According to the French author Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, we eat can show our personality, character, and culture. Chinese cuisine is a case in point. Prior to (come) to China, I only experienced Chinese food that (change) to suit American tastes. America's most popular Chinese dish is General Tso's chicken, which tells us a lot about Americans.

When I came to Beijing, a friend recommended a Sichuan restaurant where we had the (please) of experiencing an entirely new taste: Sichuan peppercorns. What was even (important) was the friendship offered us. In Shandong, I liked boiled dumplings (serve) with vinegar best. I observed that family is important to the people there. In northern Xinjiang, I enjoyed boiled roasted meat. Everywhere we went, we experienced wonderful local dishes. Although the food is as varied the people, Chinese people everywhere show friendship and kindness through food. From (I) experience, I know that culture and cuisine go hand in hand, and if you do not experience one, you can never (real) know the other.