Breakfast in... China

Breakfasts vary greatly between different regions. In northern China breakfast fare typically includes 'haujuan, mantou(steamed breads), 'shaobing' (unleavened pocket-bread with sesame), baozi (steamed buns with meat or vegetable stuffing), with dounai or doujiang (soy milk) or tea served in Chinese style as beverages.

In central and eastern China, typified by Shanghai and the neighbouring Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui provinces, breakfast includes some northern as well as southern dishes. These may be 'ci fan tuan' a soup made by fried tofu and cellophane noodles); plain rice porridge served with numerous side dishes, such as salted duck eggs, pickled vegetables, and century eggs; or sweetened or savoury soy milk served with 'shāobǐng' or 'youtiao'.

In southeastern China, such as Fujian province, breakfasts consist of rice porridge served with side dishes such as pickled vegetables and century eggs (also known as thousand-year old eggs).

Chinese steamed eggs is a common dish served throughout China. Vegetables, shrimp, scallions, and tofu are commonly added and steamed with the eggs. In southern areas, eggs are usually served with rice congee, but in the northern areas it is served with mantou (Chinese steamed buns).

In southern China, represented by Guangdong province, breakfasts include rice porridge prepared to a thicker consistency than those sold in Shanghai. Side dishes are not served. Congee is served with yóutiáo if it is plain. In many cases, however, congee is prepared with meats or dried vegetables, such as beef slices, shredded salted pork and century eggs, fish, or slices of pig's liver and kidney. It can be served with or without 'youtiao'. Other breakfast fares include rice noodle rolls (cheong fun) (served with hoisin sauce and soy sauce, without fillings), fried noodles (pan fried noodles with bean sprouts, spring onions, and soy sauce), fangao (rice cakes), jianbing (thin crispy omelets with fillings folded in), luobogao (turnip cakes) and zongzi (another kind of rice cake wrapped in bamboo leaves). The dim sum specialties are in a different class. Dim sum is often eaten as brunch at special dim sum restaurants.