Xiaolongbao are soup-filled dumplings originating from the 19th-century Nan Xiang, what is today Shanghai's Jiading district. It is believed that the first form of xiaolongbao was sold by Huang Mingxian, a shop owner who wanted to evolve the classic dumpling due to the increased competition of neighboring vendors.

The dumplings are usually filled with a large volume of soup and minced pork, then steamed in a specially-designed bamboo steamer. Sometimes, xiaolongbao can also be filled with crab or shrimp meat. The dough is quite thin, and it is believed that it should be thicker than tang bao, but not as thick as shen jian bao. 

Stir-fry shrimps or you bao xia is a Chinese dish where whole shrimps are stir-fried in a wok until crispy. They are then soaked in a savory sauce that typically consists of chicken broth, black vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, and Shaoxing wine.

Scallions and ginger slices are often used during the cooking process, but they might also be used as garnishes before the dish is served. Stir-fry shrimps are especially popular at Chinese New Year celebrations.

Yangzhou fried rice is a Chinese dish consisting of rice, eggs, and vegetables such as carrots, mushrooms, peas, while the common additions also include shrimps, meat, scallions, and Chinese ham. Traditional versions sometimes may incorporate sea cucumbers, crab meat, and bamboo shoots.

It is believed that the dish originates from General Yang Su of the Sui Dynasty. Because it was one of his favorite dishes, he introduced it to the Yangzhou culture when he patroled Jiangdu with Emperor Yangdi. Originally, it was a peasant food prepared with leftover rice combined with small bits of meat and vegetables. 

Scallion pancake is a Chinese unleavened flatbread made from wheat flour which is folded with oil and finely minced scallions. Bell peppers, fennel, and sesame seeds are some of the ingredients that are also often included in this pancake. It is usually served piping hot, cut into pieces or wedges, and served with a soy-based sauce.

Although the origins of scallion pancake are still quite murky, most people believe that it originated in Shanghai, due to the fact that scallion pancakes are very similar to the Indian paratha flatbread. Because of its unique flavor and texture, scallion pancake is one of the most popular street food items in China and Taiwan.

The traditional Hangzhou's trademark dish of red-cooked pork belly, Dōngpō ròu, is built with a handful of Chinese staple ingredients like ginger, scallions, soy sauce and, most importantly, Shàoxīng rice cooking wine, an essential ingredient for red-cooked meals.

The meat (with the skin on) is typically browned in fat, simmered twice, braised, sautéed, and finally steamed, after which it becomes so amazingly tender it can be pulled away with chopsticks. Dōngpō ròu is said to have been invented (or at least inspired) by Su Dongpo, an 11th-century Song Dynasty statesman, poet, artist, calligrapher, and one of the four classical Chinese gastronomes. 

Known as a common snack food in Northern China, shaobing is a type of layered flatbread, typically topped with sesame seeds. It is made with multiple layers of dough brushed with sesame paste and resembles a flattened bread roll. Shaobing originated in the Shandong province, but today it can be found at numerous street stalls throughout the country.

In fact, depending on the region, shaobing can be enjoyed in many different ways. In southern China, it is a popular breakfast choice, served with soy milk or tea and often stuffed with sweet fillings such as red bean, black sesame, or jujube (red date) paste. 

Zhajiangmian is a Shandong specialt, consisting of wheat noodles in soybean sauce and vegetables such as summer radish and sliced cucumbers. The sauce is usually made by cooking ground pork or beef in combination with fermented soybean paste. There is also a vegetarian version of the dish that substitutes the meat with smoked tofu in the production of the sauce.

Although the dish is native to China, it was embraced by the Koreans 100 years ago, when it was introduced to them by Shandong immigrants. In Korea, the dish is known as ja jang myun, and it is extremely popular because it is cheap, convenient, and casual. 

Contrary to what one might think upon hearing the name of the dish, lion's head is a meal consisting of big pork meatballs that are stewed with noodles and vegetables such as cabbage. It dates back to the times of the Sui Dynasty, when Emperor Yang took a trip to Yangzhou and made his chefs prepare a dish that was inspired by the Yangzhou landscapes, which he loved.

The meatballs looked similar to the Chinese guardian lion's head, so the name stuck until today. In China, there are two versions of the dish - one is served in a rich, brown sauce (Zhenjiang variety), and the other in a lighter broth (Yangzhou variety). 

Despite its unusual name, tea is not the dominant flavor in tea egg, a popular, traditional snack item that originated in Zhejiang, but is found throughout China. The snack consists of an egg that is hard-boiled in (usually black) tea, soy sauce, and numerous spices such as anise, cinnamon, cloves, fennel, and peppercorns, which add a savory, slightly salty note to a normal egg.

Tea egg is usually sold by street vendors, but it can also be found in numerous Chinese markets and Asian restaurants. It is commonly consumed on its own or served with accompaniments such as noodles or rice. Traditionally, tea eggs are eaten during Chinese New Year, symbolizing wealth, prosperity, and fertility.