List of sources of Chinese culinary history
This is a list of historical Chinese sources referring to Chinese cuisine. Not long after the expansion of the Chinese Empire during the Qin dynasty and Han dynasty, Chinese writers noted the great differences in culinary practices among people from different parts of the realm. These differences followed to a great extent the varying climate and availability of foodstuffs in China.
Pre-Han dynasty
Documents compiled before 206BC.| Title | Chinese name | Date | Author | Description |
| Zhouli zhushu | t=周禮注疏 | Government officials | An annotated version of the Rites of Zhou | |
| Yili | t=儀禮注疏 | Banquet rites, single food offering rites, secondary food offering rites, and other rites mentioned | ||
| Liji zhengyi | t=禮記正義 | Eight different delicacies and others are mentioned. | ||
| Lüshi Chunqiu | t=呂氏春秋 | during the Qin dynasty | Under the patronage of Lü Buwei | An encyclopedic Chinese classic text compilation |
| Simin yueling jiaozhu | 四民月令 | mid 2AD | Eastern Han dynasty Minister Official Que Shi | A book of mainly agricultural practices where food related topics are partially mentioned |
Pre-Sui states
Documents from before the Sui dynasty.| Title | Chinese name | Date | Author | Description |
| Shijing | t=詩經 | 1000–600BC | Northern Wei dynasty Lu Shi | A collection of poetry from the 11th to 7th centuriesBC |
| Nanfang Caomu Zhuang | t=南方草木狀 | Claims to have been completed in 304AD. Often considered a Song-era forgery. | Western Jin dynasty scholar and botanist Ji Han | Chinese subtropical flora |
| Qinjing | t=禽經 | The naming of birds with their characteristics and other elements | ||
| Shizhen lu | t=食珍錄 | Northern and Southern dynasties era | Yu Cong | Recipe book with a focus on southern cuisine |
| Qimin Yaoshu | t=齊民要術 | 533 and 544BC | Northern Wei dynasty official Jia Sixie | Ancient Chinese agricultural texts |
Sui dynasty
Documents compiled during the Sui dynasty.| Title | Chinese name | Date | Author | Description |
| Shijing | 食经 | Sui dynasty Xie Feng | The book collects 53 cuisines of various types from the Northern and Southern Dynasties and the Sui Dynasty. | |
| Beitang shuchao | t=北堂書鈔 | Yu Shinan, an official and calligrapher | The oldest surviving leishu, which is a kind of Chinese reference book or encyclopedia. Includes a chapter covering beverages and foods. |
Tang dynasty
Documents compiled during the Tang dynasty.| Title | Chinese name | Date | Author | Description |
| Yiwen Leiju | 藝文類聚 艺文类聚 | Ouyang Xun, a calligrapher | А poetic encyclopedia; book 72 covers food. | |
| Beiji qianjin yaofang | 備急千金要方 备急千金要方 | Sun Simiao, known as the King of Medicine | Along with Qian Jin Yi Fang, both significantly contributed to the development of Chinese medicine. Book 26 refers to food treatments. | |
| Shipu | 食譜 食谱 | Wei Juyuan | A menu from a banquet hosted by Wei Juyuan to thank the emperor for his promotion. It lists 58 dishes and includes descriptions of their cooking methods and ingredients. | |
| Shiliao bencao | 食療本草 食疗本草 | 684 or 701704 and 721–739 | Meng Shen and Zhang Ding | The earliest complete dietary work. Based on Meng Shen's book Buyang fang, Zhang Ding expanded it and renamed it as such. |
| Chajing | 茶經 茶经 | written between 760 and 780 | Lu Yu | The very first monograph on tea in the world that records Chinese methods of tea cultivation and preparation |
