The Most Delicious Chinese Food, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the food you think is the most delicious!

Updated on May 6, 2024 06:23

When deciding what to eat, the sheer number of choices can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to Chinese cuisine. With such a rich variety of flavors, ingredients, and cooking techniques, identifying the standout dishes is not only a personal journey but a communal question. A ranked list, built from collective input, helps clarify which dishes might rise above the rest based on widespread preferences. By participating in voting for your favorite dishes, you contribute to a dynamic, collectively-curated list that reflects the opinions and tastes of a diverse crowd. This process not only guides newcomers to Chinese cuisine but also invites seasoned food lovers to affirm or discover new favorites. The continuous influx of votes ensures the ranking remains current, adapting to new tastes and discoveries.

What Is the Most Delicious Chinese Food?

1

76
votes
Vitquaytothi · CC BY-SA 4.0

Peking Duck

This famous dish features crispy duck skin and succulent meat wrapped in thin pancakes, along with scallions and sauce. It is a must-try for anyone visiting China or a Chinese restaurant.
Peking Duck is a famous Chinese dish that is known for its succulent and crispy roasted duck. The dish originated in Beijing, China, and is renowned for its rich flavors and unique cooking process.

Cooking method: Peking Duck is traditionally roasted using an open fire or a closed oven.

Preparation: The duck is marinated with a combination of spices and then air-dried to achieve its signature crispy skin.

Serving style: Peking Duck is typically served with thin pancakes, spring onions, cucumber, and hoisin sauce.

Carving technique: The duck is usually carved tableside by a skilled chef, ensuring each slice contains both crispy skin and tender meat.

Flavor profile: Peking Duck offers a perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors, with the crispy skin providing a delightful crunch.
Peking Duck in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular duck dish
- Position 1 of 10 in Most delicious bird
- Position 4 of 10 in Most difficult dish to cook
2

38
votes
N509FZ · CC BY-SA 4.0

Kung Pao Chicken

Li Shunqing

This spicy and savory dish features tender chunks of chicken, stir-fried with peanuts, vegetables, and chili peppers. It is a favorite among Chinese food lovers.
Kung Pao Chicken is a popular Chinese dish that originates from the Sichuan province. It is a stir-fry dish made with diced chicken, peanuts, vegetables, and a flavorful sauce. The dish is known for its bold and spicy flavors, balanced with a hint of sweetness.

Main ingredients: Chicken, peanuts, vegetables

Flavor: Bold, spicy, and slightly sweet

Cooking method: Stir-fry

Region of origin: Sichuan province, China

Heat level: Moderate to high
Kung Pao Chicken in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular Chinese chicken dish
- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular dish at Panda Express
- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular dish at PF Chang's
- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular Chinese food in America
3

22
votes
NeoBatfreak · CC BY-SA 4.0

Hot and Sour Soup

This classic soup is made with a flavorful broth, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, tofu, and spices. It is tangy, spicy, and comforting, perfect for cold days.
Hot and Sour Soup is a popular Chinese soup that is known for its spicy and tangy flavors. It is a thick soup packed with various ingredients and is often served as an appetizer. The soup has a rich and complex flavor profile, combining heat from chili peppers, tanginess from vinegar, and a subtle sweetness.

Region of origin: China

Main ingredients: Mushrooms, tofu, bamboo shoots, eggs, vinegar, chili peppers, soy sauce

Consistency: Thick and hearty

Flavor profile: Spicy, tangy, and slightly sweet

Texture: Smooth with various ingredients adding crunchiness
Hot and Sour Soup in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular Chinese soup
- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular Chinese food in America
4

25
votes
Kolumbusjogger · CC BY-SA 3.0

Dim Sum

This popular Cantonese cuisine consists of small bite-sized dishes served in bamboo baskets. It includes dumplings, buns, rolls, and other delicacies, perfect for sharing with friends and family.
Dim sum is a style of Chinese cuisine that consists of a variety of bite-sized dishes traditionally served in small steamer baskets or on small plates. It originated in the southern region of China and is now popular worldwide. Dim sum is often enjoyed as a brunch or lunch meal, and it is commonly served in tea houses or Cantonese-style restaurants. The dishes are typically prepared in small portions, allowing diners to enjoy a wide variety of flavors and textures in one sitting.

Steamed Dumplings: Dim sum often includes various types of steamed dumplings, such as siu mai and har gow, which are filled with ingredients like pork, shrimp, or vegetables.

