Chi: A Chinese Food Journey: 20 Iconic Dishes. 20 Timeless Stories. One Culture.

by Andrea Tang

A Chinese Food Journey is your passport into the heart of Chinese cuisine, blending beloved recipes with the rich traditions behind them.

This isn’t just a cookbook. It’s part recipe collection, part culture guide, and part food love letter—from dumplings to hotpot, from ancient kitchen rituals to milk tea obsessions.

Inside you’ll
20 iconic dishes with their origin stories and cultural meaning, all beautifully brought to life with stunning watercolor illustrations
A crash course in Chinese food philosophy, from yin-yang balance to food-as-medicine
Everyday etiquette, family traditions, and how food brings people together
Tips to cook authentic Chinese dishes—even in a small Western kitchen

Whether you're a foodie, a culture lover, or just curious why Chinese people say “Have you eaten?” instead of “How are you?”, this book has something for you.

It’s warm. It’s tasty. It’s deeply human.
And it just might change how you see Chinese food forever.

About the Author

Andrea J. Tang is a lifelong traveler and food lover who believes every dish tells a story—and the best ones are wrapped in memory, laughter, and love.

With an engineering background and a master’s degree from Durham University in England, Andrea brings both heart and curiosity to her journey through cuisine and culture. She speaks English, Chinese, and Japanese, and has wandered markets across Asia, Europe, and North America, always chasing the perfect bite and the story behind it.

When she’s not working, you’ll find her cooking for the people she loves, painting between sips of milk tea, or planning her next adventure. Her kitchen motto? Cook for love, eat with joy.

Contents

Acknowledgements
Chapter 1: The Spirit of Chinese Food
Five Flavors, Five The Balance Within
Heat & Food as Medicine
North vs. A Culinary Map of China
Ritual, Respect, and the Round Table
From Chinatown to Chinese Food in a Global World
In Every Grain, a Story
Chapter 2: Twenty Dishes, A Thousand Flavors
Dish 1 Soup Dumpling
Dish 2 Sweet & Sour Perfection Orange Chicken / Sweet & Sour Pork
Dish 3 Chongqing Noodles🌶️
The Legend of Year Beast Nian and the Magic of New Year’s Eve Dinner
Dish 4 Jiaozi Dumplings
Dumplings & Dr. Zhang Zhongjing
Dish 5 Peking Duck
Nanjing vs. Beijing Roast Duck
Dish 6 Kung Pao Chicken🌶️
Dish 7 Mapo Tofu🌶️
Why Tofu Is Good for You
Dish 8 Zongzi
Dish 9 Scallion Pancakes
Dish 10 Lanzhou Beef Noodles
Dish 11 Lion’s Head Meatballs
Dish 12 Roujiamo Chinese Hamburger
Dish 13 Hotpot🌶️
Dish 14 Pan-Fried Dumplings / Potstickers
Dish 15 Malatang / Spicy Sichuan Hot Pot Skewers 🌶️
Dish 17 Yu Xiang Pork / Garlic Sauce Pork
Dish 18 Savory Pork Mooncake from Shanghai
Cantonese vs. Suzhou Mooncakes
The Legend of Chang’e
Dish 19 Braised Whole Fish in Soy Sauce
Dish 20 Salty Milk Tea
Chapter 3 Beyond the Chinese Kitchen Tools, Table Culture, and Dining Rituals
Chapter 4 More Than The Social Life of Chinese Food
Afterword

167 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2025

About the author

Andrea Tang grew up in Princeton, New Jersey, and currently lives, writes, and works in the Washington, DC area. She loves martial arts in general and Brazilian jiu-jitsu in particular, and in her spare time, enjoys learning new sports and checking out live theater.