''Gaifan'' () or ''gaijiaofan'' () is a type of dish in Chinese cuisine typically offered in low-cost establishments. It consists of a fish, meat, or vegetable topping served over rice. The dish can be either freshly cooked or previously cooked, such as
char siu
''Char siu'' () is a Cantonese-style barbecued pork. Originating in Guangdong, it is eaten with rice, used as an ingredient for noodle dishes or in stir fries, and as a filling for '' cha siu bao'' or pineapple buns. Five-spice powder is t ...
. According to the ''Commentary to the
Classic of Rites
The ''Book of Rites'', also known as the ''Liji'', is a collection of texts describing the social forms, administration, and ceremonial rites of the Zhou dynasty as they were understood in the Warring States and the early Han periods. The '' ...
'', gaifan can be dated back to
Western Zhou
The Western Zhou ( zh, c=西周, p=Xīzhōu; 771 BC) was a period of Chinese history corresponding roughly to the first half of the Zhou dynasty. It began when King Wu of Zhou overthrew the Shang dynasty at the Battle of Muye and ended in 77 ...
. Throughout the
Tang dynasty
The Tang dynasty (, ; zh, c=唐朝), or the Tang Empire, was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 618 to 907, with an Wu Zhou, interregnum between 690 and 705. It was preceded by the Sui dynasty and followed ...
, gaifan was served during the banquets of newly promoted officials.
[ Wei Juyuan, ''Menu'', "sliced meat and egg with oil, cover on rice, mixed flavour." 韦巨源 《食单》：“编缕卵脂，盖饭表面，杂味。”]
Gallery
File:Kung Pao Chicken.jpg, Kung Pao chicken
Kung Pao chicken (), also transcribed Gong Bao or Kung Po, is a spicy, stir-fried Chinese dish made with cubes of cooked chicken, peanuts, vegetables and chili peppers, and Sichuan peppercorns. From its origins in Sichuan cuisine, the dish' ...
gaifan
File:Khao mu krop mu daeng.jpg, Thai-Chinese char siu
''Char siu'' () is a Cantonese-style barbecued pork. Originating in Guangdong, it is eaten with rice, used as an ingredient for noodle dishes or in stir fries, and as a filling for '' cha siu bao'' or pineapple buns. Five-spice powder is t ...
gaifan
Image:Chukadon of Hidakaya (1).jpg, Chūkadon
File:Rice with 3 toppings at a food court in Fangcaodi (20210923124853).jpg, A serving of ''gaifan'' with three toppings sold from a food court in Beijing, China
See also
*
Donburi, usually called "Japanese gaifan" in China.
*
Economy rice
References
{{reflist
Chinese rice dishes