Soups

Chinese soups have an entirely different status from Western soups. Not served as a prelude to the meal itself, they are an integral part of all informal meals, because the principle of Chinese dining, with the exception of banquets, is that all the dishes of a meal are served simultaneously for communal sharing. And, since water is never served and tea is presented only before or after a meal, the soup performs the dual role of being something good to eat as well as a delicious liquid to quench one’s thirst. Always set in the center of the dining table, surrounded by the other dishes, the soup is taken by the diners at random throughout the meal. Of course, you have the option to serve soup either the Western or Chinese way.