Survival Chinese: How to Order Food in China

Eating in China is one of the highlights of any China trip. From street food stalls to regional restaurants, the variety is extraordinary and the food is almost always better than you expect.

This guide covers how to order food in China step by step, including what to expect in restaurants, useful phrases, and practical tips for different types of cities.

In most cases, ordering food in China is straightforward: choose a table, scan a QR code or use a menu, point to dishes or use simple phrases, and pay via mobile apps like WeChat Pay or Alipay.

How Ordering Works in China

In major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Xi’an, many restaurants have picture menus, QR code ordering, or basic English support. In smaller cities and more remote regions such as Tibet or Western Sichuan, menus are often only in Chinese, and ordering may rely more on simple phrases or assistance from your guide.

Before diving into the phrases, it helps to know what to expect in a Chinese restaurant:

• Dishes are shared and placed in the center of the table. Meals are not served individually.
• Food does not come out course by course. Dishes arrive as they are ready.
• Rice is usually ordered separately, not automatically included.
• Payment is typically made at the counter or by scanning a QR code. Servers rarely bring a card reader to the table.
• Many restaurants now use QR code menus on the table. Scan with your phone to browse photos of every dish.
• If you don’t have mobile data, translation apps like Google Translate in camera mode or Pleco can scan menus instantly. In China, apps like WeChat and Alipay are also commonly used for QR code ordering and payment in restaurants.

Types of Restaurants You Will Encounter in China

• Local restaurants (most common): Chinese-only menus, dishes shared at the table
• Chain restaurants: often have picture menus or tablet ordering systems
• Tourist-friendly restaurants: usually offer English menus, common in major cities
• Street food stalls: the simplest to navigate, ordering is usually done by pointing

Before You Sit Down

In most Chinese restaurants you seat yourself. A host will only guide you to a table in upscale restaurants or when it is very busy. Once seated, a server will approach shortly.

In smaller local restaurants without picture menus, it is perfectly acceptable to point at what other diners are eating and indicate to the server that you want the same.

Useful Chinese Restaurant Phrases

What the Waiter Might Say

English	Pinyin	Chinese
How many people?	Qǐngwèn jǐ wèi?	请问几位?
Are you ready to order?	Kěyǐ diǎn cài le ma?	可以点菜了吗?
What would you like to order?	Nín yào diǎn shénme?	您要点什么？
Would you like drinks first?	Nín yào xiān hē diǎnr shénme ma?	您要先喝点儿什么吗？

What You Might Say

English	Pinyin	Chinese
One moment please	Qǐng shāoděng yíxià	请稍等一下
There are ___ of us	___ wèi	___位
We’d like to order	Wǒmen yào diǎn cài	我们要点菜
Not yet, give us a few minutes	Hái méi, zài děng yīxià	还没，再等一下
What do you recommend?	Nǐ yǒu shénme kěyǐ tuījiàn?	你有什么可以推荐?
What is the house special?	Nǐmen yǒu shénme tèsècài?	你们有什么特色菜？
I’ll have… / I’d like…	Wǒ yào… / Wǒ xiǎng yào…	我要… / 我想要…

Dietary Requirements

These Chinese restaurant phrases are increasingly useful for travelers with dietary restrictions:

English	Pinyin	Chinese
I am vegetarian	Wǒ chī sù	我吃素
No meat please	Bù yào ròu	不要肉
No pork please	Bù yào zhūròu	不要猪肉
I am allergic to nuts	Wǒ duì jiānguǒ guòmǐn	我对坚果过敏
No spicy please	Bù yào là	不要辣
No coriander please	Bù yào xiāngcài	不要香菜

Vegetarian options vary across China. In cities and tourist areas they are easy to find. In rural areas or Tibet, options may be more limited. Let your travel advisor know in advance and we can help plan accordingly.

When Your Food Arrives

English	Pinyin	Chinese
That is mine	Shì wǒde	是我的
This is not what I ordered	Zhè búshì wǒ diǎn de	这不是我点的
Please bring more…	Qǐng zài gěi wǒmen…	请再给我们…

Paying the Bill

Most restaurants in China accept WeChat Pay and Alipay, which can be linked to international cards before your trip. Cash is still accepted in most places, but mobile payment is now the norm even in small local restaurants.

English	Pinyin	Chinese
The bill please	Jiézhàng	结账
How much is it?	Duōshǎo qián?	多少钱？
The bill is not right	Zhàngdān bùduì	帐单不对

Tipping is not expected or customary in Chinese restaurants.

Extra Tips for Eating in China

Ask your guide for restaurant recommendations. They know where locals actually eat, which is rarely where tour groups go.

Chinese meals are designed to be shared. Dishes are ordered for the table, so the more people you are dining with, the more variety you can try. If you are traveling solo, smaller restaurants with set meals or noodle and rice dishes ordered individually are a practical option.

If you are traveling with us, your local guide will help you navigate menus, recommend dishes, and make ordering easy, especially in smaller local restaurants where English menus are rare.

For a more detailed breakdown of general travel phrases including transport, directions, and emergencies, see our full guide on essential Chinese travel phrases.