I am from the U.S. and I am soon going to China. What foods are dangerous for me to eat while I'm there?

Question

I need good answers becuase I am leaving at the end of this month and I don't want to get any food poisoning and stuff like that.....thanks!

Answer 1

Hi, I will be going this aug for a few months. Basically unless you will be traveling off the beaten path allot there are only two things you have to worry about: tap water (any form including ice) and some kinds of seafood like shellfish. If your going to be on a tight budget you will of course be eating street food.. I would only buy from some one that has allot of business. If you have the money and are really worried about it avoid the street food all together. Don't worry about dogs, snakes, or rats because although they might be nasty or offensive to us they only serve those in southern china and even then they cook them well. Good luck and have fun in the middle kingdom.

Answer 2

Most of the food in restaurants and hotels will be just fine, it's not like Mexico where no matter what precautions you take, you're going to get sick. Don't worry about cats, dogs, rats and the like, unless you go searching for them, you won't see them (maybe in the fresh markets). Basically, the precautions you need to take in China would apply most anywhere you would travel. Drink bottled water, avoid raw vegetables and fruits, as most intestinal bacterial infections are from raw fruits and veggies. Be careful of street food, never eat meats or cooked food that have been allowed to cool or is left at room temperature for even short periods of time. Try to observe the cleanliness of wherever you're eating, if it looks filthy, don't eat there. I've traveled extensively in China and now live in Asia and I've never had any food poisoning or infections from food, just use common sense and I think you'll be fine. Have a good trip! PS. I've never had it myself, but have been told that dog is delicious.

Answer 3

You know China isn't that poor or Chinese won't try to poison you because you are a foreigner. I have been in China for now 2 years and I have never been sick because of the food I eat in the street or in restaurant.

Even if the kitchen is dirty, the food is fine and delicious. Of course Chinese eat snake, dog or other things that we find disgusting. And they are still alive. So there is nothing to worry about. Unless you really need disgusting food then just try to find the place for it. but in most places you won't have these kind of food

Answer 4

Avoid anything that looks raw, Chinese don't like to cook their chicken all the way, it's usually left partially raw. You can drink bottled distilled water or even boiled water.
Watch out for the street side restaurants, they don't have dishwashers, they have a large metal bowl in the front of the place, that they drop all their bowls and chopsticks into. When they need a bowl, it's fished out and used. the water is hardly changed. the first time I went to china, I lost 13 pounds in a week. You have take your chances with the food, if it doesn't look good to you, don't eat it.
You can eat the fruits, but not the popsicles.

Answer 5

I am also from the USA. I have been here in China with my wife (Chinese) since May. Basically the food here is very safe. I have had no problems what so ever with the foods. I have been to large cities and rural areas. I found that the food here is much different than the Chinese food we get in USA. The food is tastier and the flavors come out more as they do not use so much soy sauce in praparing the foods. I found that the Spicier foods in Sichuan are the best tasting foods.

The foods here are not dangerous. The establishments may not appear to meet your standards but honestly they are safe.

You will find that the menus here do not relfelct anything you seei on a menu in the USA. The Usa has Chinese american foods. youmay not find fried rice as you are used to , again they do not use much or any soy sauce here. There is no Lo mein here but the fried noodles is similar to this, again not much use of soy sauce.

Personall, I do not eat any animal brains or stomache linings. And of ocurse i do not eat any pets or small birds. Chicken, pork and beef are very plentiful here. It will be difficult to find eggs and potatoes on a menu. I have yet to see a ha, steak or even anythingthat resembles ham as i am use to. There are mac donalds kfc and other fast foods in China. I found that Mac donalds is the best place for coffee. If oy like american blend of coffee. You will find that the coffee on most menus is foreign. Not what we are used to. I found that blue maontain or brazilian coffee is good. However, i must ask for one extra emtyy coffe cup and a galls of hot water. I usually (Must) poor half of the coffee into the emty cup and then fill both cups up with the hot water (Dilute the coffee) . If not the coffee is to strong to drink. Mac donalds has good american coffee and not need to dilute. There are no tea vbags here if you like tea. The leaves are simply put in the hot water. By the way, when you ask for water it will be hot water. Try to ask for cold water, this will be difficult but manageable. Only drink bottled water on the street, hotel, or other places. The tap water is not safe, that is certain.

You can buy fruits and vegetables anywhere. There are many stands available to you day and night. You MUST wash them thoroughly. They are safe.

So again do not expect to get the same flavor of foods oyu are used to in the USA, its just not going to happen. You will experience a wholer new type of food here. You wil like the food and the people. The people will try to make you as comfortble as possible and respect you .

