The Best Chinese Restaurants in Toronto, Ontario

Chinese food is rich in cultural and history. The cuisine has evolved throughout the centuries, taking on new flavours and techniques with every dynasty. The use of raw ingredients adds colour and texture to Chinese dishes, making China one of the "three major culinary kingdoms" along with France and Turkey.

Chinese food is considered a form of art, to be enjoyed with friends and family. Cooking was supposed to be done for enjoyment rather than necessity, and often the ingredients were chosen due to their life-enhancing properties. Plants, roots, herbs, fungus, and seeds were used in the early ages to provide nutrients and, in some cases, medicinal treatments. For example, ginger root adds a tangy flavour to dishes while also soothing upset stomachs and curing common colds.

The descriptor "Chinese food" is a broad term used to describe eight different types of culinary experiences, from Cantonese to Zhejiang. Each regional cuisine has its own specialities. For example, southwest food is spicier while the west coast is known for its seafood. Cantonese food includes a lot of steamed meats, and Zhejiang cuisine uses a lot of fresh and soft ingredients.

Despite the regional differences, all of Chinese food uses select staple items. This includes rice, noodles, vegetables, sauces, and seasonings. A standard Chinese dish has two components. The first is a carbohydrate base of rice or pasta and then the second is the vegetable, fish, or meat accompaniment. Garlic, shallots, and chilli peppers are some of the most common spices used to flavour meats. Dessert is considered a treat, as many of the dishes in Chinese culture combine sweet and spicy palettes. Orange slices and red bean soup are the most popular items to eat after a meal.

Most of Chinese cuisine is already pre-cut into bite-size or individual pieces, making it easier to eat with chopsticks, a utensil that replaces forks and knives. Chopsticks are typically made of wood, plastic, bamboo, or stainless steel, and are of equal size and length. Food is balanced between the two sticks, which are both held in one hand.

One of the most popular North American Chinese restaurants is Mandarin, an all-you-can-eat buffet that fuses traditional cuisine with more American-style options. It has a salad, sushi, and BBQ bar in addition to tables full of conventional Chinese food. There are over 150 items on the menu. Mandarin is known for their dumpling festivals, which usually take place around Chinese New Year.

MenuPalace showcases some of the best fresh and authentic Chinese restaurants in the GTA.