Comparison Of Chinese Food To Western Food

Abstract

A research project theme is regarding to “comparison of Chinese food to western food”. The reason why the author choose this topic that there are differences between China and British culture. The main research is about what kind of Chinese food is popular in the UK. A hypothesis is that most of the British people eat Chinese food, for example Chinese hotpot. We must through the research obtain the answer. We are surfing online information and doing a questionnaire survey and interview, getting a vast of important information to prove this research project.

 

The study one of the most dramatic social changes of modern edge: radical change eating habits of the western world. This topic is so wide, It is discussion limited to aspect of change: the change of the attitude to Chinese food, western in recent years, opened a Chinese restaurant or takeaway in almost every town in the west. The key idea is limited in the literature, these changes the way has been westerners in English writing, in terms of geography, the introduction of the Chinese food culture towards the west.

 

Chapter1  Introduction

1.1 Introduction

The food has been playing an important role in everyone’s daily life. The different food represents a different culture for Chinese and British people. Every place has its own specialty, specialty materials to do everything over the whole world. So this is a no changes phenomenon which is eating habit.

 

Differences between Chinese and western table manners, favored by Chinese and western philosophy and all kinds of social factors, making the distance of the two cultures. In China, any a banquet, whatever the purpose, there will be a kind of form, sharing a seat, banquet with round table, this is formal for a kind of unity, courtesy of momentum.A table delicacy in the center of the people is both a table where people appreciate the object of the taste, and a table of emotional communication medium. People toast each other to make food and good things in front, embodying the mutual respect for let virtue. This reflects Chinese classical philosophy and the category of offspring thought, facilitating collective emotional communication, therefore, it is difficult to reform.

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1.2 Background

1.2.1 Chinese food

Many characteristics of Chinese food culture are reflected in the diet culture, imposing a direct impact on the development of China's food culture.Firstly, the population pressure and the existence of a variety of reasons, the other is given priority to with grain, meat, fruit and so on, complementary with herb, which is a typical meal structure food, of course, the function and the function of salt have in common, but is not synonymous with salt. The primary aim of this has prompted the Chinese cooking diet, make not delicious food ring; Then, the pursuit of the Chinese culture unlined upper garment, and the Chinese handicraft industry developed, so the cooking food processing technology is second to none in the world, embodying the characteristics of China's cultural unlined upper garment. All of these, make the Chinese food culture have the following characteristics. Firstly, Chinese cooking technology is developed, and many westerners like to eat, after a Chinese chef, makes people become a see appetite open. Secondly, the Chinese diet is widespread, becomes the first requirement for dinner.

 

1.2.2 Western food

Contrast notice "Flavor" Chinese food, western is a rational diet idea. No matter what food color, fragrance, taste, shape ,the nutrition must be guaranteed, paying attention to a day to absorb how much quantity of heat, vitamin, protein and so on. This diet idea with western whole philosophy system is adapted. This philosophy of western culture with life and make it in natural science, psychology and methodology realized the development by leaps and bounds. But in other ways, this philosophy advocated greatly, playing the role of obstacles, such as food culture. On the banquet, it is important to pay attention to tableware, materials and service, in the form of exquisite dishes of raw materials, color collocation;Thus, the purpose of Chinese banquet and western banquet companionship is very obvious, and there is more obvious differences between the Chinese diet and the western popular buffet, also showing the westerners' respect for individuality and self. But each has each, each other is not interfered with, lacking of some Chinese people like to chat with emotional appeal.

 

1.3 Hypotheses

Hypothesis H1:Through the "Nanjing treaty" open trade, brought Chinese food to western country that opens the door to the world.

Hypothesis H2:Most British people choose to eat Chinese food.

Hypothesis H3:Most British people choose to eat fast food on weekday.

 

1.4 Research questions

--What is the development history of Chinese food?

--What is the status of Chinese food in the UK?

--What are the influences on fast food?

 

1.5 Budget scale

Budget
Serial no	Category	Time	Price
1	Questionnaire printing	10 minutes	£10
2	Transportation	2 hours	£20
3	Visiting Chinese restaurant	2 hours	£20/person
4	Visiting UK restaurant	2 hours	£10/person
5	Printing project	30 minutes	£15
Total			£75

 

In order to finish the research project, it is necessary that visit Chinese restaurant and UK restaurant and eat something to compare the difference of those food. Printing questionnaire and source are essential thing for my research project.

1.6 Gantt chart

It takes 7 weeks to finish the research project, including the five main chapter which is Introduction, Literature Review, Research methodology, Data analysis, findings, and discussion, and Conclusion. Following this Gantt chart finishes the whole assessment steps by steps.