Steamed Buns: Another popular dim sum item is the steamed bun, known as baozi or bao. These fluffy and filled buns can contain a variety of fillings, such as barbecued pork, custard, or red bean paste.

Rice Noodle Rolls: Rice noodle rolls, also known as cheong fun, are delicate and silky rolls filled with ingredients like shrimp, beef, or vegetables. They are often served with a flavorful soy-based sauce.

Sticky Rice: Sticky rice, or lo mai gai, is another common dim sum dish. It consists of glutinous rice stuffed with ingredients like chicken, mushroom, and Chinese sausage, all wrapped in a lotus leaf and steamed.

Spare Ribs: Dim sum often includes spare ribs, which are marinated in a savory sauce and then steamed to achieve tenderness. They are usually served in small portions for easy sharing.
Dim Sum in other rankings
- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular Chinese food in America
5

16
votes
Archon6812 · CC BY-SA 3.0

Mapo Tofu

This Sichuan dish features soft tofu cubes in a spicy sauce made with chili bean paste, ground pork, and Sichuan peppercorns. It is a flavorful and satisfying dish.
Mapo Tofu is a popular and flavorful Chinese dish consisting of silken tofu cooked in a spicy and numbing sauce, typically made with fermented black beans, chili oil, garlic, and Sichuan peppercorns. It is often garnished with minced meat and scallions, providing a unique combination of smooth and soft tofu with a spicy kick.

Region: Sichuan Province, China

Texture: Soft tofu with a silky texture

Flavor: Spicy, numbing, and savory

Key ingredients: Silken tofu, fermented black beans, chili oil, garlic, Sichuan peppercorns

Garnish: Minced meat and scallions
6

9
votes
roland from New Town Bakery & Restaurant in Vancouver · CC BY 2.0

Chow Mein

This popular noodle dish features stir-fried egg noodles with vegetables, meat, and sauce. It is a staple in Chinese takeout menus and can be customized to your liking.
Chow Mein is a popular Chinese dish that consists of stir-fried noodles, typically made from wheat flour or egg noodles. It is known for its savory and slightly crispy texture, achieved by stir-frying the noodles with various ingredients such as vegetables, meat, and soy sauce. Chow Mein can be found in different variations and flavors across different regions of China and is widely enjoyed around the world.

Noodle Type: Wheat flour or egg noodles

Cooking Method: Stir-fried

Texture: Savory and slightly crispy

Ingredients: Vegetables, meat, soy sauce

Region: Popular in various regions of China
7

11
votes
SauceSupreme · CC BY 2.0

Spring Rolls

These crispy and crunchy rolls are filled with vegetables, meat, and sometimes noodles or shrimp. They are a popular appetizer or snack and can be fried or baked.
Spring rolls are a popular Chinese appetizer that consists of a thin, crispy outer wrapping, usually made from wheat flour or rice paper, filled with a mixture of ingredients such as vegetables, meat, seafood, or a combination of these. The rolls are then deep-fried until golden brown, resulting in a crunchy exterior that contrasts with the flavorful, savory filling.

Type: Appetizer

Wrapper: Thin wheat flour or rice paper

Filling: Vegetables, meat, seafood, or combination

Cooking Method: Deep-fried

Texture: Crispy exterior, tender filling
8

7
votes
Vyacheslav Argenberg · CC BY 4.0

Fried Rice

This classic dish features steamed rice stir-fried with vegetables, meat, and egg. It is a comforting and filling dish that can be found in Chinese restaurants worldwide.
Fried rice is a popular Chinese dish made by stir-frying cooked rice with a variety of ingredients. It is typically seasoned with soy sauce, and can include vegetables, meat, or seafood for added flavor and texture.

Main Ingredients: Cooked rice, soy sauce, vegetables, meat or seafood

Cooking Method: Stir-frying

Preparation Time: Varies, generally around 15-20 minutes

Flavor: Savory and aromatic

Texture: Tender rice with a slightly crispy exterior
Fried Rice in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular Asian dish
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular Chinese food in America
- Position 7 of 10 in Most popular dish at PF Chang's
- Position 10 of 10 in Most delicious food in Nigeria
9

4
votes
Qinrong0115 · CC BY-SA 4.0

Ma La Xiang Guo

This spicy and fragrant dish is a popular street food in China. It consists of stir-fried vegetables, meat, and noodles in a spicy and numbing sauce made with Sichuan peppercorns and chili peppers.
Ma La Xiang Guo, also known as 'spicy numbing stir-fry', is a popular Chinese dish known for its bold and vibrant flavors. It is a type of dry stir-fry dish that originated from China's Sichuan province.

