A Bite of China

A Bite of China (Chinese: 舌尖上的中国; pinyin: Shéjiān shàng de Zhōngguó; lit.: 'China on the tongue tip') is a Chinese documentary television series on the history of food, eating, and cooking in China directed by Chen Xiaoqing (陈晓卿), narrated by Li Lihong (李立宏) with original music composed by Roc Chen (阿鲲). It first aired 14 May 2012 on China Central Television and quickly gained high ratings and widespread popularity.[1][2] The seven-episode documentary series, which began filming in March 2011, introduces the history and story behind foods of various kinds in more than 60 locations in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.[3] The documentary has also been actively encouraged as a means of introducing Chinese food culture to those unfamiliar with local cuisine. Various notable chefs such as Shen Hongfei and Chua Lam were consultants on the project.

A Bite of China
Simplified舌尖上的中国
MandarinShéjiān shàng de zhōngguó
GenreDocumentary
Created byLiu Wen
Directed byChen Xiaoqing
Narrated byLi Lihong
Composer(s)Roc Chen
Country of originChina
Original language(s)Mandarin Chinese
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes22
Production
Executive producer(s)Liu Wen
Producer(s)Zhou Yan, Shi Yan, Shi Shilun
Production location(s)China
Editor(s)Zhang Ning, Liu Wen
Running time50 minutes
Production company(s)China Central Television
DistributorChina Central Television
Release
Original networkCCTV-1, CCTV-9
Picture format576i (Letterboxed 4:3 SDTV),
1080i (HDTV)
Original release14 May 2012 (2012-05-14) 
present
External links
A Bite of China

A second season of A Bite of China, also consisting of seven episodes (plus trailer), aired from 18 April to 6 June 2014.[4][5] The third season is aired from 19 to 26 February 2018, during the Spring Festival holiday.[6]