 

Gantt chart for“Comparison of Chinese food to western food” Research project
Task	Week1	Week2	Week3	Week4	Week5	Week6	Week7
Choose topic
Proposal
Find secondary source
Complete Gantt Chart
Chapter1
Chapter2
Chapter3
Chapter4
Chapter5
Prepare presentation
Submit essay

 

1.7 The difference between China and Britain culture

Following three aspects of Chinese and western food culture distinct . Firstly, the two different diet ideas: this diet idea with western whole philosophy system is adapted. Metaphysics is the main characteristic of western philosophy. This proverb means that we are as important as eating at everyday, so just can have a unique eat to see everything diet culture. Secondly, the differences between Chinese and western diet object: many westerners as outcast, are excellent raw materials in China. Foreign chefs can't handle things. To a Chinese chef hands, it can be changed decayed for magical. When westerners introduce their diet characteristics, paying attention to the cause of the collocation of nutrition than China, having more developed food industry, such as canned, fast food, taste the same, but it saves time and good nutrition. Thirdly, the different way of eating: Chinese and western eating habits are different, the difference of national character may also be affected. In China, any a banquet, whatever the purpose, it will only have a kind of form, all round and round, sharing one seat. Banquet with round table. In the Formal banquet table, it creates an atmosphere of unity, politeness, boring, but it is in line with the general state of mind that our national "happiness", reflecting Chinese classical philosophy and the category to offspring thought, facilitating collective emotional communication, and therefore difficult to reform.

 

1.8 Conclusion

The first chapter is mainly presented in that introduction, background, hypothesis, research questions,budget scale, Gantt chart and conclusion of chapter1. The research project compares Chinese food and western food, as we can see that Chinese diet is more obviously different from the western diet.

 

The main research aspects that Chinese and western food the popularity of their food in the field of the other party, and popular in the field of their different and influence on Chinese food and western food.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter2  Literature Review

2.1 Introduction

Some theory, this chapter will refer to William commentary pointed out that the rich fruit, the most delicious citrus fruit is orange, but he told the Chinese kimchi, in a large number of edible, but foreigners find odious.
This chapter will on the development history of Chinese, and William's comments to confirm.

 

2.2 The history of Chinese food

At the end of the treaty of Nanjing, the first opium war (1839-1842) five Chinese ports: Guangzhou, Xiamen, Fuzhou, Ningbo, Shanghai, was opened trade and the British businessman, a correction soon spread to other western countries. In the western community established trading ports. And business interests, merchants, and others came to China in the early 19th century, might be expected to spend a long dead Chinese coast, and become the "twenty - years - in - the - country - and - speak - the - language" of one of the people.Roberts, J. A. G. (2002, P53) These intentions are often depressed, many of the early western residents untimely died in China.

Williams (2002) then review project of Chinese food and cooking methods. He explained how the quality of steamed rice did not form a pie, often results when the chef cook Christian countries. He describes the voluminous vegetables, including at least 20 kinds of ‘cucurbitaceous plants’, although these vegetables are not as good as their equivalents in western science had improved their size and taste. His comments, points out that the rich fruit, the most delicious citrus fruit is orange, but he told the Chinese kimchi, in a large number of edible, but foreigners find odious. He said that the Chinese table, no bread, butter and milk, seem ill-furnished foreigners, but if this criticism of Chinese answer would be "you eat cheese, sometimes almost can walk.”

 

2.3 Literature Evidence

Treaty ports of western colonial attitude are the challenge of the nationalist revolution in 1925, and after some changes occurred in social relations. In 1928, he became a British Consul - General in Nanjing, set up a close and intimate relationship with C.T. Wang?2002?, the new minister in charge of foreign affairs. He will never forget the single-minded enjoy home for dinner. "the king held an international club, to promote international relations. Hewlett ?2002?declared that no happy meeting - ground of all ethnic groups in China anywhere. Some western companies are discovering that political employees to change their practices in China. Scott arrived in HongKong in 1934 butterfield and Swire work, he was a company Brirish - educated Chinese assistance and immediately take "chop stick" dish.

Some missionaries have also changed their way of life in the direction of the more equal relationship with my Chinese colleagues, including the relationship between the sharing of food.

 

In 1927, meeting with foreign offered cake, Chinese tea and cakes. China union university senate tea is made by a Chinese and a foreigner. Religious education in the  China held in 1931, meeting the west and China on behalf of the first frost.

 

In the period between two world wars within some of the Chinese culture western admirers developed an aesthetic of Chinese food. Richard William?2002? Germany teacher, working in China for 25 years, mainly in Beijing and Qingdao, wrote the soul of China.“What, he asked had the East to teach us?”Roberts, J. A. G. (2002, P86-87) According to William?2002? a European public transport, may be two different groups sitting in the same table, will be deemed to be rough and unpleasant in China.

