In Chinese education most topics have a number associated with them and a list of proponent parts to learn. China’s cuisines are no different and the number here is eight. The eight cuisines represent the characteristic food of eight of China’s 22 provinces. The food of the other 14 provinces (not to mention autonomous regions and municipalities) was not deemed sufficiently distinguished or desirable to be included in the canonical list.
What follows is a summary of China’s eight recognized culinary styles, including their shortened names (which correspond to the single character abbreviation for their provinces). The two styles most famous in the West, Cantonese and Sichuan, are at the top. Follow the links for more detailed descriptions and fully translated menus.