Season 1

Episode Title Dish (Chinese) Dish (English) Location
1 The Gift from Nature 烤松茸 Grilled Matsutake Xamgyi'nyilha County, Yunnan
1 The Gift from Nature 油焖冬笋 Stewed bamboo shoots Suichang County, Zhejiang
1 The Gift from Nature 黄豆酸笋小黄鱼 Deep-fried little yellow croakers fried with soybean and pickled bamboo shoots Liuzhou, Guangxi
1 The Gift from Nature 螺蛳粉 Rice noodle in snail soup (Luosifen) Guangxi
1 The Gift from Nature 腌笃鲜 Yan Du Xian Suichang County, Zhejiang
1 The Gift from Nature 莴笋炒火腿 Nuodeng ham with Celtuce Dali, Yunnan
1 The Gift from Nature 火腿炒饭 Nuodeng ham fried rice Dali, Yunnan
1 The Gift from Nature 炸藕夹 Deep-fried lotus root sandwich Jiayu County, Hubei
1 The Gift from Nature 莲藕炖排骨 Stewed spareribs with lotus root Jiayu County, Hubei
1 The Gift from Nature 酸辣藕丁 Hot and sour diced lotus root Jiayu County, Hubei
1 The Gift from Nature 鱼头泡饼 Fish head soup with Chinese style flatbread Chagan Lake, Jilin
1 The Gift from Nature 垮炖杂鱼 Stewed mixed fish in thick soy sauce of Northeast Chinese style Chagan Lake, Jilin
1 The Gift from Nature 水煮红螺 Sanya, Hainan
1 The Gift from Nature 香煎马鲛鱼 Fried scomberomorus Sanya, Hainan
1 The Gift from Nature 蒜烧池子鱼 Sanya, Hainan
1 The Gift from Nature 酸菜炮弹鱼 Boiled bullet mackerel with pickled cabbage Sanya, Hainan
2 The Story of Staple Food 花馍 Dingcun, Xiangfen, Shanxi
2 The Story of Staple Food 黄馍馍 Steamed broom corn millet bun Suide County, Shaanxi
2 The Story of Staple Food Naan Kuche, Xinjiang
2 The Story of Staple Food 黎平汤粉 Liping Rice Noodle Soup Liping, Guizhou
2 The Story of Staple Food 干炒牛河 Beef chow fun Guangzhou
2 The Story of Staple Food 肉夹馍 Roujiamo Xi'an
2 The Story of Staple Food 泡馍 Paomo Xi'an
2 The Story of Staple Food 兰州牛肉面 Lanzhou beef lamian Lanzhou
2 The Story of Staple Food 竹升面 Jook-sing noodles Guangzhou
2 The Story of Staple Food 长寿面 Longevity Noodles Dingcun, Xiangfen,Shanxi
2 The Story of Staple Food 岐山臊子面 Qishan noodles with minced pork Qishan, Shaanxi
2 The Story of Staple Food 嘉兴肉粽子 Jiaxing meat sticky rice dumpling (meat Zongzi) Jiaxing, Zhejiang
2 The Story of Staple Food 宁波年糕 Ningbo rice cake (Ningbo Niangao) Ningbo, Zhejiang
2 The Story of Staple Food 梭子蟹炒年糕 Niangao (rice cake) stir-fried with crabs Ningbo, Zhejiang
2 The Story of Staple Food 焖面 Braised noodles Beijing
2 The Story of Staple Food 饺子 Jiaozi Beijing
3 Inspiration for Transformation 豆腐 Tofu Jianshui, Yunnan/Shiping, Yunnan/Shou County, Anhui
3 Inspiration for Transformation 奶豆腐/奶茶 Quark and milk tea Xilingol League, Inner Mongolia
3 Inspiration for Transformation 黄酒/酱油 Shaoxing wine and soy sauce Shaoxing
4 The Flavour of Time 泡菜 Pao cai Yanbian Prefecture, Jilin
4 The Flavour of Time 腊肠 (和興腊味) Chinese sausage (Wo Hing Preserved Meats) Hong Kong
4 The Flavour of Time 腌鱼, 腊肉 Cured Fish, Preserved Pork Xiangxi Prefecture, Hunan
4 The Flavour of Time 金华火腿 Jinhua ham Jinhua, Zhejiang
4 The Flavour of Time 虾酱 Shrimp paste Hong Kong
5 The Secret of Kitchen 汽锅鸡 Qiguo ji (Yunnan steamed chicken soup) Kunming
5 The Secret of Kitchen 包子 Baozi Yangzhou
5 The Secret of Kitchen 葱烧海参 Braised sea cucumber Shandong
5 The Secret of Kitchen 西湖醋鱼 West Lake fish in vinegar gravy Hangzhou
6 The Equillibrium of Tastes 糖葱薄饼 Spring onion flatbread Shantou
6 The Equillibrium of Tastes 熏鸭 Smoked duck Xiashan
6 The Equillibrium of Tastes 酱排骨 Cured spare ribs Wuxi
6 The Equillibrium of Tastes 陈皮鸭 Chenpi duck Macau
6 The Equillibrium of Tastes 盐焗鸡 Baked chicken in salt Guangdong
6 The Equillibrium of Tastes 糖醋排骨 Sweet and sour pork ribs Zhenjiang
6 The Equillibrium of Tastes 鱼香肉丝 Yuxiangrousi (Yuxiang shredded pork, Pork with garlic sauce) Sichuan
6 The Equillibrium of Tastes 豆瓣酱 Doubanjiang Sichuan
6 The Equillibrium of Tastes 麻婆豆腐 Mapo doufu Sichuan
6 The Equillibrium of Tastes 藤椒鱼 Rattan fish Sichuan
6 The Equillibrium of Tastes 麻辣火锅 Spicy hot pot Chongqing
6 The Equillibrium of Tastes 紫菜蛋汤 Seaweed egg drop soup Shantou
6 The Equillibrium of Tastes 鱼丸紫菜煲 Seaweed fish ball pot Shantou
6 The Equillibrium of Tastes 清蒸鱼 Steamed fish Guangzhou
6 The Equillibrium of Tastes 白切鸡 Steamed chicken Guangzhou
7 Our Fields 酸汤鱼 Fish in sour soup Zhangzidao, Liaoning
7 Our Fields 赛螃蟹 Saipangxie (Tasty-as-crab)
7 Our Fields 蟹黄汤包 Crab-roe tang bao Jingjiang, Jiangsu
7 Our Fields 蟹黄汪豆腐 Tofu with crab yolk Xinghua, Jiangsu
7 Our Fields 芋头红烧肉 Red braised pork belly with taro Xinghua, Jiangsu
7 Our Fields 青稞酒 Chhaang Tibet
7 Our Fields 油炸倭瓜花 Fried pumpkin flowers Beijing
7 Our Fields 角瓜饺子 Zucchini Jiaozi Beijing

