Terri Ramsey Beavers 
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The first thing that needs to be mentioned is that the Chinese food in China bears almost no resemblance to the Chinese food you enjoy at home. Forget chicken balls and sweet and sour sauce, and beef curry. The chances are your average Chinese person in China have never heard of these anglicized dishes never mind eaten them.
If you ever visit China, you will find a larger variety of food that you would have ever thought possible. China is a vast country, and this is reflected in its diverse cuisine. The best way to sample this diverse range of food, or at least as much as you possibly can, is choose one of the many high quality escorted private guided tours in China. Your personal tour guide will be able to recommend foods that originate from all parts of China and give you the chance to experience the real taste of the orient. Of course, what food you eat depends a lot on what areas you visit, but an experienced tour guide should be able to guide you towards pockets of regional cuisine, especially in big cities such as Beijing and Shanghai.
Please see below for a list of foods that you simply must try if you visit China.
10 of the Best Culinary Delights to Try in China
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- Hotpot – Meat and Vegetables cooked in a broth – unarguably the most popular dish in China
- Shrimp Vermicelli with Garlic – A dish best eaten on or near the coast – Fantastic
- Sichuan Pork – Fried pork and vegetables served with red chili in a spicy sauce
- Dumplings – for sale everywhere, from the lowly street stand to the 5 Star hotel restaurants
- Braised Pork Balls with Gravy – Delicious meat balls
- Peking Roasted Duck – Epitomises the taste of China
- Chow Mein – A staple in almost every part of the country
- Spring Rolls – Fresh or Fried – Delicious with sweet chili dipping sauce
- Wontons – Similar in appearance to dumplings and just as tasty
- Ma Po Tofu – Possibly the most popular vegetarian dish in the country
The More Exotic Options
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You will probably have heard of the more exotic culinary treats available in China such as snake, sparrow, scorpion and more and some of them actually aren’t bad! But it’s worth bearing in mind that some endangered species also find their way onto some menus so please consider this before you opt for some exotic dish. It is unlikely that you will see any endangered animals on the menu as your private tour guide will be fully aware of these places and steer well clear.
To sum up, you won’t go hungry in China. There is something to suit absolutely every palate and a mind-boggling selection of vegetarian and seafood dishes to choose from as well. If you’d like to try any food at all, all you need to do is ask your private tour guide and he will do his best to help you fulfil your culinary expectations.