Europe just swallow food habit of strange Chinese, not ashamed to honor a good meal, William?2002? that master since ancient times, Chinese cuisine and reference case to persuade King Tang, Shang dynasty, because his cooking skills and timely to become the king's right hand man. William?2002? also describes some experts restaurant in Beijing has been found.

 

His story switch on the wall of the restaurant, serving the roast pig, shark fin, the swallow's nest, fish meat pie and one hundred other things, all ready to a strict vegetarian. The restaurant was frequented by connoisseurs. Other European cuisine restaurant has taken characteristics, such as sauce with different kinds of bread and milk.

 

2.4 Fast food

The spread of Chinese food in different parts of the world is undoubtedly one of the most striking example of globalization of food. Although it is by no means unique, unstoppable rise evidence of McDonald's and burger consumption. Roberts, J. A. G. (2002, P216)

From several aspects such as McDonald's fast food chain in the west, they have an origin and the lower part of the national food market have things in common. They are all in the network to provide cheap takeout food, the night is still open.
In nineteenth century Britain needs. More and more young people, there is not a formal diet, the rise of restaurant eating and curiosity of American culture, through the food, and many other factors, leading to the spread of food outlets in the service of these needs.

 

In the UK, breaking the eating habits of the past clearly takeaways in a fish and chip for the business man. Fast food is an important cause including the spread of Chinese food in North America and Britain, in the longer term changes in the eating habits of the middle class, which is not influenced by economic factors, more personal taste the strengthening of the transformation of consciousness, under the influence of ml of nutrition. Recently with the rapid increase of habit eating, plus explosion in the number of ethnic restaurants in the west has been a subject of many studies.

 

2.5 Conclusion

This chapter studies the development of Chinese history. Theory provides the information globalization, the globalization of Chinese food and cooking. Chinese food has changed their way of life more equal relationship with my Chinese colleagues, including the relationship between the sharing of food. William said Chinese cuisine and reference case to persuade Tang and Shang dynasty of foundering at the ancient time, because his cooking skills and timely to become the king's right hand man.
 

This survey report test of different countries, age, gender, people made a questionnaire, through the investigation and analysis found that primary and secondary resources.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter3  Research methodology

3.1 Research methods                                 

This chapter will discuss the research methods of this research project,in which is comparison to Chinese food and western food it provides the technical methods of Chapter 1 to answer questions, and puts forward some relevant evidence, to real these problems.
This chapter will be the first to research strategy, explaining the plan implementation study, through research methods. The research project is in the end, and the method adopts will be explained.

 

3.2 Primary&Secondary

Primary

This can be through the forms, including questionnaires, direct observation and interview among others. The primary purpose of this study is to analyze the influence of the amount of different regions in Chinese and western food history development. Received questionnaire investigation of the different ages, different nationality and gender.
Therefore, a set of objective data obtained the opinion of the random through questionnaire and interview research method. That makes the results easier to analyze and compare.

Secondary

The secondary purpose of this research is reading books and surfing online, through the different methods and ideas. Primary research is often undertaken after the researcher has gained some insight into the issue by collecting secondary data. This survey has been used to collect data and results in the form Google.

 

3.3 Qualitative&Quantitative

The objective of quantitative research is to use mathematical models to analyse theories. It is a logical and data approach which provides a measure of what people think about a statistical and numerical point of view.

This survey is used for qualitative and quantitative research methods to collect data, from people's point of view. The quantitative research and analysis of the quantitative variables by using a statistical method, and this research set up some choice and multiple choice, collect quantitative data and quantitative methods.
This study used a questionnaire (Appendix 1), the main source of collecting statistics. The questionnaire has 15 questions and five interview questions, including quality and quantity research method. Using E-mail in the form of data collection in the questionnaire and face to face to continue the interview question, to understand the potential reasons, opinions, and motivations, it can make the whole process of the survey is more effective and accurate. The results made of 12 people to complete the questionnaire which are 5 classmates, 5 roommates and 2 reception managers.
 

3.4 Sampling framework

Using E-mail to release, author of the random and widely for collecting data. The author invited 12 people of different nationalities, age and gender, helping complete these questions. These people are chosen as investigator, because I want from different countries, age and gender, it is concluded that the data, and carries on the analysis, this data will only be more comprehensive and accurate. Because of the different countries, age and gender, it will be different from the Chinese food and western food.

 

3.5 Ethic&Bias

We are designing of the questionnaire and interview to avoid some sensitive topic, giving the different countries, age and gender investigator. As diet culture may be associated with religious belief, studies avoid mentioning pork, meat or other banned food materials in different religion. Personal information and privacy, sensitive topic are to avoid the stages of data collection, analysis and report the results. In the research, designing problems should be avoided in some biased, such as religion, belief.

