Author
Sarah Chen
Regional Chinese cuisine researcher · Food & culture writer · 600+ regional dishes catalogued across 28 provinces · First-hand dietary-restriction research (vegetarian, halal, gluten-free)
Sarah Chen has spent the last decade exploring regional Chinese cuisines, from the lamb skewers of Kashgar night markets to the delicate soup dumplings of Suzhou and the fiery hotpot of Chongqing. She writes food and culture guides grounded in repeated trips — not aggregated blog posts — and has catalogued over 600 regional dishes across 28 provinces. Her dietary-restriction primers (vegetarian, halal, gluten-free) are built from first-hand restaurant trials.
Expertise
- Regional Chinese cuisines and where to eat them
- Vegetarian, halal, and allergy-safe travel in China
- Traveling with kids and family-friendly destinations
- Night markets and street food across China
Articles (11)
China Food Guide: Regional Cuisines
Chinese cuisine is not one cuisine — it is at least eight major regional traditions, each with distinct flavors, techniques, and signature dishes. Here is a practical guide to eating well, plus tips for vegetarians, vegans, and travelers with allergies.
China with Kids: Family Guide
How to travel China with children: booking child train and flight tickets, finding family-friendly hotels, navigating stroller-friendly attractions, and handling medical emergencies.
China Shopping Guide
How to shop in China as a foreign visitor: instant tax refunds at the airport, where to find authentic goods, how to spot counterfeits, and the best markets for tea, silk, electronics, and antiques.
China Business Etiquette Guide
Doing business in China as a foreigner: meeting protocols, business card etiquette, banquet customs, WeChat relationship-building, and gift-giving rules.
China Vegetarian Guide
Vegetarianism in China is harder than in the West but doable. Here is what to eat, where to find pure-veg restaurants, and which dishes to avoid (most "veg" dishes use garlic, pork, or oyster sauce).
China Night Markets Guide
Chinese night markets are a 1,000+ year tradition. The best ones combine street food, souvenirs, and people-watching. Here are the 8 that are worth planning a trip around.
China Tipping Guide
Tipping is not customary in mainland China. Tipping can sometimes be refused. In tourist areas, some restaurants and hotels add 10-15% service charge. Here is the practical etiquette.
China with a Toddler Guide
Traveling to China with a toddler is doable but requires planning. Stroller accessibility varies, baby supplies are widely available, and high-speed rail is preferable to flights. Here is the practical guide from parents who have done it.
China Muslim Travel Guide
China has 25-50 million Muslims, mostly Hui in the northwest and Uyghur in Xinjiang. Halal food is widely available in Xi'an, Ningxia, and Xinjiang. The major mosques in Xi'an and Beijing are tourist attractions themselves.
China Honeymoon Destinations
China is not the most obvious honeymoon destination but offers remarkable romance: Yangshuo karst valleys, Lijiang old town, Hangzhou West Lake, Sanya beaches. The visa-free policy makes logistics easy. Here are the most romantic itineraries and what to expect.
China Shopping & Bargaining Guide
China is a great shopping destination — silk, tea, jade, electronics, and Chinese luxury brands are all worth buying. Bargaining is expected at markets and small shops but not at malls. Here is the practical guide to authentic goods, fair prices, and avoiding fakes.