What kind of food do Chinese people eat for a starter?

It's not accurate to say all Chinese people eat the same starter, as Chinese cuisine is incredibly diverse. Different regions and families have their own traditions.

However, some common starter options in Chinese cuisine include:

Cold Dishes:

* 凉菜 (liáng cài): This broadly translates to "cold dishes" and can include a wide variety of options like:

* 凉拌黄瓜 (liáng bàn huáng guā): Cold cucumber salad, often with garlic and chili oil

* 木耳 (mù ěr): Black fungus salad, often with vinegar and soy sauce

* 拍黄瓜 (pāi huáng guā): Sliced cucumber with garlic and chili oil

* 卤味 (lǔ wèi): Braised meats and other ingredients, like chicken feet, pork ears, or tofu

Dim Sum:

* 点心 (diǎn xīn): Dim sum is a Cantonese tradition of small, savory and sweet dishes served in baskets, great for sharing. Popular options include:

* 虾饺 (xiā jiǎo): Shrimp dumplings

* 烧卖 (shāo mài): Pork and shrimp dumplings

* 春卷 (chūn juǎn): Spring rolls

* 叉烧包 (chā shāo bāo): Barbecue pork buns

Other Starters:

* 饺子 (jiǎo zi): Dumplings filled with pork, vegetables, or seafood

* 锅贴 (guō tiē): Pan-fried dumplings

* 葱油饼 (cōng yóu bǐng): Scallion pancakes

* 豆腐 (dòu fu): Tofu dishes, like Mapo Tofu

Regional Variations:

* Northern China: You might see more wheat-based starters like dumplings or pancakes.

* Southern China: Dim sum is a staple, along with dishes featuring seafood and rice.

* Sichuan Province: Spicy dishes like Sichuan hotpot are common starters.

It's important to remember that these are just a few examples. There are countless variations and possibilities within Chinese cuisine.