Season 2

Some of these English translations are based on China Daily so may not be accurate.[7]

EpisodeTitleDish (Chinese)Dish (English)Location
1Footsteps麻辣香肠Spicy sausage
1Footsteps蜜汁鳗鱼Honey-glazed eel
1Footsteps清炖跳跳鱼Stewed mudskippers
1Footsteps山东煎饼Shandong-style jianbingShandong
1Footsteps潮州春卷Chaozhou spring rollsChaozhou, Guangdong
1Footsteps雷山鱼酱Leishan fish sauceLeishan County, Guizhou
1Footsteps酥油蜂蜜Honey shortening
1Footsteps蓝田裤带面Lantian Biangbiang noodlesLantian County, Shaanxi
1Footsteps煎饼卷大葱Scallions in Shandong-style jianbing
1Footsteps泉州萝卜饭Quanzhou radish rice rollQuanzhou, Fujian
2Heritage菜籽油Rapeseed OilShe County, Anhui
2Heritage挂面Hung-dried NoodlesShaanxi
2Heritage糯米卷Sticky Rice RollsSuzhou
2Heritage苏式小方糕Suzhou-style Little Diamond CakesSuzhou
2Heritage蕨根糍粑Fern Root CakeChenzhou
2Heritage蚝烙Or Luak (Oyster Omelette with Tapioca Starch)Shantou
2Heritage烫干丝Dried tofu threads in consomméYangzhou
2Heritage扣三丝Chicken, Mushroom, Ham Threads in ConsomméShanghai
2Heritage油爆河虾Flash Fried River ShrimpShanghai
2Heritage黄鳝啫啫煲Swamp eel clay potGuangzhou
2Heritage三套鸭Santaoya (Farm-raised duck stuffed with wild duck and squab)
2Heritage脱骨鱼Bone-free fish
2Heritage船点Boat pastrySuzhou
2Heritage枣泥拉糕Jujube paste cakeSuzhou
2Heritage苏州头汤面Suzhou noodles cooked in first-time soupSuzhou
2Heritage重庆小面Chongqing small noodlesChongqing
2Heritage凉拌猪耳Pig ears dressed with sause
2Heritage蒜泥白肉Thin-sliced pork belly with minced garlic sauce
2Heritage红油Chili oil
2Heritage油炸锅巴Fried Scorched rice
2Heritage回锅肉Twice cooked pork
3Seasons雷笋炒肉丝Fried shredded pork with early spring bamboo shoots
3Seasons笋干炖鸡Stewed chicken with dried bamboo shoots
3Seasons铁锅炖鱼Fish and tofu stewed in iron pot
3Seasons咸肉蒸黄泥拱竹笋Steamed bacon with Huang-ni-gong bamboo shoots
3Seasons榆钱饭Steamed elm seeds with cornmeal
3Seasons紫苏炒青蛳Purple perilla fried with water snails
3Seasons玛仁糖/切糕Xinjiang cut cakeXinjiang
3Seasons抓饭Xinjiang poluXinjiang
3Seasons虾子小刀面Noodles with shrimp roe
3Seasons桂花糯米藕Steamed lotus root stuffed with sticky rice and sweet olive flower
3Seasons板栗烧鸡Braised chicken with chestnuts
3Seasons老鸭雁来蕈Old duck stewed with lactarius deliciosus
4Home Cooking小凹馍Steamed concave buns made of maize flour and Chinese chives
4Home Cooking莜面凉皮Naked oat glass noodle
4Home Cooking天门蒸菜Tian-men steamed dishes
4Home Cooking红烧肉Red braised pork belly
4Home Cooking泡菜鱼Stewed fish in paocai
4Home Cooking泡菜Paocai
4Home Cooking西瓜酱Watermelon jam
4Home Cooking虾子焖茭白Shrimp roe stewed with manchurian wild rice
4Home Cooking蒲菜涨蛋Cattail omelette
4Home Cooking蒲菜水饺Cattail dumplings
4Home Cooking奶汤蒲菜Stewed cattail in milky soup
4Home Cooking蒲笋干烧肉Braised pork with cattail
4Home Cooking陈皮红豆沙Orange flavored red bean paste
4Home Cooking红豆姜撞奶Ginger milk with red bean
4Home Cooking莲子龟苓膏Lotus seed Guilinggao (tortoise jelly)
4Home Cooking木瓜雪耳羹Dessert soup with snow ear and papaya
4Home Cooking鹌鹑蛋白果糖水Tong sui (dessert soup) with quail eggs and ginkgo fruit
4Home Cooking黄糖糍粑Glutinous rice cake with brown sugar
