It's 9 p.m. and your stomach is grumbling with hunger. Despite the numerous Pizza Huts and Papas Johns right around the corner, you still yearn for a classic Chinese takeout, so you call up the "Golden Buddha," order your favorite Kung Pao Chicken and eagerly wait for your meal to be delivered to your door step. "Oh, how delicious it tastes!"
Shockingly, authentic Chinese Cuisine is not all orange chicken, fried rice and chow mien. In reality, there are over 10,000 different dishes influenced by ancient cultures around China, such as the Szechuan style to the Huaiyang tradition that has not been integrated into American Culture. With even more flavor and herbal seasonings, traditional Chinese food is an ultimate revolution for your taste buds.
Though you might think that you're a Chinese takeout expert, how well do you really know your Chinese cuisine? You get one point for every question correct!
Let's start off with something easy...
1. Which dish is portrayed in the picture below?
A. Ramen
B. Chow Mien
C. Lo Mien
D. Stir Fry
Answer: C
2. Which type of wrapped delicacy is shown in the photo below?
A. Xiao Long Bao
B. Steamed Dumplings
C. Wontons
D. Bao Zi
Answer: C
OK, it's getting a little harder!
3. Where would you most likely find this grilled whole fish?
A. Beijing, China
B. Shanghai, China
C. Hanzhou, China
D. Szechuan, China
Answer: D
4. What is commonly found inside this Char Siu Bun?
A. Beef
B. Pork
C. Chicken
D. Fish
Answer: B
5. What is in this soup?
A. Ox tail
B. Pork Neck
C. Beef Hide
D. Ribs
Answer: A
6. What is this?
A. Sardines
B. Pork Ears
C. Beef Calves
D. Chicken Feet
Answer: D
7. What is Shanghai famous for?
A. Xiao Long Bao (Soup Dumplings)
B. Ha Gao (Shrimp Dumplings)
C. Jiao Zi (Steamed Dumpings)
D. Bao Zi (Steamed Buns)
Answer: A
8. What is this costly seafood that is often served with soups and stir fry?
A. Sea Urchin
B. Shark Eggs
C. Sea Cucumber
D. Abalone
Answer: C
9. Which of these dishes costs over $2000 per kilogram?
A. Abalone
B. Swallow's Nest
C. Shrimp Shells
D. Ginseng
Answer: B
Alright, heading into the final three! Can you make it?
10. What is this and what is it usually eaten with?
A. Quail Egg, Soups
B. Salted Duck Egg, Noodles
C. Century Egg, Porridge
D. Soy Sauce Shell, Seasoning
Answer: C
11. What is the name of this common breakfast?
A. Chinese Doughnut Sticks
B. Congee
C. Scallion Pancakes
D. Char Siu
Answer: A
12. What is dim sum?
A. Guangzhou style lunch consisting of only wrapped side dishes of various fillings, such as pork, beef, and fish.
B. Shanghai original tradition that utilizes bamboo baskets to steam freshly made large dishes, such as Beef Noodles
C. Cantonese originated lunch that uses bamboo baskets and metal bowls to steam bite-sized portions of various snacks, such as Shrimp Dumplings.
D. Taiwanese adapted cuisine that includes only seafood filled steamed dumplings and buns at a low cost.
Answer: C
Congrats, you made it to the end!
How many points did you score?
0-3 points: Eh, your Chinese cuisine knowledge is at the basic level; however, your culinary style ranks as the best! You mainly learned from observation and connections between looks and taste. Perhaps Panda Express or your local Americanized Chinese restaurant is your "go-to," but that's OK! Anyway, who needs to know the history of what you're eating, right?
4-7 points: Congrats, you have made it to the average mark! You know more than the normal Chinese takeout lover, but still not enough to make you a true culinary master. You tend to try new Chinese dishes despite their foreign names, and you try to appreciate what type of tradition is ingrained in your dish. Study a little harder, and you're almost there!
8-10 points: Wow! You basically got a majority of the questions right! You don't have to worry about your Chinese cuisine knowledge as it is better than adequate. Sounds like your love for this culinary tradition has been with you for quite a while. Keep it up!
11-12 points: Holy moly, you have Chinese tradition infused in your veins! You're obviously not new to this, so go and expand your horizons to dishes that trace to the root of Chinese cuisine. Your friends will be jealous of your astounding understanding and knowledge as you'll be the one they go to for authentic Chinese restaurant recommendations. High five to you!
