The letter B introduces some of the most famous and flavorful dishes in Chinese cuisine. From fluffy steamed buns and legendary chicken recipes to hand-pulled noodles and luxurious soups, these foods reflect the incredible variety that has made Chinese cooking one of the world’s most celebrated culinary traditions.
Alongside favorites like dumplings, fried rice, chow mein, hot pot, and sweet and sour pork, the foods beginning with B highlight China’s regional specialties, traditional cooking methods, and centuries of culinary heritage.
This guide explores Chinese foods that start with B, introducing classic recipes, regional specialties, and traditional ingredients enjoyed across China.
B Is for Some of China’s Most Beloved Dishes
Unlike some letters with only a few food names, the letter B includes several iconic Chinese dishes that are recognized both within China and around the world.
One of the best-known examples is Baozi, soft steamed buns filled with pork, beef, vegetables, or sweet bean paste. These fluffy buns are a staple breakfast food and are enjoyed throughout China in countless regional varieties.
Another favorite is Beggar’s Chicken, a legendary dish from Jiangsu Province. Traditionally, the whole chicken is wrapped in lotus leaves and clay before being slow-roasted, producing exceptionally tender and flavorful meat.
Noodle lovers may already know Biang Biang Noodles, a specialty from Shaanxi Province famous for their extra-wide hand-pulled noodles served with chili oil, garlic, vegetables, and meat. The dish is as well known for its unique name as it is for its bold flavors.
You’ll also encounter Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, an elaborate Fujian delicacy prepared with premium ingredients such as abalone, sea cucumber, scallops, mushrooms, and rich broth. Considered one of China’s most luxurious dishes, it reflects the artistry of traditional Chinese cuisine.
These foods show that the letter B offers an impressive introduction to China’s diverse culinary traditions.
Benefits of Learning Chinese Foods Beginning With B
- Complete your Chinese food vocabulary from A to Z.
- Discover authentic regional Chinese specialties.
- Learn traditional Chinese cooking techniques.
- Explore famous noodle dishes and steamed buns.
- Recognize luxurious banquet dishes and everyday favorites.
- 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 simple street foods and elegant banquet cuisine.
- Develop a deeper appreciation for Chinese culinary traditions.
Chinese Foods That Start With B
The list below features Chinese foods beginning with the letter B, including steamed buns, chicken dishes, handmade noodles, soups, snacks, and regional specialties enjoyed throughout China.
The letter B represents an impressive variety of Chinese flavors and cooking styles. You’ll discover wheat-based dishes, slow-cooked meats, premium seafood, vegetables, aromatic herbs, and carefully balanced seasonings appearing throughout the collection.
Many of these foods have become symbols of their home regions while remaining popular across the country. They demonstrate how Chinese cuisine combines simple everyday meals with elaborate banquet dishes, creating one of the world’s richest culinary traditions.
Baozi
包子
Syllable: Bāozi
Pronunciation: I like Baozi.
- 我喜欢包子。 – Baozi has a soft wrapper and tasty filling.
- 包子有松软的外皮和美味的馅料。 – Baozi is a popular breakfast food.
- 包子是一种受欢迎的早餐食品。
Banmian
拌面
Syllable: Bànmiàn
Pronunciation: I like Banmian.
- 我喜欢拌面。 – Banmian has chewy noodles and savory sauce.
- 拌面有劲道的面条和香浓的酱汁。 – Banmian is easy to prepare.
- 拌面很容易制作。
Biang Biang Noodles
油泼扯面
Syllable: Yóupō Chěmiàn
Pronunciation: I like Biang Biang Noodles.
- 我喜欢油泼扯面。 – Biang Biang Noodles have wide and chewy noodles.
- 油泼扯面的面条又宽又有嚼劲。 – Biang Biang Noodles are famous in Shaanxi.
- 油泼扯面是陕西的著名美食。
Babaofan
八宝饭
Syllable: Bābǎofàn
Pronunciation: I like Babaofan.
- 我喜欢八宝饭。 – Babaofan is sweet and sticky.
- 八宝饭香甜软糯。 – Babaofan is often served during festivals.
- 八宝饭常在节日时食用。
Bingtanghulu
冰糖葫芦
Syllable: Bīngtánghúlu
Pronunciation: I like Bingtanghulu.
- 我喜欢冰糖葫芦。 – Bingtanghulu has a sweet and crunchy coating.
- 冰糖葫芦有香甜酥脆的糖衣。 – Bingtanghulu is a popular street snack.
- 冰糖葫芦是一种受欢迎的街头小吃。
Baijimo
白吉馍
Syllable: Báijímó
Pronunciation: I like Baijimo.
- 我喜欢白吉馍。 – Baijimo has a crispy outside and soft inside.
- 白吉馍外酥里软。 – Baijimo is often filled with meat.
- 白吉馍常夹着肉馅。
Ban Ban Ji
棒棒鸡
Syllable: Bàngbàngjī
Pronunciation: I like Ban Ban Ji.
- 我喜欢棒棒鸡。 – Ban Ban Ji has tender chicken with spicy sauce.
- 棒棒鸡有鲜嫩的鸡肉和香辣酱汁。 – Ban Ban Ji is served cold.
- 棒棒鸡通常冷着吃。
Beggar\’s Chicken
叫花鸡
Syllable: Jiàohuājī
Pronunciation: I like Beggar’s Chicken.
- 我喜欢叫花鸡。 – Beggar\’s Chicken has tender and juicy meat.
- 叫花鸡的鸡肉鲜嫩多汁。 – Beggar\’s Chicken is wrapped before cooking.
