Why isn't cheese available in a Chinese restaurant?

Question

Is there any cheese in China? Can you name a chinese cheese? Can you say Chinese cheese 3 times fast?

Answer 1

Good question. My first thought was that most of the world is lactose-intolerant, so cheese is just not popular in China. However, I found some articles that indicate perhaps economics is a factor.

For example, "When privately-held Frontier Foods first moved into China several years ago, critics said he was crazy. Chinese can't digest cheese and don't like the taste, they said. Moreover, China's food-distribution system wasn't set up for a product with a short shelf life that had to be stored chilled in warehouses and delivered by refrigerated trucks."

Also, "To some extent, the fact that Europe exports little to China is a reflection of the structure of the world cheese trade. Although the EU, with output of 5.6 million tons in 2004, is the largest producer of cheese, most of this is consumed and traded within its borders."

So maybe Chinese people are just not accustomed to eating cheese on a regular basis, and it did not become a major player in their cuisine.

I also found one Chinese cheese - Yunnan cheese:
"Yunnan Cheese is a curdled milk cheese made in Yunnan province in China. It goes by several different names locally, including the general word for cheese in Mandarin, rǔ lào 乳酪. It is made by mixing water buffalo milk and rice vinegar. It is usually served pan fried, and often dipped in various spices, most commonly black pepper. Several local minority groups take credit for inventing the cheese, notably the Naxi, the Dai, and the Muslim population. The cheese is similar to other curdled-milk cheeses, and is nearly identical in taste and texture to paneer."

Answer 2

People in China do not eat cheese. It's not part of their diet, so that probably also explains why they're all pretty skinny over there. Even when they come over here, they don't particularly prefer cheese either. However, I am Chinese and I like cheese because I was born here and grew up eating it :)

For those who think that Chinese restaurants serve cheese wontons, this is an Americanized Chinese dish, served in Americanized Chinese restaurants, such as Pick Up Stix, Panda Express, Panda Inn, etc. Try ordering this in an authentic Chinese restaurant and they will give you a very funny look. Just an FYI, real Chinese wontons are filled with minced meat, which tastes a lot better, and served in a soup broth. You just have to learn to distinguish between what is authentic and what is considered Americanized.

Answer 3

I believe you can find cheese at the Carrefour, however, cheese is not normal in China.
Also, I think the food-distribution system isn't set up for a product with a short shelf life that had to be stored chilled in warehouses and delivered by refrigerated trucks.
To date, China's cheese market is still tiny, with annual sales of around $30 million. So obviously, Chinese are eating cheese, but not is not a nation of cheese lovers as the North Americans or Europeans.

Answer 4

Back in the year 1893, the Chinese Empire fell into a dark age. An age where man and cheese could not walk hand-in-hand. In the event that the two actually contacted one another, great consequences came about. Consequences like internal gas, the craving for crackers, and sometimes... death. Not until many years later was there a cure for the common cheese: wine.

Answer 5

I think it is more of an economic reasons why cheese is not available in Chinese restaurants. There is no demand and that is why there is no supply. Most Chinese people do not have refrigeration facilities or too expensive to have refrigerator in their homes to keep those short shelf life cheese. Also China is more into agriculture to feed the staple food for that huge population. Cheese is like a luxury westernized item and sometimes even unheard of. They have their equivalent "Chinese cheese" made from soy beans called "fu yee" which is fermented tofu. Maybe now, as the economy is getting better, with facilities like refrigerator, air conditioner etc., and having exposed to the western world like McDonalds, Pizza etc in China, cheese is more acceptable.

Answer 6

One doesn't go to a Chinese restaurant to eat cheese , but to a French one.

Answer 7

Cheese like most dairy products, arent a part of the of the chinese main diet. Most chinese are lactose intolerant. It didn't become popular until it was brought with western cooking. :)

Answer 8

Eastern cuisine considers dairy for children only. Also, most eastern cuisines had no sure way of keeping dairy products cold for any length of time. Hence, no milk, no cheeses. Consequently, spices are often used in eastern restaurants, to (traditionally) cover up any suspect tastes that might indicate spoilage.

Answer 9

hmm... they sometimes put cheese in wontons...

they have things to make cheese I think, but I've never heard of one...

however I can say "chinese cheese" 3 times fast

Answer 10

yes i can say chinese cheese 3 times fast sorry i don't know about the rest try to yahoo it or goole it