10 Must-Try Chinese Dishes for Foreigners (With Ordering Tips)

DimSumDave

China's food scene is overwhelming – in a good way! Here are 10 dishes I recommend to every first-time visitor, plus how to order them.

1. Peking Duck (北京烤鸭)
Where: Beijing – Quanjude or Dadong
How to eat: Pancake + duck skin + cucumber + hoisin sauce
Price: $20-40 per duck

2. Xiaolongbao (小笼包) – Soup dumplings
Where: Shanghai – Din Tai Fung or Jia Jia Tang Bao
Order tip: Bite a small hole, blow, then eat whole
Price: $5-10 for 8 pieces

3. Sichuan Hot Pot (四川火锅)
Where: Chengdu or Chongqing – Haidilao is tourist-friendly
What to order: Lamb slices, beef tripe, mushrooms, leafy greens
Warning: Spicy level 1 is still VERY spicy!

4. Lanzhou Hand-Pulled Noodles (兰州拉面)
Where: Any Lanzhou noodle shop (look for the hanging cleaver icon)
Order tip: Say "da xiao liang jiao" for large portion with little spice
Price: $3-5 per bowl

5. Dim Sum (点心)
Where: Hong Kong or Guangzhou – Tim Ho Wan (Michelin-starred and cheap!)
Must-try: Har gow (shrimp dumplings), siu mai (pork dumplings), egg tarts

6-10. Other classics:** Mapo Tofu, Gongbao Chicken (Kung Pao), Wonton Soup, Fried Rice, Jianbing (morning crepe)

Useful Chinese phrases (just point and say these):**
"Zhe ge" – this one (pointing at menu)
"Bu la" – not spicy
"Mai dan" – check please

What's your favorite Chinese dish? I'm always looking for new recommendations!