| Jiancha shuiji | 煎茶水記 煎茶水记 | Zhang Youxin, a tea expert | Discusses the way of tea brewing and suggests a trend towards more study of tea | |
| Shiyi xinjian | 食醫心鑑 食医心鉴 | published in 850 | Unknown | Food therapy |
| Youyang zazu | 酉陽雑俎 酉阳杂俎 | published approximately in 853 | Duan Chengshi | A miscellany of Chinese and foreign legends and hearsay, reports on natural phenomena, short anecdotes, and tales of the wondrous and mundane, as well as notes on such topics as medicinal herbs, tattoos, wine and foods. |
| Lingbiao lu yiji | 嶺表錄異記 岭表录异记 | written between 889 and 904 | Liu Xun | A book documenting the climate, environment, products, and customs of southern China during the Tang Dynasty. More than 60% of its content is related to food, including descriptions of ingredients, unique delicacies, cooking and dining utensils, and culinary customs. |
| Shanfujing shoulu | 膳夫經手錄 膳夫经手录 | 856 | Yang Yezhuan | Introduces many formulae for diet therapy |
Song dynasty
Documents compiled during the Song dynasty. The population of China doubled in size during the 10th and 11th centuries. This growth came through expanded rice cultivation in central and southern China, the use of early-ripening rice from southeast and southern Asia, and the production of abundant food surpluses.| Title | Chinese name | Date | Author | Description |
| Shanfulu | 膳夫錄 膳夫录 | Southern Song | Zheng Wang | A cookbook consists of 14 entries with descriptions of the processing and preparation of delicacies |
| Shipu | 食譜 食谱 | |||
| Qingyilu | 淸異錄 清异录 | 950 | Tao Gu | A collection of more than 600 historical records and anecdotes spanned from Sui, Tang, the Five Dynasties and the early Song dynasty, under 37 categories including fine cuisines, vegetables, and fruits. |
| Taiping Yulan | 太平御覽 太平御览 | 977 to 983 | Li Fang | An encyclopedia |
| Sunpu | 筍譜 笋谱 | Zang Ning, a monk | Recorded 98 kinds of bamboo shoot about heir names and aliases, characteristics, cultivation, tastes, processing and preservation methods | |
| Benxinzhai shushipu | 本心齋蔬食譜 本心斋蔬食谱 | 13th century | Chen Dasou | Lists 20 vegetarian foods with recipes. |
| Shanjia qinggong | 山家淸供 山家清供 | 13th century | Lin Hong | This cookbook introduces food and beverages of hermits in the mountains and usages of sugar in cookery. It also mentions a cultural proverb related to pasta. |
| Rucao jishi | 茹草记事 | Published in 1646 | Lin Hong, Tao Zongyi, Tao Ting | |
| Shidafu shishi wuguan * | 士大夫食時五觀 士大夫食时五观 | between 1045 and 1105 | Huang Tingjian, a calligrapher | Deals with five points of etiquette for shidafu when eating meat |
| Shouqin yanglao xinshu | 壽親養老新書 寿亲养老新书 | 1307 | Zou Xuan | A book mainly discusses the knowledge and methods of health care for the elderly, including dietary management, food preparation and other health care contents. |
| Beishan jiujing | 北山酒經 北山酒经 | between 1535 and 1615 | Zhu Gong | The first book extant entirely focused on wine and wine making |
| Yushipi | 玉食批 | Song Dynasty | Unnamed royal kitchen servant | A list of fine dishes served as daily meals to the princes of Emperor Lizong. |
| Chalu | 茶錄 茶录 | Cai Xiang | A renowned tea book | |
| Lizhi pu | 荔枝譜 荔枝谱 | 1059 | Cai Xiang | The first monograph on any fruit tree written by a Chinese writer, in which over 30 varieties of fruit are mentioned including the lychee |
| Dongxi shichalu | 東溪試茶錄 东溪试茶录 | circa 1064 | Song Zi'an | A record of tasting teas from various origins in the region of today's Fujian, and analyzing their making process |
