| A meal in Chinese culture is typically seen as | | | | occasions, it is sometimes the case that no rice at all |
| consisting of two or more general components: (1) a | | | | will be served; in such a case, rice would only be |
| carbohydrate source or starch, - typically rice, | | | | provided when no other dishes remained, or as a |
| noodles, and (2) accompanying dishes of vegetables, | | | | token dish at the end of the meal. Soup is usually |
| meat, fish, or other items. This cultural | | | | served at the start of a meal and at the end of a |
| conceptualization is in some ways in contrast to | | | | meal in Southern China. |
| cuisines of Northern Europe and the USA, where | | | | Chopsticks are the primary eating utensil in Chinese |
| meat or animal protein is often considered the main | | | | culture for solid foods, while soups and other liquids |
| dish, and analogous to the one of most | | | | are enjoyed[1] with a wide, flat-bottomed spoon |
| Mediterranean cuisines, based typically on | | | | (traditionally made of ceramic). It is reported that |
| wheat-derived components like pasta or cous cous. | | | | wooden chopsticks are losing their dominance due to |
| To enjoy traditional Indian Chinese food, check out | | | | recent logging shortfalls in China and East Asia; many |
| Rice is a critical part of much of Chinese cuisine. | | | | Chinese eating establishments are considering a |
| However, in many parts of China, particularly northern | | | | switch to a more environmentally sustainable eating |
| China, wheat-based products including noodles and | | | | utensil, such as plastic or bamboo chopsticks. More |
| steamed buns predominate, in contrast to southern | | | | expensive materials used in the past included ivory |
| China where rice is dominant. Despite the importance | | | | and silver. |
| of rice in Chinese cuisine, at extremely formal | | | | |