The letter H introduces some of the most famous and flavorful dishes in Chinese cuisine. From bubbling hot pots and delicate shrimp dumplings to tender braised pork and fragrant chicken rice, these foods represent the rich culinary traditions that have made Chinese cooking admired around the world.
Alongside favorites like dumplings, fried rice, chow mein, baozi, and Peking duck, the foods beginning with H showcase China’s remarkable regional diversity, timeless cooking techniques, and unforgettable flavors.
This guide explores Chinese foods that start with H, introducing classic recipes, regional specialties, and traditional ingredients enjoyed across China.
H Includes Some of China’s Most Iconic Dishes
At first glance, the letter H may appear to contain only a few Chinese food names, but it actually features several dishes that have become symbols of Chinese cuisine both at home and internationally.
One of the best-known examples is Hot Pot, a beloved communal meal where diners cook thinly sliced meats, seafood, vegetables, mushrooms, tofu, and noodles in a simmering pot of flavorful broth. Different regions offer their own styles, ranging from the fiery Sichuan version to lighter Cantonese broths.
Another favorite is Har Gow, one of the most popular Cantonese dim sum dishes. These translucent dumplings are traditionally filled with fresh shrimp and steamed until tender, making them a staple at yum cha restaurants.
Rice lovers may already know Hainan Chicken Rice, a dish of poached chicken served with fragrant rice cooked in chicken broth, accompanied by ginger sauce, chili sauce, and cucumber. Although closely associated with Hainan and Southeast Asia, it originated from Chinese culinary traditions.
You’ll also encounter Hong Shao Rou, also known as red-braised pork. This classic dish slowly cooks pork belly with soy sauce, sugar, ginger, and Shaoxing wine until it becomes rich, glossy, and melt-in-your-mouth tender.
These foods show that the letter H offers an excellent introduction to Chinese culinary traditions.
Benefits of Learning Chinese Foods Beginning With H
- Complete your Chinese food vocabulary from A to Z.
- Discover authentic regional Chinese specialties.
- Learn traditional Chinese cooking techniques.
- Explore famous dim sum and hot pot dishes.
- Recognize classic braised pork and chicken recipes.
- Improve confidence when reading Chinese restaurant menus.
- Strengthen memory through alphabetical learning.
- Prepare for travel by identifying local specialties.
- Support classroom and worksheet activities.
- Learn about China’s regional food culture.
- Find inspiration for cooking authentic Chinese recipes at home.
- Experience both everyday comfort foods and festive dishes.
- Develop a deeper appreciation for Chinese culinary traditions.
Chinese Foods That Start With H
The list below features Chinese foods beginning with the letter H, including hot pot dishes, dumplings, braised meats, rice meals, soups, and regional specialties enjoyed throughout China.
Although this category is smaller than letters such as B or C, it still represents an impressive variety of flavors and cooking styles. You’ll find pork, chicken, shrimp, rice, vegetables, aromatic spices, and carefully prepared broths appearing throughout the collection.
Many of these dishes have become internationally famous while remaining deeply connected to the regions where they first developed. Their lasting popularity reflects the balance of tradition, fresh ingredients, and skilled cooking that defines Chinese cuisine.
Har Gow
虾饺
Syllable: Hājiǎo
Pronunciation: I like Har Gow.
- 我喜欢虾饺。 – Har Gow has a thin wrapper and juicy shrimp filling.
- 虾饺有薄薄的外皮和鲜嫩多汁的虾馅。 – Har Gow is a classic dim sum dish.
- 虾饺是一道经典点心。
Hot Pot
火锅
Syllable: Huǒguō
Pronunciation: I like Hot Pot.
- 我喜欢火锅。 – Hot Pot has fresh meat, vegetables, and flavorful broth.
- 火锅有新鲜的肉类、蔬菜和美味的汤底。 – Hot Pot is popular for sharing with family and friends.
- 火锅适合与家人和朋友一起享用。
Hong Shao Yu
红烧鱼
Syllable: Hóngshāo Yú
Pronunciation: I like Hong Shao Yu.
- 我喜欢红烧鱼。 – Hong Shao Yu has tender fish in a rich brown sauce.