| Pincha yaolu | 品茶要錄 品茶要录 | 1075 | Huang Ru | A collection of 10 articles on practices that should be avoided in tea making, and the influence of geographical conditions on tea quality |
| Jiupu | 食经 | |||
| Julu | 橘錄 橘录 | 1178 | Han Yanzhi | A record of 27 citrus species around Wenzhou and their characteristics and cultivation methods |
| Tangshuang pu | 糖霜譜 糖霜谱 | 1154 | Wang Zhuo | The first ancient Chinese monograph on sugarcane cultivation and cane sugar production methods |
| Xuanhe Era Tea Tribute from Beiyuan | 宣和北苑貢茶錄 宣和北苑贡茶录 | 1121-1125 | Xiong Fan | A record of 41 tea products from Fujian offered as tribute to Emperor Huizong of Song |
| Beiyuan Tea Tribute Addendum | 北苑別錄 北苑别录 | 1186 | Zhao Ruli | A supplement descriptive record to Xuanhe Era Tea Tribute from Beiyuan |
| Xiepu | 蟹譜 蟹谱 | 1059 | Fu Gong | The earliest records of knowledges on crabs in China |
| Xielüe | 蟹略 | Southern Song | Gao Sisun | A collection of knowledges and cultures about crabs in China as of Song Dynasty |
| Junpu | 菌譜 菌谱 | Southern Song | Chen Renyu | A documentation of 11 species of edible mushrooms, the earliest of its kind in China |
| Dongjing Meng Hua Lu | 東京夢華錄箋注 东京梦华录 | 1127 | Meng Yuanlao 1126–1147 | Journal of daily life in Kaifeng of 1102~1125 |
| Ducheng jisheng | 都城紀勝 都城纪胜 | 1235 | Nai De Weng | Descriptively recorded the life of the citizens and the prosperity of commerce in Lin'an, the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty |
| Wulin jiu shi | 武林舊事 武林旧事 | Zhou Mi | Recollections of past urban life in Lin'an, the capital of the Southern Song dynasty | |
| Nan Song shisi ji | 南宋市肆记 | Zhou Mi | Originally a volume of Wulin jiu shi, recorded all kinds of markets and shops in Lin'an. | |
| Mengliang lu | 夢粱錄 梦粱录 | Wu Zimu | From the imperial court ceremonies to commoner's diet and daily life, another recollections of Lin'an. | |
| Wushi Zhongkuilu | 吳氏中饋錄 吴氏中馈录 | Madame Wu | The earliest Chinese cookbook written by a woman and one of the first to mention the use of soy sauce | |
| Fanshenglu or Xihulaoren fanshenglu | 繁胜录 or 西湖老人繁勝錄 | A record of the urban life in Lin'an, similar to the Ducheng jisheng |
Jin dynasty
Documents compiled during the Jin dynasty.| Title | Chinese name | Date | Author | Description |
| Shiwu bencao | 食物本草 | Li Gao, a major medical scholar of the time | A compilation of the rich documents on food as medicine in China as of the Ming dynasty. |
Yuan dynasty
During the Yuan dynasty, contacts with the West also brought the introduction to China of a major food crop, sorghum, along with other foreign food products and methods of preparation.| Title | Chinese name | Date | Author | Description |
| Nongshu | 農書 农书 | 1149 | Chen Fu | Deals with paddy rice farming and sericulture in southern China |
| Riyong bencao | 日用本草 | 1367 | Wu Rui, an official medical authority | One of famous works on dietetics written in the Yuan dynasty. It lists of 540 common foods with medicinal properties. |
| Yinshan zhengyao | 飮膳正要 饮膳正要 | Hu Sihui, an imperial dietary physician | The book, that defines essential diets for a healthy person, is regarded as the first systematic document on nutritional principles in China. | |
| Nongsang yishi cuoyao | 農桑衣食撮要 农桑衣食撮要 | 1314 | Lu Mingshan | Sugarcane and sugar manufacturing |
