Handling Spicy Foods in China and Adjusting Spice Levels Guide

When traveling in China, culinary culture is an important part of the experience, but spicy dishes may pose a challenge for tourists who are not accustomed to them. Below are detailed answers and recommendations addressing your questions:

1. Characteristics of Spiciness in Different Chinese Regions

1. Sichuan Cuisine (Sichuan, Chongqing): Known for its "numbing spiciness," it commonly uses Sichuan peppercorns and chili peppers, combining spiciness with a tingling sensation.
2. Hunan Cuisine: Features "aromatic spiciness" with intense and direct spiciness.
3. Yunnan-Guizhou Cuisine: Often includes "sour-spicy" or "burnt-spicy" flavors, combining fermented or dried chili pepper tastes.
4. Northwest Region (e.g., Shaanxi): Milder spiciness, often used as seasoning rather than as the dominant flavor.

Suggestion: Learn about the local cuisine styles in advance to avoid accidentally entering "high-spice zones."

2. How to Request Reduced Spiciness

In Chinese restaurants, you can explicitly request adjustments to spice levels. Here are specific methods: 1. Simple Chinese Expressions:
- "Mildly spicy" (wēi là): A small amount of chilies.
- "No spice" (bú yào là): Completely without spiciness.
- "Less chili" (shǎo fàng là jiāo): Reduced chili usage.
2. Assistance Tools:
- Use translation apps (such as Google Translate or Tencent Translation) to input your requests and show them to the server.
- Carry a "no-spice" card (which you can print or save as an image in advance).
3. Choosing Dishes:
- Avoid dishes labeled with "numbing-spicy," "aromatic-spicy," or "pickled chilies."
- Opt for steamed, blanched, or soup-based dishes, such as "steamed fish" or "vegetable soup."

3. Practical Tips for Adapting to Spicy Foods

1. Gradual Trial: Start with "mildly spicy" dishes and pair them with rice, noodles, or light beverages (such as soy milk, yogurt) to alleviate the heat.
2. Recommended Anti-Spice Foods:
3. Drinks: Iced soy milk, yogurt, sugary drinks (like cola), or honey water.
4. Main Courses: Rice, steamed buns, porridge to neutralize spiciness.
5. Desserts: Ice jelly, sweet rice balls, fruits (watermelon, bananas).
6. Emergency Measures:
7. If you accidentally eat something too spicy, avoid drinking water directly (it may intensify the burning sensation); instead, try holding a small piece of sugar in your mouth or drinking milk.

4. Precautions and Advance Planning

1. Ask Before Ordering:
2. Directly ask: "Is this dish spicy?" (zhè dào cài là ma?)
3. Request to taste a small portion or adjust seasonings (such as "no chili oil").
4. Choosing Restaurants:
5. Chain restaurants (such as "Xibei Yumiancun" or "Din Tai Fung") usually offer controllable spice levels.
6. Chinese restaurants within international hotels may better cater to foreign tourists' needs.
7. Bring Your Own Food:
8. Convenience stores (such as FamilyMart or 7-11) sell mild foods like bread and rice balls as backup options.

5. Special Notes

• Hidden Spices: Some dishes may use spicy sauces during marination (such as braised pork or certain barbecues); confirm in advance.
• Regional Differences: Northern cuisines generally have lower spice levels compared to Southern ones, but there may be exceptions at individual restaurants.
• Cultural Respect: If dining companions prefer spicier food, request separate servings or personalized orders.