- 红烧鱼有鲜嫩的鱼肉和浓郁的红烧酱汁。 – Hong Shao Yu is a traditional Chinese fish dish.
- 红烧鱼是一道传统中国鱼菜。
Hong Shao Qiezi
红烧茄子
Syllable: Hóngshāo Qiézi
Pronunciation: I like Hong Shao Qiezi.
- 我喜欢红烧茄子。 – Hong Shao Qiezi has soft eggplant in a savory sauce.
- 红烧茄子有软嫩的茄子和鲜美的酱汁。 – Hong Shao Qiezi is a popular home-style dish.
- 红烧茄子是一道受欢迎的家常菜。
Huajuan
花卷
Syllable: Huājuǎn
Pronunciation: I like Huajuan.
- 我喜欢花卷。 – Huajuan has soft layers and a light texture.
- 花卷有柔软的层次和轻盈的口感。 – Huajuan is a popular steamed bread.
- 花卷是一种受欢迎的蒸面食。
Hakka Stuffed Tofu
客家酿豆腐
Syllable: Kèjiā Niàng Dòufu
Pronunciation: I like Hakka Stuffed Tofu.
- 我喜欢客家酿豆腐。 – Hakka Stuffed Tofu has tofu filled with seasoned meat.
- 客家酿豆腐有填满肉馅的豆腐。 – Hakka Stuffed Tofu is a famous Hakka dish.
- 客家酿豆腐是一道著名的客家菜。
Hakka Abacus Seeds
算盘子
Syllable: Suànpánzi
Pronunciation: I like Hakka Abacus Seeds.
- 我喜欢算盘子。 – Hakka Abacus Seeds are chewy taro dumplings with savory ingredients.
- 算盘子是有嚼劲的芋头团子，配有丰富配料。 – Hakka Abacus Seeds are a traditional Hakka specialty.
- 算盘子是一道传统客家特色美食。
Huangqiao Sesame Cake
黄桥烧饼
Syllable: Huángqiáo Shāobǐng
Pronunciation: I like Huangqiao Sesame Cake.
- 我喜欢黄桥烧饼。 – Huangqiao Sesame Cake has a crispy crust and flaky layers.
- 黄桥烧饼有酥脆的外皮和层层酥香。 – Huangqiao Sesame Cake is a famous Jiangsu snack.
- 黄桥烧饼是著名的江苏小吃。
Hongdou Tang
红豆汤
Syllable: Hóngdòu Tāng
Pronunciation: I like Hongdou Tang.
- 我喜欢红豆汤。 – Hongdou Tang has sweet red beans and a warm broth.
- 红豆汤有香甜的红豆和温热的汤汁。 – Hongdou Tang is a comforting Chinese dessert.
- 红豆汤是一种暖心的中式甜品。
He Ye Fan
荷叶饭
Syllable: Héyè Fàn
Pronunciation: I like He Ye Fan.
- 我喜欢荷叶饭。 – He Ye Fan has rice wrapped in fragrant lotus leaves.
- 荷叶饭有包在荷叶里的香米饭。 – He Ye Fan has a fresh lotus leaf aroma.
- 荷叶饭带有清新的荷叶香气。
Hu La Tang
胡辣汤
Syllable: Húlà Tāng
Pronunciation: I like Hu La Tang.
- 我喜欢胡辣汤。 – Hu La Tang has pepper, spices, and a thick broth.
- 胡辣汤有胡椒、香料和浓稠的汤汁。 – Hu La Tang is a popular breakfast soup.
- 胡辣汤是一种受欢迎的早餐汤。
Hunan Steamed Fish Head
剁椒鱼头
Syllable: Duòjiāo Yútóu
Pronunciation: I like Hunan Steamed Fish Head.
- 我喜欢剁椒鱼头。 – Hunan Steamed Fish Head has tender fish and spicy chopped peppers.
- 剁椒鱼头有鲜嫩的鱼肉和香辣剁椒。 – Hunan Steamed Fish Head is a famous Hunan dish.
