Although pork is generally the preferred meat of China, Chinese cuisine by no means has a shortage of beef dishes. Beef is generally served in lean strips, unlike pork which sometimes is served with gristle or chicken which usually comes with small bones. If your adventure into the world of Chinese food is just beginning, beef is a good place to start. Click here for a printable copy of this guide.
tie ban niu rou Ìú°åÅ£Èâ tie3 ban3 niu2 rou4 With the sizzle of a fajita plate and the flavorings of garlic, onions, and green peppers, "Skillet Beef" is always a big hit with Westerners in China.
beef with green peppers Çཷ³´Å£Èâ qing1 jiao1 chao3 niu2 rou4 Anybody who has ever eaten in a Chinese restaurant outside of China knows the classic staple Beef with Green Peppers. It's even better when you eat it in the Middle Kingdom. Just don't order it in a fancy restaurant with your Chinese friends. Beef with Green Peppers is the Chinese societal equivalent of a White Castle hamburger.
Chinese potatoes and beef ÍÁ¶¹³´Å£Èâ tu3 dou4 chao3 niu2 rou4 Stir-Fried Beef with Potatoes is another mainstay which can be ordered in virtually any Chinese eating establishment.
shui zhu niu rou Sichuan Ë®ÖóÅ£Èâ shui3 zhu3 niu2 rou4

Sichuan (Szechwan) province has long been known for its ridiculously spicy cuisine. To experience a rather liberal use of Sichuan's famous hot peppers, try out "Boiled Water Beef." Morsels of beef along with a mixture of vegetables which can include (among other things) bok choy, lettuce, and sprouts are cooked and then served in a big vat of hot oily soup. Those who have an exceptional craving for spice (and a relative lack of concern for caloric intake), have been known to drink the soup.

piao xiang niu rou Hunan beef Æ®ÏãÅ£Èâ piao1 xiang1 niu2 rou4 Piaoxiang Beef is a Hunan dish, in which small cutlets of beef are cooked with cumin spices in a dry wok. It's not a spicy as "Boiled Water Beef," but packs a punch of its own.
black pepper beef ºÚ½·Å£Èâ hei1 jiao1 niu4 rou4 For those who like spicy, but are not in the mood for "My mouth is on fire" spicy, try out Black Pepper Beef. It usually comes with a token vegetable such as garlic (pictured here) or green peppers.
beef with oyster sauce òºÓÍÅ£Èâ hao2 you2 niu2 rou4 Beef with Oyster Sauce is another dish which often appears in Chinese cuisine outside of China. Regardless of the name, it does not taste anything like oysters or seafood, and usually comes with green peppers and onions.
slow cooked beef with potatoes ÍÁ¶¹ÉÕÅ£Èâ tu3 dou4 shao1 niu2 rou4 Slow Cooked Beef with Potatoes is another big hit among Westerners in China, although it can be a bit elusive. Look for it in Muslim or Northeastern style restaurants.
cumin beef ×ÎȻţÈâ zi1 ran2 niu2 rou4 Cumin is not a spice commonly used in Chinese cuisine, but if you have a chance, be sure to try Cumin Beef. The cumin spice is usually complimented by hot peppers, onions, and cilantro. This dish also often can be ordered with mutton: ×ÎÈ»ÑòÈâ (zi1 ran2 yang2 rou4)
Chinese curry beef rice ¿§à¬Å£Èâ·¹ ga1 li2 niu2 rou4 fan4 Curry Beef with Rice is usually topped with potatoes, carrot shards, and often a green vegetable. This dish is commonly served as a single person meal, rather than as a dish. It makes for a great meal when you are eating alone, or not in the mood for going family style.