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Smoked, Steamed & Stir-Fried
Symbolism is hugely important in Chinese culture, and it is particularly apparent in the culinary arts. Chicken is often inextricably linked with the mythical phoenix, and is a popular choice at Chinese New Year banquets and weddings, the heraldic creature giving its symbolic name to the dish known as Phoenix Chicken.
In the northern provinces, much use is made of smoking as a special technique, and chefs particularly embrace the flavour imparted by tea leaves which are often used as an aromatic smoking material.