The Complete Set Dinner in the Manchu and the Mandarin (or Han) Styles (Man Han Quanxi), originated in Qing Dynasty and is the largest Chinese banquet combining the essential delicacies from the Manchu and Han ethnic groups. The Man Han Quanxi consists of 134 courses of hot dishes, 48 courses of cold dishes, as well as sweets and fruits, all of which are presented in six separate banquets. This smorgasbord utilizes food materials that are rare and superior, including, for instance, the "Eight Mountains Treasures", the "Eight Land Treasures", and the "Eight Sea Treasures". Some of the more exotic and unusual parts of the banquet include bear paws, hedgehog, tiger spleens, elk, ginseng, camel humps, ptarmigans, shark fin, oysters, abalone, caviar and rare mushrooms.
Undoubtedly, the Man Han Quanxi represents the zenith of Chinese culinary skills. The meal may not be for everyone as it typically runs into thousands of dollars for one banquet.
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