Bistropedia — Authentic Chinese Cuisine Guide
Understand Chinese Cuisine Before You Order
Bistropedia is a curated guide to authentic Chinese cuisine, designed to help food lovers explore traditional dishes, regional flavors, and local restaurants across the United States.
We organize Chinese food by cuisine, dish, language, and city — making it easy to understand what each dish tastes like, how it’s prepared, and what to expect before you order.
Our coverage begins in the Washington, DC metro area, including Maryland and Northern Virginia, and will continue expanding to cities across the U.S.
Explore Chinese Cuisines
Chinese cuisine is shaped by strong regional identities. Each region reflects local climate, ingredients, and cooking traditions developed over centuries. Rather than one unified style, Chinese food is best understood through its regional cuisines — each with distinct flavors, cooking methods, and spice levels.
Why Sichuan Cuisine Stands Out
Many Chinese menus list dozens of unfamiliar dish names, often with little or no description.
Bistropedia helps you understand what dishes actually taste like, how spicy they are, and which ones best match your preferences.
Sichuan cuisine is especially famous for its bold flavors — most notably mala (麻辣), the numbing-spicy sensation created by chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorn.
If you enjoy food that is aromatic, deeply seasoned, and excitingly spicy, Sichuan cuisine is one of the most rewarding Chinese regional styles to explore.
Popular Sichuan Dishes
These well-known Sichuan dishes are commonly found on restaurant menus and are excellent starting points for both first-time diners and seasoned spice lovers.
Popular Sichuan Dishes (English)
- Water-Boiled Fish
- Water-Boiled Beef
- Kung Pao Chicken
- Twice-Cooked Pork
- Mapo Tofu
- Dan Dan Noodles
- Mala Xiangguo — Numbing-Spicy Fragrant Pot
四川经典菜品（中文）
Chinese Food Guides by City
Bistropedia connects traditional Chinese cuisine with real local dining experiences. Each dish guide includes cultural background, flavor profile, and restaurant recommendations organized by specific cities and neighborhoods, helping you find authentic Chinese food near you.