4Home Cooking猪脚姜Stewed pig's feet with ginger
4Home Cooking冬瓜荷叶煲老鸭Boiled old duck with winter melon and lotus leaf
5Encounters小鸡炖蘑菇Stewed chick with mushroomJilin
5Encounters烩南北Stewed mushrooms with winter bamboo shoots
5Encounters重庆火锅Chongqing hot potChongqing
5Encounters北京涮肉火锅Beijing hot pot (Shuan yangrou)Beijing
5Encounters云南菌子火锅Yunnan mushroom hot potYunnan
5Encounters潮汕牛肉火锅Chaoshan Beef hot potChaoshan
5Encounters鸡蛋仔Egg puffHong Kong
5Encounters粉圆Tapioca PearlsHong Kong
5Encounters烤香肠Toasted sausage
5Encounters葡式焗扇贝Portuguese-style baked scallopsMacau
5Encounters豆腐蒸桂花鱼Steamed mandarin fish with tofu
5Encounters金汤水煮鳜鱼Stewed mandarin fish in pumpkin soup
5Encounters水煮海鲜Poached seafood
5Encounters盆菜Poon choi / basin meal
5Encounters西湖醋鱼West Lake fish in vinegar gravy
5Encounters鲤鱼焙面Baked noodles with sweet-and-sour carp
5Encounters开封灌汤包Kaifeng soup dumplingsKaifeng
5Encounters杭州小笼包Hangzhou soup dumplingsHangzhou
5Encounters片儿川Noodles with pork, bamboo shoot and Chinese mustard green (Pian'erchuan)Kaifeng, Henan
5Encounters罗宋汤BorschtShanghai
5Encounters炸猪排Deep fried pork cutletShanghai
5Encounters牛肉球Steamed beef ball
5Encounters纳仁Stewed mutton with noodles (Naren)
5Encounters大盘鸡Saute spicy chicken with potatoes and noodles (Dapanji)Xinjiang
5Encounters架子肉Meat roasted on skewer
5Encounters烤包子Roasted samsas
5Encounters拉条子Lagman noodleXinjiang
5Encounters上海桂花糕Shanghai osmanthus cake
5Encounters红烧牛肉面Noodles with red braised beef
5Encounters壳菜肉/淡菜Dried mussel meat
6Secret Realms酸辣华子鱼Hot and sour Amur ide
6Secret Realms沙蟹汁Ghost crab extract
6Secret Realms韭花酱Chive flower sauce
6Secret Realms羊肚包肉Roasted mutton wrapped in lamb tripe
6Secret Realms红柳枝烤羊肉Mutton cubes kawap on rose willow branch
6Secret Realms手抓羊肉Boiled mutton / Mutton eaten with hands
6Secret RealmsXinjiang naanXinjiang
6Secret Realms清蒸石斑鱼Steamed grouper
6Secret Realms清蒸鱼干Steamed dried fish
6Secret Realms清蒸虾干Steamed dried shrimps
6Secret Realms炒鸡枞Fried termite mushroom
7Three Meals煎饼果子Tianjin-style jianbing (jianbing with youtiao)Tianjin
7Three Meals面窝Mianwo (Wuhan-style fried doughnut)Wuhan
7Three Meals三鲜豆皮Seafood tofu skin
7Three Meals热干面Hot dry noodlesWuhan
7Three Meals艇仔粥Tingzai porridgeGuangzhou
7Three Meals肠粉Rice noodle rollGuangzhou
7Three Meals干蒸烧卖Siu mai (Steamed pork dumplings)Guangzhou
7Three Meals榴莲酥Crispy durian cakeGuangzhou
7Three Meals虾饺Har gow (Steamed shrimp dumpling)Guangzhou
7Three Meals咸鸭蛋Salted duck egg
7Three Meals剁椒蒸鱼头Steamed fish head with pickled peppers
7Three Meals蒿子粑粑Crown daisy rice cake
7Three Meals干子烧肉Braised pork with dried tofu
7Three Meals时蔬彩虹蛋糕Seasonal vegetables rainbow cake
7Three Meals冰皮月饼Snow skin mooncakeHong Kong
7Three Meals生煎包Shengjian mantou (Fried bun stuffed with pork)
7Three Meals锅盔Guokui
7Three Meals豌杂面Noodles with peas and meat sauceSichuan
7Three Meals麻辣鸡Chicken cured with chili and flower pepper
7Three Meals酸木瓜煮鱼Stewed fish with pickled papaya
7Three Meals爆炒见手青Stir-fried Jian-Shou-Qing mushrooms

