Real Chinese Food: A Dutch Man’s Journey Into China’s Culinary Culture

When you think of “real Chinese food,” what comes to mind? Maybe sweet and sour chicken, spring rolls, or fried rice from your local takeout? For me, it was something else entirely. Something… unforgettable.

As a Dutch guy living in China with my wife, Ruiting, I had the unique opportunity (and courage?) to dive headfirst into the real deal: dishes that never show up on Western menus. In our latest videos, you’ll see me face down a one thousand year egg and a five-spice chicken claw—two of the most iconic and intimidating bites China has to offer. But this post is about more than just the food. It’s about the culture behind it—the habits, the prices, and the pace of eating that makes Chinese food culture so fascinating.

You can watch those food challenges on our YouTube channel, but here’s a little taste of what it felt like.

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Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone (and Diet) to try Real Chinese Food

First, a confession: I’m actually a vegetarian. At home in the Netherlands, I stick to a plant-based diet. But when we travel, especially in places where food is such a deep part of the culture, I sometimes make exceptions for special experiences—and this definitely qualified.

The thousand year egg, or pidan, was unlike anything I’ve ever tasted. I won’t spoil exactly how it went (you’ll need to watch the video for that), but let’s just say it was one of the weirdest, most complex flavors I’ve ever encountered. The chicken claw? That was another story. Five-spice scented, gelatinous, and bony—it was less about flavor and more about… texture. And technique.

Why Real Chinese Food is So Different

Chinese food in China is a world apart from the Chinese food most Dutch people know. In China, every region has its specialties, and street food stalls often serve just one dish—but they do it perfectly.

Real Chinese food is bold. It’s not shy about spice, or fat, or bones. It’s about balance and contrast—sweet and sour, crunchy and soft, hot and numbing. And it’s deeply seasonal and local, reflecting what’s fresh and available.

Some dishes challenge your expectations. Others challenge your palate. And all of them challenge your chopstick skills.

Eating Out: Easy, Cheap, and Daily

One thing that really surprised me: how affordable eating out is in China. In the Netherlands, going to a restaurant is usually a treat for special occasions. In China? It’s part of daily life.

You can walk down almost any street and find a steaming bowl of hand-pulled noodles, a skewer of grilled lamb, or a plate of stir-fried greens—for just two or three euros. That affordability makes street food not just a snack, but a full meal solution. It’s why so many people eat outside the home multiple times a week. And why we found ourselves doing the same.

How Chinese People Eat at Home

Eating at home in China has its own rhythm, and it took some getting used to.

In the Netherlands, dinner is usually a social time—talking, laughing, maybe lingering at the table with a glass of wine. In China, meals are fast. People eat with focus. There’s not much chatting during the meal, and it’s perfectly normal for someone to get up and leave the table the moment they’re done—even if others are still eating.

At first, I thought it was rude. But it’s not. It’s just a different norm. The purpose of the meal is to eat, and once that’s done, people move on with their day.

That said, celebratory meals are different. When the family goes out for a special occasion—say, to a hotpot restaurant—people do stay longer. Still, one hour is about the max, unless the food itself (like hotpot) requires more time to prepare at the table.

A Greeting That Starts with Food

One of my favorite cultural quirks in China? Instead of asking, “How are you?”, people often ask:

“你吃了吗？” (Nǐ chī le ma?)

It means: “Have you eaten yet?”

It’s a friendly, caring question, which reflects the central role food plays in daily life. And it’s not about whether you’re full—it’s a way of saying, “I hope you’re well.” I love that.

Real Chinese Food:More Than Just a Meal

For us, food has become one of the most powerful ways to explore and understand a culture. How people eat says so much more then what they say and habits don’t lie. When you sit at a table in someone’s home or at a wobbly table on the street, you learn about more than ingredients—you learn about values, habits, and history.

Our food vlogs—like the one thousand year egg and chicken claw challenge—are a fun way to share those discoveries. And while I’ll always be a bit cautious around mysterious items on skewers, I’ve learned that trying new food is the fastest way to connect with people.

So what’s next? I’m not sure. Maybe stinky tofu? Silkworms? Or something even wilder? But if it helps us share a little more of what real Chinese food is all about, I’ll try almost anything—once.

Until then, go check out the videos and let us know: would you try it?

Let us know what’s the weirdest food you tried in the comments down below, or contact us with other remarks or questions.