"Food" has a special meaning to the Chinese people.
The ‘waste not, want not's ethos means that a surprising range and variety of plants and animals,and every part of a plant or animal is used.  This has given rise to a remarkable diversity in the regional cuisine, but to Westerners it can be overwhelming - surprising, fantastic, delicious, horrifying or disgusting-and above all, different.  Travelers are often surprised that it is not like the Chinese take-away in their home town.

However, China is also a gourmet's paradise, and the food can be outstanding, if you know what to order. It includes a lot of fresh vegetables, meat, noodles, rice, fish, dumplings and regional specialties, with an amazing number of ways to prepare, spice, serve, pickle or preserve the food.

Most restaurants provide tea free of charge.  This is normally green tea, or similar.

	Cutlery can be ordered if wished.
	Tipping is not expected, although service charges may be included in the more expensive restaurants.
	Street food can be excellent – and cooked as you wait.  However, you should be aware that sometimes that noodle broth may include horse meat or other creatures that are not usually eaten where you come from.

Bottled water
Bottled water for drinking is available for purchase everywhere.  It is not advisable to drink tap water, as you will not be used to the local flora. 

Soft drinks and beer
Soft drinks and beer along with tea and rice wine, are the most common drinks in local restaurants.  There are many local and imported beers available. 

Wine & Liquor
The Chinese have been making wine for 4000 years, and the grape wine industry is currently expanding, with "Great Wall" and "‘Dynasty" being two of the more successful local brands.  Imported spirits, wine or beer will cost more than local products.  Some of the local spirits are extremely alcoholic (Bai Jiu), and bottles of wine which contain snakes, scorpions or other animals may startle you.

Tea
Chinese Tea is usually green tea, often scented with jasmine.  Black teas may also have a stronger flavor than you are used to.  Some Chinese hotels may provide tea bags, but be prepared for tea to taste different to you.

Coffee
Coffee is becoming more popular, and chains such as Starbucks are opening up in major cities (along with Kentucky Fried Chicken and McDonalds).  

Milk
Milk is more often soymilk than cow's milk, but the latter is served in hotels which cater to westerners, and fresh, dry or long-life milk is available from convenience stores, as is yogurt, and delicious yogurt drinks.

National drinks
One of the best-known national drinks is Maotai, a fiery spirit distilled from rice wine. Local beers are of good quality, notably Tsingdao, which is similar to German lager.

Legal drinking age
Although China has no minimum legal drinking age, a ban on the sale of alcohol people under 18 was introduced in January 2006.

Tipping
Still not officially approved of, tipping is becoming more commonplace in China. It is usual in tourist hotels and restaurants, and with tour guides and drivers. A service charge is often added by restaurants in large hotels.