Changing Chinese Dining Culture over Past Decades

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BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) — From simply meeting basic food needs to today's pursuit of healthy and savory eating, the diet of Chinese people has undergone a dramatic transformation since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. Over the past 75 years, the dining tables have witnessed China's economic development and social progress.

In the early years after the country was founded, the foods on the dining tables were primarily grain-based, to ensure everyone had enough to eat. 

Wang Dezhu (1st L) and his family enjoy a reunion dinner during the Spring Festival in north China's Tianjin, in 1953. [Xinhua]

With the improvement of agricultural productivity, people's dietary structure began to shift from a grain-dominated "staple food diet" to a nutritional one that included more meat, eggs, and dairy products. People were no longer satisfied with just eating enough but began to pursue eating well.

This photo issued on Aug. 25, 1988 shows family members enjoying hot pot in Beijing, capital of China. [Xinhua/Du Jie]

This photo issued on Oct. 10, 1987 shows the first Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) Restaurant holding a soft opening in Beijing, capital of China. [Xinhua/Zhang Shuyuan]

In the 1990s, as China's economy surged forward, dining out in restaurants became popular nationwide. Inviting friends and family to eat out became a symbol of status. Restaurants serving various cuisines from different regions began to take root across the country, and Western fast-food chains emerged in large numbers. Even rural-style repasts captured the attention of urban residents, providing people with more dining options.

This undated file photo shows the seafood hall of Beijing Hong Kong Cates Restaurant opening to public on Wangfujing Street in Beijing, capital of China, in 1992. [Xinhua/Zhang Yanhui]

Nowadays, the Chinese diet is evolving to emphasize health and convenience. Organic green foods become the new favorites on dining tables. The booming food delivery industry allows people to enjoy meals from the comfort of their homes. The blend of traditional dietary culture and modern innovations, along with a diverse array of foods, continues to enrich the dining tables of Chinese people.

A man buys light food at a gym in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, July 18, 2016. [Xinhua/Mao Siqian]

(Source: Xinhua)

Editor: Wang Shasha