Traditonal/Festival foods
What dumpling-shaped food is traditionally eaten during Chinese New Year for wealth?
Jiaozi (饺子)
Which province is known for its spicy and numbing cuisine using Sichuan peppercorns?
Sichuan (四川)
What popular dish in America combines fried chicken with a sweet tangy sauce and isn’t traditional in China?
General Tso’s Chicken (左宗棠鸡)
What should you never stick upright in a bowl of rice because it resembles incense for the dead?
Chopsticks (筷子)
What beverage is China most famous for, often served at all meals?
Tea (茶)
What sweet rice ball dessert is eaten during the Lantern Festival?
Tangyuan (汤圆)
Which southern region is famous for light, fresh flavors and dim sum?
Cantonese / Guangdong (广东)
What American-Chinese dish uses fortune messages, but is not eaten in China?
Fortune cookies
Who should begin eating first at a formal Chinese meal?
The eldest or most respected person
Which tea is famous for its fermented, earthy flavor and comes from Yunnan?
Pu’er tea (普洱茶)
What moon-shaped pastry is eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival?
Mooncake (月饼)
Which cuisine, known for sour and spicy flavors, comes from Hunan province?
Hunan (湖南)
What “fusion” food mixes Chinese stir-fry with Western noodles or bread (like chow mein sandwiches)?
Chop suey / chow mein sandwich
What gesture shows respect when someone pours you tea?
Tapping your fingers on the table
Which type of tea is only partially oxidized, between green and black tea?
Oolong tea (乌龙茶)
What food is eaten during the Dragon Boat Festival to honor Qu Yuan?
Zongzi (粽子)
What type of cuisine is famous in Shanghai, known for its sweet soy-based dishes?
Hu (沪菜) / Shanghai cuisine
What Southeast Asian dish shows Chinese influence through wok-fried noodles with soy sauce and eggs?
Pad Thai (influenced by Chinese stir-frying)
In Chinese culture, is it polite to finish all the food on your plate?
Not always — leaving a little shows you’re full
In Chinese tea ceremonies, what does serving tea symbolize?
Respect, gratitude, or apology
What long food symbolizes longevity and is often served at birthdays?
Longevity noodles (长寿面)
Which region’s cuisine uses lamb and dairy heavily, influenced by nomadic culture?
Inner Mongolia (内蒙古)
What is the name for dishes like “Kung Pao Chicken” that were adapted abroad for local tastes?
Fusion cuisine (融合菜)
When using a communal dish, what should you do with your chopsticks before serving yourself?
Use the opposite end or serving utensils
What province is considered the birthplace of tea?
Sichuan (四川) or Yunnan (云南)