Why is parsley a common ingredient in Chinese cuisine?

It isn't. At least not the plant we call parsley anyway: Petroselinum crispum. I've actually never seen it appear in Chinese cooking except occasionally as a garnish in Chinese restaurants. Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) on the other hand is another story. read more

I’ve actually never seen it appear in Chinese cooking except occasionally as a garnish in Chinese restaurants. Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) on the other hand is another story. Also known as cilantro or “Chinese parsley” is a fairly common ingredient in Chinese recipes. read more

A number of ingredients are used in Chinese cuisine. Some of the examples are rice, soybean, wheat, meat, pork, seafood, vegetables like broccoli, celery, carrots, watercress, bittermelon, Chinese cabbage, cabbage, Chinese leaves, bean sprouts, peas etc. Herbs include cilantro, parsley, fennel. read more

In most other cuisines, the most common ingredient is a condiment or a seasoning: soy sauce, fish sauce, garlic, onion. The one exception to the trends is Jewish cuisine, in which eggs are the most common ingredient. This is perhaps due to the unique place of eggs in Jewish dietary restrictions. read more