Reception

A Bite of China attracted high ratings during its nightly airing on CCTV-1, drawing an estimated 100 million viewers.[8] It also has an overall approval rating of 91% on Douban.[9] Oliver Thring of The Guardian praised it as "the best TV show I've ever seen about food. I'd hazard it's the best one ever made."[10]

Criticism

In the Episode 2 of the Season 3, the voice-over indicates that Huifang as a community in Xi'an dates back to Tang dynasty. The remark was refuted by a history scholar, Yu Gengzhe. Yu commented on Weibo that where present-day Huifang located, was the Central Secretariat of Tang, along with the barracks of the imperial guards. And a mosque supposedly was sited there in the Song.[11]

Controversies

The background Chinese painting appeared in the documentary's poster is "Ridge cloud with rain" (岭云带雨) by Xu Qinsong (许钦松). At first, the poster designer used the painting without permission of Mr. Xu, However, this copyright issue was later solved by reconciliation between the artist and the documentary producer.[12]

International Broadcast

References

  1. Jia, Mei (2012-06-24). "Readers sink their teeth into A Bite of China". China Daily. Retrieved 2012-04-26.
  2. Chow, Jason (11 June 2012). "CCTV Finds the Way to Viewers' Hearts is Through Gorgeous Food Documentary". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2012-06-26.
  3. ""Shéjiān shàng de zhōngguó" měishí bèihòu de zhǔxuánlǜ" 舌尖上的中国》美食背后的主旋律 ["Tongue on the Chinese" food behind the main theme]. Retrieved 2012-06-24.
  4. "Shéjiān shàng de zhōngguó dì èr jì" 舌尖上的中国第二季 [Tongue on the second quarter of China]. CCTV. Retrieved 2014-04-16.
  5. ""Shéjiān shàng de zhōngguó" dì èr jì zuìxīn fēnjí jiǎnjiè" 《舌尖上的中国》第二季最新分集简介 ["On the tip of the txongue in China," the second quarter of the latest diversity introduction]. CCTV. Retrieved 2016-10-30.
  6. "Season 3 of 'A Bite of China' to debut during holiday". CGTN. 2018-02-11. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
  7. "舌尖上的中国2"美食英文说法. China Daily. Retrieved 2016-10-30.
  8. ""A Bite of China" becomes the rage". Xinhua News Agency.
  9. "Shéjiān shàng de zhōngguó (dòubàn)" 舌尖上的中国(豆瓣) [On the tongue of China (watercress)]. Retrieved 2012-12-02.
  10. Thring, Oliver (2012-09-12). "A Bite of China: the finest food TV ever?". The Guardian. This is just one segment of the best TV show I've ever seen about food. I'd hazard it's the best one ever made.
  11. Ma, Changshou (2009). 马长寿民族史研究著作选. Shanghai People's Press. ISBN 7208085242.
  12. "TV documentary gets right to use image". China Daily. 2012-06-14. Retrieved 2012-06-14.
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