Chinese cuisine is undoubtedly more complex than it might seem. The finer foods require attention to subtle details that elevate the dining experience, by finding ways to keep the dishes delicious without compromising on the nutritional benefits.
To enjoy a small bowl of rice, some kind of meat and vegetables is a luxury in itself. Bringing together a group of foods to accentuate taste, delight, aroma and nourishment is the complex simplicity of Chinese cuisine. A good chef knows how much cinnamon, sichuan pepper or fennel to use in a pot au feu, and it takes years of understanding the elements of taste to harmonise a dish. Deciphering the right cooking method is also of key note: shallow frying versus stir fry, simmering versus steaming to attain the right texture and colour.
All in all, the story of Chinese cuisine that has evolved through the centuries has refined a narrative to delight the senses. The cuisine takes us to a place we’ve never been or perhaps, one we know all too well. That is what forms it’s complexity, and its simplicity rests in the joy of eating.
