The majority of Chinese people love eating spicy food. They usually involve a lot of spicy condiments and chili oil in their cooking methods. It’s because spicy food helps warm them up on cold and rainy days.
This post is a must-read if you love spicy food and Chinese culinary culture. I will introduce the 10 spicy dishes with the finest flavors in this list.
They combine a lot of ingredients like spices, meat, and veggies to give you a flavorful and satisfying meal. Now, let’s dwell on the top dishes.
Top 10 Spicy Chinese Dishes
I prioritize the spicy level and popularity of the dishes when researching for this post. Their spiciness comes from many ingredients, such as dried chili pepper, chili oil, and special spices.
Tasting these dishes, you will experience sweating and mind-numbing. So, ensure you can tolerate their fierce spicy taste.
1. Dandan Noodles
Dandan noodles are commonly known as “carrying-pole noodles.” This dish originated from Sichuan cuisine, featuring a spicy sauce mixed with veggies and mustard stems.
Most dan dan noodles variations consist of minced pork and scallions. Meanwhile, Sichuan pepper and chili oil are two indispensable ingredients to create their spicy taste.
2. Hot and Sour Fish Soup
This is my favorite spicy Chinese dish on this list. A hot and spicy fish soup can warm your heart on freezing days. It’s also food for the soul with a soothing effect and satisfying flavors.
3. Spicy Diced Chicken
Also known as mala chicken, this dish features a generous portion of dried chilies mixed with Sichuan pepper. The classic versions of this dish involve small chicken pieces mixed with a lot of dried chilies.
Therefore, don’t be surprised that the amount of chilies is sometimes more abundant than chicken. With additional seasonings like soy sauce and ginger, this dish will fascinate ardent Sichuan cuisine lovers.
4. Honey Chili Potato
Honey chili potato is a favorite dish for both Chinese children and adults. This dish consists of fried potatoes mixed with sweet honey and chili sauce. There are a few chopped green onions for garnishing.
The mild sweetness of fried tomatoes combines with the hot chili sauce like magic in this dish. Plus, you will also love its crunchy texture in each bite.
5. Saliva Chicken
Here comes another excellent spicy dish that originated from Sichuan province. Saliva chicken consists of poached chicken mixed with a special spicy vinegar sauce.
The tastiness of saliva chicken depends mainly on its sauce. To make this sauce, you must combine black vinegar, sesame oil, seasonings, and a lot of chili peppers in the right ratio.
6. Mapo Tofu
Sichuan is the hometown of various popular Chinese dishes, including Mapo tofu. This dish involves the region’s signature spice, Sichuan peppercorn, giving it a satisfying and numbing effect.
Sichuan peppercorn brings Mapo tofu a spicy, fragrant, and fabulous aroma. Even for spicy eaters, this dish will numb your tongue and turn up the heat.
7. Spicy Garlic Tofu
The spicy garlic tofu is a variation of the original Mapo tofu, a very popular dish in Sichuan province. The soul of this dish lies in its spiciness and the garlicky undertone.
The chefs will slice tofu into beautiful, tiny cubes to make this dish. Then, they will stir-fry them with ground pork, garlic, and spicy bean sauce. Some variations also add Shaoxing wine to enhance the flavors.
8. Chinese Pork Belly
Pork belly contains a high-fat percentage, featuring a greasy and meaty flavor. Therefore, mixing pork belly with spicy seasonings and rice wine is the best way to reduce its fatty taste.
An authentic Chinese pork belly dish should have a beautiful reddish color. You can serve this dish with white rice and veggies for a rich and filling meal.
9. Sichuan Hot Pot
Sichuan hot pot is one of the most popular dishes in Asian countries and China. You can put any ingredient in a hot pot, such as noodles, meat, veggies, and seafood.
Sichuan hot pot features Sichuan peppercorns and the mentioned components. This dish is suitable for intimate dining parties and is very popular in Chinese restaurants.
10. Sichuan Boiled Beef
The Chinese name for Sichuan boiled beef is “Shui Zhu Niu Rou,” or water-boiled beef. Though its name may sound plain, this dish is extremely flavorful with a pungent and aromatic scent.
The boiled beef slices feature a succulent texture, while the veggies are crispy. Sichuan boiled beef is super spicy due to the use of dried chili and peppercorn.
What are the Health Benefits of Eating Spicy Foods?
The plus point of spicy food doesn’t lie in its tastiness only. Consuming spicy dishes can bring you some significant health benefits and boosts. The sections below will give you more insights.
Kills Bacteria
Chilies pepper and spicy spices contain a lot of antimicrobial elements. This substance will help you resist bacteria more effectively. They also provide your body with an abundant source of antioxidants.
Enhance Metabolism
Eating spicy food enhances your metabolism’s functions. You can use spices like cinnamon, cumin, chilies, and peppers to achieve the highest effects. In the long run, an enhanced metabolism system can help you lose weight faster.
Pain Relief
Both science and ancient myths approve that eating spicy food can relieve the pain in your muscles and certain organs. It can also desensitize the nerves in your skin and soothe mild pains.
Final Thoughts
Spicy food can warm up your soul and body when the weather gets cold. It can also increase the antibacterial capacity and bring many other health benefits. Besides, the spicy undertone of these dishes makes them much tastier.
The 10 spicy dishes in this list are diverse, ranging from chicken to tofu and hotpot. You can even recreate their flavors at home and give your loved ones an accommodating meal. Thank you for reading!