Word of caution. BEWARE AT THE AIRPORTS ON ARRIVAL. There are many people there to offer services such as check your bags, travel and such. Do not use these people. Only trust persons with airport Identification badges. Make sure the cab driver uses the meter. Baggage check if free so no need to pay someone 50 to 100 usd for this.
This scam is prevalent in Gungzhou baiyun airport. I did not get this problem in Shanghai, Chengdu , Chongqin or nanning. Honk Kiong airport is pretty much safe also. Also be careful in Shenzhen air port i had some difficulty there also but was wise to them. A simple term in Chinese will let them know you do not want there serveice. Just say BU YAO (BOO YOW) means no want or wa boo yow i dont want.

You will enjoy China and come to love it. It is a very good place to visit relax and enjoy life. The people here are great have a nice trip.

Any other questions I may help you with please send me an e mail. I am not an expert but am becoming experienced

Answer 6

Some of the previous answers are somewhat crude and incorrect.

I have lived in China now for three years, and I eat out often. I am also a Registered Sanitarian and a Diplomate of the American Academy of Sanitarians. I have not been ill once from eating at restaurants in China.

Aside from some very strange regional foods (e.g., monkey brains in the far southeast among ethnic Thais which can have a number of prion-based diseases), you should be safe if you eat at establishments other than street vendors (although some of these can be OK, too). If you are planning on traveling to remote, rural areas, of course you have to be careful.

I would not worry too much about food in any city of China.

Answer 7

:) pls don't worry. I'm from HK(China) but I never eat monkey brain or cat... just ate dog and snake once when I was a child. I always reject these kinds of food... It's unusual food. I still feel trembling..anyway so I understand how you guys feel. But most of the parts in China is developed (ofcoz not as well as in the state) but it's fine. So as long as you find a clean restaurant please feel free to enjoy the food. Like you are traveling to other country, you may not acclimatized. So I recommend you to bring few bottles of waters along.
Or you can eat in the McDonald and KFC there.
But I'm sure you are realistic and not that worried so enjoy your trip ;)

Answer 8

If you want to avoid food poisoning, don't go to China. Most places don't have soap, chefs spit and wipe there nose while they cook, and most Chinese no nothing about cross contamination. Foreigners who don't get food poisoning in China are few and far between. I lost 20 pounds in a month.
Amazingly, believe it or not, McDonalds and KFC are probably the cleanest eating establishments in the country. That and Muslim noodle restaurants.

pointers*
- avoid buffets! They're usually not warm and people sneeze on them.
- Make sure your food is steaming hot to help kill any bacteria
- I've noticed really spicy food helps kill bacteria, but that might just be me
- watch people cook your food if at all possible, especially at street barbecues. It's not uncommon to see them take raw food off a plate to put your food on it.
- mutton from BBQ' during the winter. You'll notice that cats are conspicuously absent during the winter. Put 2 and 2 together. Even the censored Chinese press reported on it
- Unless you're dying, don't go to the doctor. Hospitals in China are notoriously corrupt and often issue fake drugs or too small of prescriptions. You might feel better for a little while, but you'll be going back
- Only buy bottled water from places that look really trust worthy.
- If there is something sketchy about your food, don't be afraid to send it back. There is absolutely no need to be curteous in China. You would be the only one and would be screwed over repeatedly.

hope this helps. May God be with you

Answer 9

I think some people don't tell you the truth. In Hong Kong they often list the products from China that are chemically contaminated, cancer-causing etc.
On top of that comes the personal hygiene of restaurant owners, chefs, waiting staff etc (for example the cooking oil is not often changed, moslty 'cleaned' by adding some chemicals...) If you're not careful - you can get seriously sick, or damage your stomach or liver. Sometimes those damages may come up first few years later.
As someone mentioned - probably McDonalds, KFC and Pizza Hut are the most reliable - but you never know - the staff running those food outlets is Chinese. Vegetables may be contaminated - they grow them in various places. Fruits - it happens that oranges are painted with orange paint...
The Muslim restaurants are quite good. But don't drink unboiled water and don't eat fish!!! - fish is really chemically-contaminated as most of the rivers and lakes are heavily polluted in China. You can always bring some food with you from the US.

Answer 10

i've spent 10 weeks in china, with my chinese wife. we ate at the best and worst looking restaurants. if there are a lot of people there, it usually means that the food is good. that sounded like a good measure if you ask me. they eat things that we don't eat, that's just a different culture. there is only one thing that i watched out for and that's the water. only 5 star hotels have drinkable water. hot water or tea is usually served at meals and i never got sick. i think that americans could learn a lot from the chinese about what is good for them. they are a lot more healthier than we are. and then if all else fails, they have mcdonalds, pizza hut, subway,and kfc. those places are all over the place and taste very much like ours do. have fun, i guarantee that you will like it.