Cross Cultural Comparison of Pakistani and Chinese
Cuisine
Differences:
Chinese Cuisine :
Chinese cuisine is diverse due to large geographical extension and historical variations.
The Chinese have light food with vegetables and rice.
For breakfast and overall other dishes, rice is the most often used ingredient in China.
Rice is a major ingredient for many dishes that are eaten as breakfast in China.
The Chinese prefer to use varieties of black pepper as compared to red chilies to create
a mild spicy taste.
Chinese use some specific sources of meat i.e specially porks and some other meat
sources like frogs and dogs.
There is also a significant difference in the cutting of ingredients as Chinese cut their
ingredients into small size which is easy to bite and does not require cutting by a knife to
eat .
When it comes to salads Chinese mostly fry their vegetables.
There is a difference in oils that are used to fry food as Chinese mostly prefer peanut or
animal-based oils.
Methods of frying are different the Chinese use shallow fried foods making the quantity
of oil used noticeably different.
Chinese mostly use vegetables and fruits .
After their meals, the Chinese use tea or fruits after meals.
The differences are not just confined to the food but also to the things food is eaten
with as Chinese use chopsticks .
Pakistani Cuisine:
Pakistanis love Chinese food and there are many restaurants in China that sell Pakistani
cuisines.
Pakistani have heavy traditional meat-focused dishes.
The Pakistani population mostly uses wheat chapattis and rice on different days but rice
is used less often as compared to chapattis.
Red chilies are the basic spice with many other spices in Pakistani food.
Pakistani do not use some animal meat probably due to religious restriction for example
pork is the highest consumed meat source in China which is completely forbidden to use
in Pakistani culture and the same is true for some other meat sources like frogs and
dogs.
Pakistani food has larger meat and vegetable pieces that require breaking down before
they are put in the mouth to eat.
When it comes to salads Pakistanis just wash and cut their vegetables to make a salad
that is ready to eat.
There is a difference in oils that are used to fry food as Pakistanis use vegetable and
sunflower oils in both hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated versions.
Methods of frying are different as well because Pakistanis usually use deep-fried food.
After their meals, Pakistanis love to have sweet desserts that are mostly based on
custards and dairy desserts.
Pakistanis are comfortable eating with their hands, spoons, and forks.
Similarities:
Love of Chinese foods has brought a new change to the taste of Pakistanis as the cuisine
is introduced that is a perfect blend of Chinese food with some Pakistani additions.
Both countries like and appreciate each other’s cuisine much more than fast foods that
depict health-conscious eating behavior.
There are many Chinese variants of the traditional dishes which are made by the
addition of sauces and fried vegetables to them.
The reason that both cuisines blend so well together is their pre- existing similarity.
Both Chinese and Pakistanis like to eat their vegetables fried although Pakistanis use
them as a part of the main course while the Chinese use fried vegetables as salads.
The same is true for meat, the population in both countries in spite of the difference in
the choice of meat source, like to incorporate stock in their dishes to make them taste
better.
The style of eating is communal in both countries as they share whatever they eat with
their fellows on the same table.
Conclusion:
There are a lot of similarities and differences between the food and eating patterns of
both Pakistan and China but that makes them unique and still be together in a bond.
A little change in their food makes it the best meal for people in both of them.
The differences should be respected and the similarities should be cherished to make
both the countries best allies forever. Soups, Noodles, Manchurian, Fried rice, and Chili
Chicken are equally popular among the population of both countries, and guests are
welcomed and treated with hospitality at their homes. You must visit both the countries
for experiencing rich culture and amazing food.