| Yinshi xuzhi | 飮食須知 饮食须知 | Jia Ming | One of the famous works on a balanced and healthy diet which was written in the Yuan dynasty | |
| Yunlin tang yinshi zhidu ji | 雲林堂飲食制度集 云林堂饮食制度集 | Ni Zan, a famous painter | The book recorded the author's homemade recipes, condiments, tea and wine, which reflects the style of Wuxi cuisine. | |
| Jujia biyong shilei quanji | 居家必用事類全集 居家必用事类全集 | 1301 | An encyclopedia that became a precursor to encyclopedias of the late Ming, and has a chapter devoted to "foods of the Muslims" | |
| Zhuanshi | 饌史 馔史 | A compilation of anecdotes about diet extracted from Tang and Song books mentioned above on this page. |
Ming dynasty
China during the Ming dynasty became involved in a new global trade of goods, plants, animals, and food crops known as the Columbian Exchange. Although the bulk of imports to China were silver, the Chinese also purchased New World crops from the Spanish Empire. This included sweet potatoes, maize, and peanuts, foods that could be cultivated in lands where traditional Chinese staple crops—wheat, millet, and rice—couldn't grow, hence facilitating population growth. In the Song dynasty, rice had become the major staple crop of the poor; after sweet potatoes were introduced to China around 1560, they gradually became the traditional food of the lower classes.| Title | Chinese name | Date | Author | Description |
| Yiya yiyi ' | 易牙遗意 | Han Yi | More than 150 recipes of condiments, beverages, pastry, dishes, preserved fruits, etc. | |
| Tian chu ju zhenmiao zhuan ji | 天厨聚珍妙馔集 | A collection of fine dining recipes | ||
| Shenyin or Quxian shenyin shu | 神隐 or 臞仙神隐书 | Zhu Quan | A record of the rustic, hermit-like life of a practitioner of Taoism, including details of farming, the food process and the diet. | |
| Jiuhuang Bencao | 救荒本草 | Zhu Su | The book newly mentions most edible plants. | |
| Shijian bencao | 食鉴本草 | 1522～1566 | Ning Yuan | A work on dietary therapy, in which 251 items of food and ingredients were recorded, each with its medical attribute. |
| Bianmin tu zuan | 便民图纂 | Kuang Fan | An encyclopedia of farmers' daily use. Volume 15 covers food and other topics. | |
| Yecai pu | 野菜谱 | 1524 | Wang Pan | A collection of 60 edible wild herbs, each with an illustration. |
| Songshi yangsheng bu | 宋氏养生部 | 1504 | Song Xu | It recorded 1010 food items, 1340 recipes and 160 methods of processing and preserving foods. |
| Yunlin yishi | 云林遗事 | Gu Yuanqing | A collection of stories about Ni Zan, includes a chapter about his diet. | |
| Shiwu bencao | 食物本草 | Wang Ying | Greatly contributed to the development of medical foods. | |
| Shipin ji | 食品集 | 1537 | Wu Lu | It documents 350 types of food, divided into seven sections: cereals, fruits, vegetables, animals, poultry, insects and fish, and water. For each food, it describes its nature and taste, toxicity, advantages and disadvantages of consumption, functions and indications. It also includes cooking methods for the foods. |
| Guang junpu | 广菌谱 | Pan Zhiheng | A documentation of 19 species of edible mushrooms and 4 species of edible non-macrofungi | |
| Bencao gangmu | 本草纲目 | 1578–1608 | Li Shizhen | А total of 1892 medical substances are addressed in the book, and food items make up a significant portion of them. |
| Mo'e xiaolu | 墨娥小录 | Regards various delicacies in food, drink, etc. | ||
| Duo neng bi shi | 多能鄙事 | Liu Ji | The book is divided into eleven sections containing essential knowledge for everyday life. Volumes 1 to 4 deal with food and cuisine. | |
