In Chinese, appetizers are colloquially referred to as “cold dish” (涼菜, Liáng Cài), “small dish” (小菜, Xiǎo Cài), or more formally as “stomach priming dish” (開胃菜, Kāi Wèi Cài; the literal translation is “open stomach dish”).
These appetizer dishes are usually starred with vegetables, nuts, and tangy, vinegary sauces. They are perfect on their own or in combination to prime my stomach — and hopefully yours as well!
Chinese bitter melon salad with woodear mushrooms, red onions, and peanuts in a soy garlicky dressing. A crunchy, cooling dish for hot days—or any day! This bitter melon salad is simple in ingredients yet complex in flavors.
Silken Tofu with Century Egg is a classic Chinese cold dish—creamy, savory, and easy to make sans soy sauce. 🌚
What do I want when I am hangry? Something definitely quick, preferably Asian, and ideally protein-forward. And this silken tofu recipe always delivers! It is so easy to make, so quick to put together, and SO delicious! It is perfect as a side dish on a hot day, or it can also be eaten hot as a main dish.
Kissed with sizzling garlic-chili oil, this Chinese Chives with Dried Tofu Noodles is bold, savory, and irresistibly aromatic. 🧄🌶️⚡
