Just because Chinese food may not be your cuisine of choice doesn’t mean that you can’t eat well during your holiday or work trip. That being said, it’s important to remember that China is a huge place and there is not just one type of cuisine; the style of food varies quite a bit throughout the country. You may think that you do not like Chinese food because you haven’t enjoyed the dishes or flavors that you have tried in restaurants at home. However, it would be worth doing some further research on the areas that you plan to visit and get a sense of what that particular regional cuisine is like.
There are also some other ways to make sure that you have some culinary alternatives while visiting this beautiful country:
Check Out Non-Chinese Restaurants
In China’s large metropolitan cities, you’ll easily be able to find a huge range of counties and cultures represented in the local food scene. Craving the flavors from home? In Shanghai or Beijing, you’ll have no problem tracking down pasta or steak at everything from inexpensive hole-in-the-wall restaurants to fine dining establishments. Pizza truly seems to be a dish enjoyed by people in every corner of the world, and every city will have at least a few different options.
There are also a number of chain and fast food restaurants across China that you will likely recognize from home, such as Subway, KFC and McDonalds. And while their menus are probably going to be a little bit different than what you’re used to, you’ll also find the standard sandwich or hamburger options that you might be hungry for. Make sure that you talk to your host or the concierge at your hotel for restaurant recommendations; locals will definitely know some nearby alternatives for you to check out.
However, if you’re out and about or in an area where English is hardly spoken, it may be a good idea to know how to say the words of some food options that you are most likely to want to find. By having “pizza” or “grocery store” written in the local language, you can ask a taxi driver or pedestrian to help you find the type of meal options that you may be craving.
Stay in Western-Style Hotels
One sure fire way to make sure that you have Chinese food alternatives during your stay in China is to stay in a hotel that has been designed to cater to Western wants and needs. Check out the larger hotel chains, such as Marriott or Hilton. Not only will these hotels be sure to serve Western-style breakfasts, they will likely have restaurants on-site, with extensive and varied menu options.
Large international hotels normally have a few different restaurant options, including casual bar food (and other late night menus) as well as more upscale white linen dining establishments. Even if you are not staying at an international-style hotel, you can always go to one for lunch or dinner. This is an easy, stress-free option to finding food options that you may be more familiar with during your stay in China.
Try Some Tourist-Friendly Chinese Food
As mentioned earlier, China is a huge and diverse country, with a wide range of cuisine styles and options to choose from. There are also a number of classic Chinese dishes that may be very similar to other types of food that you are more familiar with, and which may not seem distinctly Chinese.
For example, grilled and seasoned barbequed meat can be found across the country. This might seem like something that you’d be more likely to find at your local rib joint than a Chinese restaurant. Other simple dishes, such as steamed vegetables or chicken, might also be a good and easy introduction to the local flavors.
Set Yourself Up to Cook Your Own Meals
In order to make sure that you have full control over the types of food that you enjoy while visiting China, look for opportunities to cook your own meals. Airbnb and other home rental options can be a great way to make sure that you have a kitchen during your stay—not to mention, you’ll likely also get more space and privacy. Home rentals are becoming more and more popular worldwide, and there will likely be options in the areas of China you plan to visit.
Metropolitan areas will also have grocery stores with a large range of international food products. It will probably be more expensive than going out to eat at the local restaurant down the road; however, you’ll know exactly what is going into the preparation of the dish. You should also talk to friends or expats that you may know in the area, they will definitely know some different places that you can go shopping for ingredients that you may be looking for or craving.
Bring Some Food Options with You
You may feel the need to avoid the local cuisine if you have particular food allergies or other dietary restrictions due to medications or physical conditions. It can be difficult to navigate menus and communicate specific dietary restraints or ingredients that are important for you to avoid. If this is the case then it may be a good idea to have some in-case-of-emergency food items on hand while you travel, in the event that you find yourself in unfamiliar territory with no food options that you feel comfortable eating. It is important to make sure that you always have access to some calories and protein in case you start to feel lightheaded or queasy. Granola bars or nuts are great options to have stashed away in your bag, and you’ll feel better just knowing that they’re there.
Ready to Go to China?
By following the tips and tricks above, you’ll be able to travel comfortably and enjoy the types of foods that meet your dietary needs and preferences. Without having to worry about finding meal alternatives, you can focus more on sightseeing and all of the other more exciting parts of your trip!