geography, climate, culture, and convention.
Beijing Breakfast by World Federation Of Chinese Catering IndustryWorld Federation of Chinese Catering Industry
Beijing
The most traditional and authentic breakfast for Beijing natives is a fermented bean drink and fried dough rings. Fried dough rings are a crispy, golden delicacy dating back to the imperial cookery of the Qing dynasty. These are made by blending dough with dietary alkali, salt, alum, and flour and frying them in oil. These flavory rings look like bracelets with a crispy and golden crust.
Steeped in a deep history, the fermented bean drink was a beloved beverage of Emperor Qianlong, becoming a staple of the imperial diet. Its distinctive sour flavor emerges through a detailed process involving numerous mung bean fermentations. For many, beginning their morning with a bowl of fermented bean drink is a customary delight. However, partaking in this beverage can be a challenge for others due to the unpleasant smell.
Pickles by World Federation Of Chinese Catering IndustryWorld Federation of Chinese Catering Industry
To enjoy the genuine flavor, typically, people drink it while it is still hot when it is freshly made. This is because if it undergoes re-fermentation, it will change its initial flavor profile. If you cannot stand it alone, try it with fried dough rings and pickles. This is the best way to enjoy the fermented bean drink among Beijing natives.
Roll it up by World Federation Of Chinese Catering IndustryWorld Federation of Chinese Catering Industry
Tianjin
Tianjin is known for its delicious, distinctive breakfast called jianbing guozi. Guozi means fried food in the Tianjin dialect. However, it typically refers to deep-fried dough sticks. Jianbing guozi is a thin pancake made with mung bean flour, covered with sauce and chopped scallions, and then wrapped around crispy deep-fried dough sticks.
Roll by World Federation Of Chinese Catering IndustryWorld Federation of Chinese Catering Industry
Tianjin people take the preparation of jianbing guozi seriously, and even have established specifications for how to make it.
招牌骨汤牛肉面World Federation of Chinese Catering Industry
Lanzhou
People from Lanzhou, a city in northwest China, love to begin the morning with a bowl of Lanzhou stretched noodles, or beef noodles, as they call it. Lanzhou stretched noodles are a signature dish of Lanzhou’s cookery culture and have a unique place in the hearts of Lanzhou people. They enjoy these hot, hearty noodles anytime, morning, noon, or night.
Lanzhou stretched noodles have five features: clear broth, white radish, red chili oil, green cilantro and garlic sprouts, and yellow noodles. The clear broth is made from beef bones and spices. White radish adds a refreshing crunch. The red chili oil gives a spicy kick. The green cilantro and garlic sprouts add freshness and fragrance. The yellow noodles are hand-pulled and chewy but tender. Lanzhou stretched noodle restaurants have become common outside of China as well.
Hangzhou Xiaolongbao by World Federation Of Chinese Catering IndustryWorld Federation of Chinese Catering Industry
Hangzhou
Hangzhou steamed dumplings are a beloved treat you can find across China. However, you have to go to Hangzhou if you want to savor the real deal. You can enjoy the thin, delicate wrappers with juicy and flavorful fillings. People must be careful not to scald their tongues on the hot soup inside the freshly steamed dumplings. You can bite a small hole and sip the soup before biting into the filling.
Shanghai Breakfast by World Federation Of Chinese Catering IndustryWorld Federation of Chinese Catering Industry
Shanghai
Shanghai’s breakfast selections revolve around the four staples of soy milk, deep-fried dough sticks, flatbread, and glutinous rice balls, which showcase a diverse morning culinary culture. Flatbread may sound plain, but it can be eaten in many different ways. Long flatbreads are typically salty, and the round ones are sweet. You can wrap them around deep-fried dough sticks or dip them in soy milk. They are highly popular among Shanghai natives.
Deep-Fried Dough Sticks by World Federation Of Chinese Catering IndustryWorld Federation of Chinese Catering Industry
Deep-fried dough sticks
Deep-fried dough sticks are an easy-to-prepare, crispy, and enjoyable breakfast across China. They are made by fermenting dough, spreading it into long strips, and frying it until golden brown.
Glutinous Rice Roll by World Federation Of Chinese Catering IndustryWorld Federation of Chinese Catering Industry
Glutinous rice balls
Glutinous rice balls are made by filling steamed rice with numerous fillings, cutting them into pieces, and deep-frying them until golden. They are a staple in southern Chinese cuisine.
Shanghai Breakfast by World Federation Of Chinese Catering IndustryWorld Federation of Chinese Catering Industry
Soy milk
Soy milk is universal across China. The Shanghai-style salty soy milk has a distinctive taste that everyone should try. Can you guess how they make it salty? They add seaweed, shrimp skin, pickled mustard, chopped scallions, and a dash of soy sauce, instead of salt. Then, they dip deep-fried dough sticks into the soy milk. To the people of Shanghai, there is no better way to start the day!
Chongqing City by World Federation Of Chinese Catering IndustryWorld Federation of Chinese Catering Industry
Chongqing and Wuhan
Chongqing and Wuhan are both in the south. However, people there love noodles for breakfast as much as in any northern Chinese city.
Chongqing Xiaomian Noodles by World Federation Of Chinese Catering IndustryWorld Federation of Chinese Catering Industry
Chongqing street noodles
Chongqing people love to wake up to a bowl of spicy, savory street noodles. Yes, they have Chongqing street noodles for breakfast. This is possibly the most strongly flavored breakfast you can find; it suits the Chongqing people, who are fond of spicy food.
Wuhan breakfast by World Federation Of Chinese Catering IndustryWorld Federation of Chinese Catering Industry
Wuhan hot dry noodles
Wuhan residents have a distinctive way of saying “having breakfast” that differs from the rest of the country. Their most famed breakfast dish is Wuhan hot dry noodles, which come at affordable prices and in large portions. You can have an excellent start to your day by filling yourself with these fragrant noodles.
Yangzhou morning tea by World Federation Of Chinese Catering IndustryWorld Federation of Chinese Catering Industry
Guangdong
In Guangdong, breakfast is typically known as “morning tea,” which usually lasts from morning to noon. The star of the show is steamed rice noodle rolls. A rice noodle sheet is filled with several ingredients and drizzled with sauce. This dish fits right into the rice-centric diet of southern China.
Guangdong Rice Noodle by World Federation Of Chinese Catering IndustryWorld Federation of Chinese Catering Industry
Steamed rice noodle rolls
It is affordable, tasty, and suitable for everyone. This dish is a staple in the daily lives of the locals, who enjoy it everywhere, from humble street stalls to fancy restaurants.
Small hemp ball by World Federation of Chinese Cuisine IndustryWorld Federation of Chinese Catering Industry
Moreover, some breakfast foods have become popular throughout China with little regional differences thanks to the country’s long history of cultural exchange and integration. For example, all types of congee, shaomai, wonton, steamed buns, soy milk, deep-fried dough sticks, fried glutinous rice balls with sesame, and tofu pudding.
How to make noodles?World Federation of Chinese Catering Industry
China’s breakfast culture is shaped by various factors, which has resulted in a rich, diverse range of meal options. The examples described above are only some of the countless breakfast styles you can discover and enjoy.
