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What to eat in China? Top 3 Chinese Herbs and Spices

Last update: Wed Apr 23 2025
Top 3 Chinese Herbs and Spices
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Chinese Herb/Spice Types

01
Hua jiao
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Despite its name, Sichuan pepper is actually not a pepper, but dried berry of a type of ash shrub that has a unique peppery and lemony aroma. It is characterized by its mouth-numbing properties, typical for numerous dishes from the Sichuan province of China.


Sichuan pepper is also one of the five ingredients in the famous Chinese five spice powder. The pepper is often ground or roasted, and is commonly used to make an infused oil. It appears in numerous dishes such as kung pao chicken, bang bang chicken, and dan dan noodles
02
Wu xiang fen
Wu xiang fen infographic
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Wu xiang fen or five-spice powder is a traditional spice blend originating from China. The spice blend consists of five spices: fennel seeds, cinnamon, cloves, Sichuan peppercorns, and star anise. The number five refers to the five flavors that are represented in the blend – sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and umami.


There are many ways to use the aromatic five-spice powder – in marinades, stir-fries, soups, stews, as a seasoning for the breading for fried foods, as a glaze, or a dry rub for meat and seafood. Interestingly, the spice blend has antiseptic properties and it's sometimes used to cure indigestion.

03

Spice

CHINA and  one more region
n/a
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Lesser galangal (lat. Alpinia officinarum) is a plant species in the ginger family, closely related to galangal and used widely across Asia for culinary and medicinal purposes.


The plant is native to China, growing primarily in the southeastern part of the country. Lesser galangal is notable for its aromatic rhizomes, which are smaller and have a distinct taste compared to the more commonly known greater galangal (lat. Alpinia galanga). 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Chinese Herb/Spice Producers

01

Condiment

HONG KONG, China
4.3
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Lee Kum Kee is a well-known and reputable Chinese food manufacturer, specializing in sauces and condiments. Founded in 1888 in Guangdong, China, the company has a long history of producing high-quality products that are widely used in Asian cooking.


Lee Kum Kee is particularly famous for its oyster sauce, soy sauce, and various other cooking sauces, which are staples in both home kitchens and professional restaurants around the world. The company uses traditional recipes combined with modern production techniques to ensure consistency and authenticity in its products.


With a strong focus on innovation and quality, Lee Kum Kee has expanded its product range to include seasonings, marinades, and ready-to-cook products, catering to a diverse global audience.
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars

2024, 2023

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars

2024, 2023

BEST Lee Kum Kee Condiments
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Chinese Herbs and Spices

01
Rate it
Wanna try?
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AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars

2024

TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.

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Chinese Herbs and Spices