Spiciness: The dish is characterized by its intense spiciness, owing to the generous use of Sichuan peppercorns and dried chili peppers.

Numbing Sensation: The Ma La Xiang Guo delivers a unique numbing sensation, caused by the Sichuan peppercorns, which creates a balanced and addictive flavor profile.

Variety of Ingredients: The dish offers a wide array of ingredients that can be customized according to personal preference, including meat, seafood, vegetables, and various spices.

Heat Level Customization: Diners can choose their preferred level of spiciness by adjusting the amount of chili peppers or even opting for a non-spicy version.

Complex Flavor Profile: Ma La Xiang Guo is famous for its complex flavor profile, featuring a harmonious blend of spicy, numbing, salty, sweet, and sometimes sour notes.
10

4
votes
Xiaolongbao

These steamed buns are filled with juicy pork, soup, and spices. They are a favorite in Shanghai and can be found in Chinese restaurants worldwide.
Xiaolongbao is a traditional Chinese steamed bun filled with flavorful broth and ground meat, usually pork. It is a popular delicacy known for its tender skin and intense burst of savory soup when bitten into. The wrapper is delicate and thin, while the filling is rich and aromatic.

Origin: Shanghai, China

Primary ingredients: Ground pork, broth, gelatinized aspic

Wrapper: Thin and delicate

Filling: Juicy, flavorful, and aromatic

Cooking method: Steamed

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Discussion

Ranking factors for delicious food

Flavor profile

The taste and balance of flavors in a dish, such as sweet, sour, salty, spicy, and umami, is crucial for ranking delicious Chinese food. A well-crafted dish should have a harmonious and rich flavor that appeals to the palate.
Taste

Consider the freshness of ingredients, the appropriateness of seasoning, and the overall satisfaction of eating the dish.
Texture

Chinese cuisine values a variety of textures, so a delicious dish will have an appealing and well-balanced texture. This could include the tenderness of meat, crunchiness of vegetables, and smoothness of sauces.
Aroma

A delightful and enticing aroma is an essential factor in assessing the deliciousness of Chinese food. The aroma can come from spices, seasonings, or cooking methods such as frying, steaming, or stewing.
Presentation

Chinese cuisine places great emphasis on the visual appeal of a dish. The presentation should be eye-catching, well-arranged, and may have artistic elements that show the chef's creativity.
Authenticity

Consider how well a dish represents traditional Chinese cooking techniques, flavors, and ingredients. An authentic dish stays true to its regional style and showcases Chinese culinary heritage.
Complexity

Some Chinese dishes require intricate preparation techniques and can take hours or even days to prepare. The level of complexity and skill required to execute the dish can be a factor in ranking its deliciousness.
Regional diversity

China has a vast culinary landscape, with different regions having their unique flavors and dishes. Consider the uniqueness and taste of a dish that is specific to a region or province.
Innovation

Some chefs may put a creative twist on traditional dishes, leading to a new and exciting flavor experience. Innovation and creativity can add to the deliciousness of a Chinese dish.
Personal preference

Finally, personal tastes and preferences will influence how delicious you find a particular Chinese dish. Your previous experiences with Chinese food may shape your opinion on what makes a dish genuinely delicious.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most delicious Chinese food. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or food is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

2059 views
211 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each food once every 24 hours. The rank of each food is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most delicious chinese food

Chinese cuisine is one of the most popular and diverse cuisines in the world, with a long history dating back to over 5,000 years. It is characterized by its rich flavors, unique cooking techniques, and use of fresh ingredients. Chinese food is also known for its regionality, with each area of China having its own distinct culinary traditions and specialties. When it comes to the most delicious Chinese food, there are countless options to choose from. Some of the most popular dishes include Chinese dumplings, Peking duck, Kung Pao chicken, and hot pot. Other iconic Chinese dishes include steamed buns, fried rice, and noodle soups. Chinese cuisine is also famous for its use of spices and seasonings, such as ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and five-spice powder. These ingredients add depth and complexity to the flavors of Chinese dishes. Overall, Chinese cuisine is a delightful blend of flavors, textures, and aromas that are sure to please any palate. Whether you're a fan of spicy dishes or prefer something more mild, there's a Chinese dish out there that's perfect for you.