The Complete Banquet of Manchurian and Han Specialties – Man Han Quan Xi

Beijing cuisine, one of the eight most famous regional cuisines in China, not only features dishes made from the imperial recipes, but also recipes invented by private chefs hired to work in the residences of high-ranking officials at the imperial courts. Tan's Imperial Cuisine is one of the latter that have been well preserved. It came from Tan Zongjun and his son who were both government officials in the late Qing Dynasty. It has won high praises because: its taste is moderate and therefore, fits the palates of the south and the north; and it emphasizes original flavor and original ingredients so little seasoning is used.

Beijing cuisine, one of the eight most famous regional cuisines in China, not only features dishes made from the imperial recipes, but also recipes invented by private chefs hired to work in the residences of high-ranking officials at the imperial courts. Tan's Imperial Cuisine is one of the latter that have been well preserved. It came from Tan Zongjun and his son who were both government officials in the late Qing Dynasty. It has won high praises because: its taste is moderate and therefore, fits the palates of the south and the north; and it emphasizes original flavor and original ingredients so little seasoning is used.

Vegetarian Food – Su Shi

Vegetarian food has been part of China's ancient culture that emphasizes on health. A vegetarian diet in China mainly consists of vegetables, fruits and nuts, and beancurd. Thanks to a highly sophisticated cooking, Chinese vegetarian diet could be as tasty as any meat dish of other cuisines. But since all its ingredients are natural and some even processed by high technology, vegetarian dishes are usually more nutritious than meat dishes.

Hot Pots – Huo Guo

Hot pots are a winter specialty in the northern China. Cooked in the water or soup in pots made of copper, aluminum or clay are usually such food as lamb, beef, fish, shrimps, beancurd products and fresh vegetables. In Beijing, the most popular is the lamb hot pot. Paper-thin lamb slices could be instantly luscious right after dipping into the hot soup in the pot. A variety of sauces, usually home-made, is available to go with the hot pot. Common ingredients to mix a sauce may include sesame sauce, sesame oil, soy bean sauce, chilly oil, coriander, rice wine, preserved beancurd sauce and sweet garlic. A good blend of sauces would make a hot pot meal more enjoyable.

Refreshments – Dian Xin

Like food in Beijing, the city's pastry is also the product that has absorbed the influences of refreshments from many other regions in China. The most authentic Beijing pastry could be found at Dao Xiang Cun, a legendary name in the city. Xiang Ju Gong and Da Shun Zhai are two famous shops selling pastry of Muslims. The most famous refreshment brand that highlights the imperial recipes is Zheng Ming Zhai, available today in both Beijing's tea houses and supermarkets. Some refreshments are meant for particular holidays in tradition, such as moon cakes, which is a sweet snack for the Moon Festival, a holiday Chinese celebrate the family's reunion in mid-autumn every year.