| Rucao bian | 茹草编 | Zhou Lüjing | A collection of 105 edible wild herbs, each with an illustration | |
| Jujia bibei | 居家必备 | A household encyclopedia, Volume 7 covers brewing, tea making and cooking. | ||
| Zunsheng bajian ' | 遵生八笺 | Gao Lian | The "eating and drinking" part recorded more than 3,200 recipes for beverages, foods, dishes, and medicaments. | |
| Yesupin | 野蔌品 | Gao Lian | It includes descriptions of 96 wild-grown edible plants with details on their appearance, character and the way of cooking them. | |
| Haiwei suoyin | 海味索引 | Tu Benjun | A record of 16 aquatic products, to correct errors in earlier such books. | |
| Minzhong haicuoshu | 闽中海错疏 | Tu Benjun | Records of marine animals along the coast of Fujian. | |
| Yecai jian | 野菜笺 | Tu Benjun | Records 22 common edible wild plants in the author's hometown. | |
| Shantang sikao | 山堂肆考 | 1595 | Peng Dayi | A 5-part encyclopedia with 240 volumes, including volumes on food and beverages, cereals, vegetables, and fruits. |
| Yecai bolu | 野菜博录 | 1622 | Bao Shan | Records of 435 edible wild plants. |
| Shangyi bencao | 上医本草 | 1620 | Zhao Nanxing | Records of more than 200 food items that are also used medicinally |
| Shangzheng | 觞政 | Yuan Hongdao | Drinking games and customs | |
| Nongzheng quanshu | 农政全书 | Xu Guangqi | Details of agricultural practices with the effects of the climate and landscape | |
| Yangyu yueling | 养余月令 | 1633 | Dai Xi | A farmer's encyclopaedia organised by month of the year |
| Jiushi | 酒史 | Feng Shihua | Chinese wine knowledge, customs and culture |
Qing dynasty
Documents compiled during the Qing dynasty.| Title | Chinese name | Date | Author | Description |
| Xianqing ouji | 闲情偶寄 | Li Yu | Contains a section on food and drink | |
| Min xiao ji | 闽小记 | 1647 | Zhou Lianggong | Narrative of Fukienese folklore, produce and trivia |
| Yinshi xuzhi | 饮食须知 | Zhu Benzhong | Dietary do's and don'ts from a medical scientist | |
| Tiaodingji | 调鼎集 | A cookery book compiled in the mid-Qing dynasty collected the practical experience of cooks. | ||
| Shiwu bencao huizuan | 食物本草会纂 | 1691 | Shen Lilong | Records of 220 foods that are also used medicinally, listing the nature, taste and function of each. |
| Jiangnan yuxianpin | 江南鱼鲜品 | Chen Jian | The book recorded 21 species of food fish. | |
| Gui'eryue | 簋贰约 | You Tong | ||
| Riyong suzi | 日用俗字 | Pu Songling | A literacy textbook based on objects and contents of everyday life, which has a chapter on foods and one on vegetables | |
| Shixian hongmi | 食宪鸿秘 | Zhu Yizun | Over 400 recipes for condiments, drinks, dishes and pastries. | |
| Fan you shi'er heshuo | 饭有十二合说 | Zhang Ying | Gains of knowledge and thoughts about meals | |
| Yuanjian leihan | 渊鉴类函 | A large encyclopedia compiled in imperial order, with sections on foods, grains, medicinal herbs, vegetables and fruits. | ||
| Juchang yinzhuan lu | 居常饮馔录 | Cao Yin | A compilation of dietary works from Song and Ming dynastyies | |
| Complete Classics Collection of Ancient China | 古今图书集成 | 1700–1725 | Chen Menglei and Jiang Tingxi | The food section is included in the Economy part |
| Xu chajing | 续茶经 | Lu Tingcan | A combing and recording of tea production and consumption from the Tang Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty. | |
| Gezhi jingyuan | 格致镜原 | Chen Yuanlong | An encyclopedia of which the volume 6 covers food and drink. | |
