This makes me want to eat a lot of Huoguo. Let me help you with some minor details.

What Chinese food would you recommend to your a foreign friend who is coming to China?

The food I want (or will) to recommend to her is Huoguo, which as it has long enjoyed great popularity in China. I recommend it for the following two reasons. (or just "the following reasons")

First, unlike a specific dish, such as Gong Pao chicken or dumplings, Huoguo can offer more options. You see, basically it is just a big pot containing spicy or delicate sauce in which you can boil any vegetables or meats you want, So thus, Huoguo is a good choice especially when I’m uncertain about what my foreign friend will like most.

Second, having Huoguo can solidify the connections between people because they tend to feel rather relaxed in the an atmosphere with the presence of hot water. I will introduce some other of my friends to my foreign friends ones and we will have a pleasant conversation.