China has one of the richest culinary heritages on Earth. Solid Chinese food is eaten with chopsticks and liquid with a wide, flat bottom spoon (usually ceramic). Chinese consider having a knife at the table as barbaric, so most dishes are prepared in smaller pieces, ready for direct picking and eating.

Because of the large and varied nature of China itself, Chinese cuisine can be broken down into very many different regional styles.

See also cuisine, cooking.