 

3.6 Limitations

Due to the limitation of time, it takes only seven weeks for students to complete research projects, research can't be in for a long time data collection, data samples are not enough to make the research more objective. In order to reduce the restrictions, the secondary sources are collected.

The hardest part is the literature review for this project. The purpose of collecting relevant information, borrowing the books in the library, it is important that this book a lot of information source, research methods, including qualitative and quantitative research methods, the discussion, the second is how to collect data and limitations.
Finding a message in the same way to do a questionnaire survey and collect response to the need to spend a lot of time. And this is a time limit of faults.

 

3.7 Conclusion

Primary research and secondary research are important for the project, primary research addresses specific research issues as the research controls the search design to fit their needs, great control not only does primary research enables the marketer to focus on specific subjects. On the contrary, primary data may be very expensive in preparing and carrying out the research than to acquire secondary data. By the time the research is complete it may be out of date.

Secondary research involves the summary, collation and synthesis of existing research. The use of secondary data has allowed researchers access to valuable information of little or no cost to acquire. Therefore, this information is much less expensive than if the researchers had to carry out the research themselves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter4 Data analysis, findings and discussion

4.1 Results

This chapter will discuss the survey data analysis, analyzing the popularity of the Chinese food and western food. First of all, some quantitative data from the survey. Then, modify the Chinese food the analysis of the relationship between its popularity and its impression in people's hearts, will be for its further development suggestions. Therefore, as can be discussed the topic “Comparison of Chinese food to western food”.

 

4.2 Quantitative Research Analysis

Through the questionnaire which is close question, multiple choice questions, and dichotomous questions. Using the questionnaire answers the research question and hypothesis. The results made of 12 people to complete the questionnaire which are 5 classmates, 5 roommates and 2 reception managers.

         Figure 4.1

     

        Figure 4.2                                Figure 4.3

Figure 4.1,4.2,4.3 demonstrates making a questionnaire which is introduction those people’s background from different countries between 18-40. Because different countries bring different culture of local food, and the different ages feedback they prefer what kind of food.

 

 

Which one do you prefer Chinese food or western food?

• Chinese
• Western

Do you think what kind of food is more healthy?

• Chinese
• Western

                                               Figure 4.4

                                             

 

Do you like to try foreign food?

• Like
• Occasionally
• Never 

 

 

 

                                               Figure 4.5

 

As Figure 4.4,4.5 shows people prefer western food than Chinese food, because of making western food simple than Chinese food, it takes a short time to finish a meal.Currently, western food is more and more popular in the whole world,especially in China. But, Chinese food is healthier than western food, most western food is fried food, Fried are not healthy to the body by ourselves, causing obesity, comparison with Chinese food are healthy, but the production process will have trouble for everybody, everyone has his own favorite way, this survey is to help us doing a system analysis. Most people (60%) will try foreign food generally. After used a kind of food, occasionally has to change the taste, trying the nations of the world, if appropriate oneself, and try to do yourself, so that we can understand to the food and the culture of different countries, this is also another kind of learning.

 

 

 

Do you think are the differences between the Chinese and western food culture?         (multiple choice)

• Style
• Eating habit
• Table manners
• Diet content (dishes)
• Other

                                                 Figure 4.6

 

 

 

What kind of dining environment do you like?

• Quiet
• Family home
• Romantic
• I don't care

                                                  Figure 4.7

 

 

 

 

Do you always choose eating at the restaurant?

• Always
• Sometimes
• Rarely
• Never

                                                  Figure 4.8

 

Figure 4.6,4.7,4.8 shows a lot of different habits in Chinese food and western food, such as the style, eating habit,table manners,diet content (dishes) and other. Everyone has their own habits, some people think the style of the restaurant is more important, on the contrary, some people think table manners and diet content are more important, the survey found the answer to this question can't have a fixed answer. Only getting more important information is eating habit,table manners,diet content (dishes). Those information are more respondents essential to the Chinese food and western food. When customers chose a restaurant environment is an important method and enjoying. Quiet and romantic environment is suitable for fewer people, on the contrary, family is suitable for more people, because family is more people gathering and talking about weekday’s interesting things. Therefore, quiet and romantic is not suitable for a family gathering.

 

 

 

How do you make an evaluation of Chinese food?

• 1 (Strongly disagree)
• 2 (Disagree)
• 3 (Neutral)
• 4 (Agree)
• 5 (Strongly agree)

                                                 Figure 4.9                

 

 

 

How do you make an evaluation of western food?

• 1 (Strongly disagree)
• 2 (Disagree)
• 3 (Neutral)
• 4 (Agree)
• 5 (Strongly agree)

             Figure 4.10