- 叫花鸡在烹饪前会包裹起来。
Beef Lamian
牛肉拉面
Syllable: Niúròu Lāmiàn
Pronunciation: I like Beef Lamian.
- 我喜欢牛肉拉面。 – Beef Lamian has hand-pulled noodles and beef.
- 牛肉拉面有手工拉面和牛肉。 – Beef Lamian is served in hot broth.
- 牛肉拉面配热汤一起吃。
Black Sesame Tangyuan
黑芝麻汤圆
Syllable: Hēizhīma Tāngyuán
Pronunciation: I like Black Sesame Tangyuan.
- 我喜欢黑芝麻汤圆。 – Black Sesame Tangyuan has a sweet sesame filling.
- 黑芝麻汤圆有香甜的芝麻馅。 – Black Sesame Tangyuan is popular during festivals.
- 黑芝麻汤圆在节日期间很受欢迎。
Black Sesame Soup
芝麻糊
Syllable: Zhīma Hú
Pronunciation: I like Black Sesame Soup.
- 我喜欢芝麻糊。 – Black Sesame Soup is smooth and sweet.
- 芝麻糊香浓顺滑。 – Black Sesame Soup is a traditional dessert.
- 芝麻糊是一种传统甜点。
Bai Qie Ji
白切鸡
Syllable: Báiqiējī
Pronunciation: I like Bai Qie Ji.
- 我喜欢白切鸡。 – Bai Qie Ji has tender chicken and simple seasoning.
- 白切鸡有鲜嫩的鸡肉和简单的调味。 – Bai Qie Ji is a famous Cantonese dish.
- 白切鸡是一道著名的粤菜。
Buddha\’s Delight
罗汉斋
Syllable: Luóhàn Zhāi
Pronunciation: I like Buddha’s Delight.
- 我喜欢罗汉斋。 – Buddha\’s Delight has many vegetables and mushrooms.
- 罗汉斋有很多蔬菜和蘑菇。 – Buddha\’s Delight is a traditional vegetarian dish.
- 罗汉斋是一道传统素菜。
Bing
饼
Syllable: Bǐng
Pronunciation: I like Bing.
- 我喜欢饼。 – Bing has a crispy outside and soft inside.
- 饼外酥里软。 – Bing is a common Chinese food.
- 饼是一种常见的中国食品。
Ba Si Di Gua
拔丝地瓜
Syllable: Básī Dìguā
Pronunciation: I like Ba Si Di Gua.
- 我喜欢拔丝地瓜。 – Ba Si Di Gua has a sweet caramel coating.
- 拔丝地瓜有香甜的糖衣。 – Ba Si Di Gua is served hot.
- 拔丝地瓜通常趁热吃。
Ba Si Xiang Jiao
拔丝香蕉
Syllable: Básī Xiāngjiāo
Pronunciation: I like Ba Si Xiang Jiao.
- 我喜欢拔丝香蕉。 – Ba Si Xiang Jiao has a crispy sugar coating.
- 拔丝香蕉有酥脆的糖衣。 – Ba Si Xiang Jiao is a sweet dessert.
- 拔丝香蕉是一种香甜的甜点。
Bai Mu Er
银耳
Syllable: Yín’ěr
Pronunciation: I like Bai Mu Er.
- 我喜欢银耳。 – Bai Mu Er has a soft and crunchy texture.
- 银耳有柔软又爽脆的口感。 – Bai Mu Er is often used in sweet soups.
- 银耳常用于甜汤。
Ba Bao Cha
八宝茶
Syllable: Bābǎochá
Pronunciation: I like Ba Bao Cha.
- 我喜欢八宝茶。 – Ba Bao Cha has tea, fruit, and herbs.
- 八宝茶有茶叶、水果和草本配料。 – Ba Bao Cha is warm and refreshing.
- 八宝茶温暖又清爽。
Ba Bao Fan
八宝饭
Syllable: Bābǎofàn
Pronunciation: I like Ba Bao Fan.
- 我喜欢八宝饭。 – Ba Bao Fan is sweet and colorful.
- 八宝饭香甜又色彩丰富。 – Ba Bao Fan is a traditional festival dessert.
- 八宝饭是一种传统节日甜点。
Chinese Cooking Reflects Regional Identity
One of the most fascinating aspects of Chinese cuisine is that each region has developed its own signature dishes using local ingredients, cooking techniques, and cultural traditions.
Baozi can be found throughout China with countless regional fillings, while Biang Biang Noodles proudly represent the bold flavors of Shaanxi Province. Beggar’s Chicken reflects Jiangsu’s long culinary history, and Buddha Jumps Over the Wall showcases the refined banquet traditions of Fujian cuisine.
Learning these regional specialties offers a deeper understanding of China’s remarkable food culture, where every dish tells the story of its place of origin.
Practice Activities
- Learn five Chinese foods beginning with B.
- 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 buns, noodles, soups, and meat dishes.
- Research the history of Baozi and Beggar’s Chicken.
- Visit a Chinese restaurant and identify foods beginning with B.
- Keep a notebook of Chinese culinary terms.
- Try making steamed buns or handmade noodles 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 B introduces some of the most iconic foods in Chinese cuisine. From fluffy steamed buns and legendary roasted chicken to hand-pulled noodles and luxurious banquet soups, these dishes celebrate the diversity, history, and craftsmanship that have made Chinese food admired around the world.
Now we’d love to hear from you! Which Chinese food beginning with B caught your attention the most, or is there another authentic B 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.