| Nongpu bianlan | 农圃便览 | 1755 | Ding Yizeng | The book provides information on techniques for growing staple foods, legumes, fruits and flowers, as well as forecasting or treating and processing agricultural products, including brewing, cooking and medical treatment. |
| Xingyuan lu | 醒园录 | Li Huanan | A culinary book with recipes for dishes, pastries, snacks, brewing methods as well as food preservation methods. | |
| Yangsheng suibi | 养生随笔 | 1773 | Cao Tingdong | Health care knowledges for the elderly, the 5th volume is dedicated to congees listing 100 recipes |
| Suiyuan shidan | 随园食单 | 1792 | Yuan Mei | A work on cooking and gastronomy |
| Wu xun pu | 吴蕈谱 | 1683 | Wu Lin | A documentation of 26 edible mushrooms commonly found around Suzhou, and also listed inedible, poisonous mushrooms of the area |
| Jihai cuo | 记海错 | 1814 | Hao Yixing | A book recording common marine animals and plants along the coast of northern China |
| Zhengsuwen | 证俗文 | Hao Yixing | A dictionary to rectify Chinese characters often misused in everyday life. The first volume covers names and terms relating to food and drink | |
| Xilüe | 醯略 | Zhao Xin | A collection of texts on vinegar from over 100 ancient Chinese works. | |
| Yangxiaolu | 养小录 | 1698 | Gu Zhong | In 22 categories, the book describes the preparation of 276 drinks, condiments, dishes and pastries. |
| Yangzhou huafang lu | 扬州画舫录 | 1795 | Li Dou | The book describes life in the merchants' quarters of Yangzhou, including its food and teahouses. |
| Tiaoji yinshi bian | 调疾饮食辨 | 1823 | Zhang Mu | The book contains the medicinal properties of more than six hundred kinds of foods |
| Qing jia lu | 清嘉录 | Gu Lu | The book describes the folk customs, human history and natural scenery of the Suzhou area. | |
| Tongqiao yizhao lu | 桐桥倚棹录 | Gu Lu | A local journal describing the landscape, scenic spots, temples, monuments, and handicrafts in the area of Huqiu and Shantang in Suzhou. | |
| Suixiju yinshipu | 随息居饮食谱 | 1861 | Wang Shixiong | The book includes more than330 food items and provides a detailed discussion of the tastes, characteristics and effects on the body of various drinks and foods, as well as their medical uses from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine. |
| Lü Yuan Cong Hua Yinengpian | 履园丛话·艺能篇 | Qian Yong | There's one chapter titled "Cooking". | |
| Zhongkui lu | 中馈录 | Peng Songyu | ||
| Huya | 湖雅 | Wang Yuezhen | A dictionary-like glossary of the rich agricultural and fishery products of Huzhou | |
| Zhongkui lu | 中馈录 | Zeng Yi | Recorded process for the production of air-dried hams, sausages and other food products, and condiments | |
| Zhoupu | 粥谱 广粥谱 | Huang Yunhu | A book specialising in the preparation of congee | |
| Xinbian jiazhengxue | 新编家政学 | Part 4, chapter 3 is on diet. | ||
| Chengdu tonglan | 成都通览 | Fu Chongju | A book reflecting the whole picture of Chengdu society in the late Qing Dynasty. Volume 7 is on food and drink. |
Post-Qing period
Documents compiled after the Qing dynasty.| Title | Chinese name | Date | Author | Description |
| Zaoyangfan shu Western Cookbook | 造洋饭书 | 1909 | The earliest western cookbook in China. It is divided into 25 chapters, which introduce the ingredients and cooking methods of western food. | |
| Shipin jiawei beilan Overview of Food Delicacy | 食品佳味备览 | He Yun Shi | Listed over 200 famous specialty foods in different parts of China, occasionally involves famous restaurants and the method of preparing dishes. | |