- 剁椒鱼头是一道著名的湖南菜。
Hunan Rice Noodles
湖南米粉
Syllable: Húnán Mǐfěn
Pronunciation: I like Hunan Rice Noodles.
- 我喜欢湖南米粉。 – Hunan Rice Noodles have soft rice noodles and spicy broth.
- 湖南米粉有柔软的米粉和香辣的汤底。 – Hunan Rice Noodles are a popular regional specialty.
- 湖南米粉是一种受欢迎的地方特色美食。
Hubei Hot Dry Noodles
热干面
Syllable: Règānmiàn
Pronunciation: I like Hubei Hot Dry Noodles.
- 我喜欢热干面。 – Hubei Hot Dry Noodles have sesame sauce and chewy noodles.
- 热干面有芝麻酱和有嚼劲的面条。 – Hubei Hot Dry Noodles are a famous Wuhan specialty.
- 热干面是著名的武汉特色美食。
Huoshao
火烧
Syllable: Huǒshāo
Pronunciation: I like Huoshao.
- 我喜欢火烧。 – Huoshao has a crispy crust and soft filling.
- 火烧有酥脆的外皮和松软的馅料。 – Huoshao is a traditional baked pastry.
- 火烧是一种传统烤饼。
Honey Glazed Lotus Root
蜜汁莲藕
Syllable: Mìzhī Lián’ǒu
Pronunciation: I like Honey Glazed Lotus Root.
- 我喜欢蜜汁莲藕。 – Honey Glazed Lotus Root has sweet honey and crisp lotus root.
- 蜜汁莲藕有香甜的蜂蜜和爽脆的莲藕。 – Honey Glazed Lotus Root is a popular sweet dish.
- 蜜汁莲藕是一道受欢迎的甜菜。
Hawthorn Cake
山楂糕
Syllable: Shānzhā Gāo
Pronunciation: I like Hawthorn Cake.
- 我喜欢山楂糕。 – Hawthorn Cake has a sweet and tangy flavor.
- 山楂糕有酸甜可口的味道。 – Hawthorn Cake is a traditional Chinese dessert.
- 山楂糕是一种传统中式甜点。
Sharing Meals Is an Important Part of Chinese Food Culture
One of the defining characteristics of Chinese cuisine is its emphasis on sharing food with family and friends. Many traditional meals are served in the center of the table, encouraging everyone to enjoy a variety of dishes together.
Hot Pot is perhaps the best example of this tradition, turning every meal into a social gathering where everyone cooks and eats together. Har Gow reflects the Cantonese custom of enjoying dim sum with tea, while Hong Shao Rou is often served during family celebrations. Even simple dishes like Hainan Chicken Rice demonstrate how carefully prepared ingredients can create a meal that is both comforting and memorable.
These traditions help explain why Chinese cuisine is valued not only for its flavors but also for the sense of togetherness it brings to every meal.
Practice Activities
- Learn five Chinese foods beginning with H.
- Practice pronouncing each food name aloud.
- Create flashcards with food pictures.
- Match dishes with their main ingredients.
- Read authentic Chinese recipes.
- Watch Chinese cooking videos featuring regional specialties.
- Organize foods into dumplings, rice dishes, hot pot meals, and braised recipes.
- Research the history of Hot Pot and Har Gow.
- Visit a Chinese restaurant and identify foods beginning with H.
- Keep a notebook of Chinese culinary terms.
- Try preparing a simple Chinese dumpling or braised pork recipe at home.
- Review your favorite foods from every alphabet letter.
- Share your discoveries with family or friends.
- Test your knowledge using the worksheet.
Continue Your Chinese Food Alphabet Journey!
The letter H introduces another delicious collection of authentic Chinese foods. From bubbling Hot Pot and delicate Har Gow to flavorful Hainan Chicken Rice and tender Hong Shao Rou, these dishes celebrate the history, regional diversity, and culinary craftsmanship that make Chinese cuisine one of the world’s most admired food cultures.
Now we’d love to hear from you! Which Chinese food beginning with H caught your attention the most, or is there another authentic H dish we should include? Share your recommendation in the comments, tell us your favorite Chinese specialty, and pass this worksheet along to anyone who enjoys discovering new foods from around the world.
