Numbers in chinese dishes

Yi Pin Buns	Wu Xiang Beef

One: Yi Pin
Yi is one. Pin is an ancient official title. There is a total of nine Pins, with One Pin being the highest and Nine Pin being the lowest. Yi Pin usually means that the dish is of the highest quality, for examples, Yi Pin Bird's Nest, Yi Pin Buns, and Yi Pin Luo Han Vegetables, etc. It can also mean perfection of the shape of the dish, for example, Yi Pin Nanyu Ru, and Yi Pin Tofu.

Three: San Yuan, San Xian
San is three. San Yuan refers to the three official titles of Zhuang Yuan, Hui Yuan and Jie Yuan, and it usually means three ingredients in one dish, like San Yuan Duck and San Yuan Beef. San Xian means three tasty ingredients, normally refers to ham, chicken and bamboo shoots, for examples, Liu San Xian and San Xian Noodles.

Five: Wu xiang, Wu Cai, Wu Fu
Wu is five. Wu Xiang refers to Five Spice which is comprised of the following ingredients, 1) Star Anise, 2) Fennel Seeds, 3) Cinnamon, 4) Clove, and Sichuan Peppercorns, for example Wu Xiang Beef. Wu Cai means coloful, e.g., Wu Cai Fish Stripes. Fu means blessings giving the dish a lucky omen, e.g., Wu Fu Yu Yuan.

Eight: Ba Bao, Ba Xian, Ba Zhen
Ba is eight. Ba Bao, Ba Xian and Ba Zhen all refer to dishes of eight ingredients. Bao means treasures; there is Ba Bao Tofu, Ba Bao Fish and desserts of Ba Bao Rice Pudding and Ba Bao Stuffed Pears. Ba Xian came from the legendary story of the eight fairies; there is Ba Xian Sea Food. Drunken Ba Xian refers to dishes that use a wine base yeast. Zhen means precious, e.g. Ba Zhen Duck.