| Qingbai leichao Anthology of Petty Matters in Qing | 清稗类钞 | 1917 | Xu Ke | An anthology of historiographical essays from the entire Qing period includes all aspects of history, society, state, the arts and human life. |
| Pengren yiban Introduction to cooking | 烹饪一斑 | 1935 | Lu Shoujian | An introductory cookery book for beginners |
| Jiating shipu Family recipes | 家庭食谱 | 1916 | Li Gong'er | Recipes for family meals and dishes. |
| Xican pengren mijue Tips for cooking Western food | 西餐烹饪秘诀 | 1921 | Li Gong'er | |
| Jiating shipu xubian Family Recipes Sequel | 家庭食谱续编 | 1924 | Shi Xisheng | Recipes for family meals and dishes. |
| Jiating shipu sanbian Family Recipes Third | 家庭食谱三编 | Shi Xisheng | A follow-up of the Family Recipes Sequel | |
| Jiating shipu sibian Family Recipes Four | 家庭食谱四编 | Shi Xisheng | A follow-up of the Family Recipes Third | |
| Sushi pu Vegetarian Manual | 素食谱 | 1925 | Shi Xisheng | More than 250 recipes for vegetarian dishes |
| Jiashi shixi baojian | 家事实习宝鉴 | 1918 | Wang Yanlun | A guide to the different categories of household chores, including family meals cooking. |
| Zhijia quanshu | 治家全书 | 1919 | Gao Jianhua | An encyclopedia of women with a section on culinary expertise. |
| Jiating wanbao quanshu | 家庭万宝全书 | Includes a section of culinary expertise. | ||
| Sushi shenglun | 素食养生论 | Yamazaki Kesaya | Translated from the original Japanese book. Argues that vegetarianism is good for health. | |
| Shanghai kuailan Shanghai Quick Browse | 上海快览 | 1924 | Tao Fengzi | A guide for visitors or new residents of Shanghai, including a chapter introducing the restaurants and diners. |
| Shiwu xin bencao | 食物新本草 | Translated from the original Japanese book. Introduces modern Western concepts and knowledge of nutrition and food hygiene | ||
| Qinan kuailan Jinan Quick Browse | 济南快览 | 1927 | Zhou Chuanming | A guide for visitors or new residents of Jinan, including a chapter introducing the restaurants and diners. |
| Beiping caipu | 北平菜谱 | 1931 | A collection of recipes of the dishes that were served at the Dalian Liaodong Hotel | |
| Minzhong changshi congshu | 民众常识丛书 | Yue Junshi | Household tips aimed at female readers, including a section on culinary expertise | |
| Jinan daguan Getting to Know Jinan | 济南大观 | 1934 | Luo Tengxiao | A guide for visitors to Jinan, including a chapter introducing the restaurants and diners. |
| Yinshi yu jiankang Diet and health | 饮食与健康 | 1936 | Zhang Enting | Introduces the relationship between diet and health from the perspective of modern food chemistry and Western nutrition. |
| Beiping fengsu leizheng | 北平风俗类征 | 1937 | Li Jiarui | Detailed and systematic collection of Beijing folk customs, including eating habits. |
| Feishi shiyang sanzhong | 费氏食养三种 | 1938 | Fei Zibin Fei Boxiong | Three books on dietary therapy. |
| Shiyong yinshixue Practical Dietetics | 实用饮食学 | 1939 | Gong Lanzhen Zhou Xuan | A textbook on healthy eating and nutrition. |
| Xin shipu Latest Recipe | 新食谱 | 1941 | Ren Bangzhe Lin Guogao | Nutritional components in the foods of the daily diet. |
| Sushi shuolü | 素食说略 | Xue Baochen | The recipes of more than 170 kinds of vegetarian dishes popular in the late Qing Dynasty. | |
| Chifan wenti Questions to Eating | 吃饭问题 | 1944 | Shan Yingmin | Popular knowledge books on diet and nutrition. |