Is there a naming structure for Chinese restaurants? If so, which regional cuisines do they serve? And, most importantly, what are the prices? I recently took a Geographic Information Systems course at Columbia University, and explored spatial patterns within Chinese restaurants. In the process, I learned about the regional cuisines and regional names of Chinese restaurants. This has helped me to decide on the right restaurant for my next meal. Luckily, there are several resources that I can turn to for guidance.
Chinese restaurant naming structure
When naming a Chinese restaurant, you may see common words that are used by many of the establishments. The word “China” is the most popular choice, appearing in more than 1,500 Chinese restaurant names. Other common words are “express delivery” and “wok.” Besides Chinese characters, the most common words for naming Chinese restaurants are “garden,””house,” and even the name of the proprietor’s dog.
Regional cuisines
Regional Chinese cuisines are distinct types of food from different regions of China. There are a number of styles that influence Chinese food, such as Cantonese, Shandong, Huaiyang, and Szechuan. Although all of these regional cuisines are quite similar in taste, there are differences as well, such as how generous the use of spices is and whether or not meats like pork or chicken are used instead of seafood.
Menus
The menus of Chinese restaurants can reveal some interesting tidbits about Chinese culture. Most have sections for vegetables, meat, and noodle dishes. Popular dishes in Chinese restaurants include sweet and sour pork. Although this dish isn’t actually Chinese, it originated in southern China and was a different shade than the Day-Glo red dishes served today. Many of the early Chinese immigrants to the United States hailed from southern China, and many made their fortunes as farmers and railroad builders.
Prices
Unlike in the West, prices in China are remarkably low. A large meal, including rice, meat, vegetables, and soup, will typically cost around ten yuan. You can also get inexpensive meal combos, which consist of a hamburger, fries, and fried chicken, for as little as seven yuan. Cheaper roadside restaurants usually feature milk tea, which costs about five to ten yuan.
Locations
If you’re looking for a place to enjoy some authentic Chinese cuisine, try searching for local Chinese restaurants. You can browse through Chinese restaurants by location and category, or use advanced search options to find your favorite place. You can narrow down your results to Chinese restaurants by price range, review score, and hours of operation. You can even browse reviews to determine the quality of food and service. Then, just book a table at one of these restaurants and you’ll be ready to chow down on some delicious Chinese cuisine.