Everything you need to order food, handle dietary needs, and enjoy eating out in China — one printable page.
Chinese restaurants are welcoming to tourists, but menus are often entirely in Chinese with no pictures. Staff may speak little English. This card gives you everything you need to order with confidence. Show the Chinese characters directly to your waiter — they will understand immediately.
| What You Want to Say | Chinese | Say It Like This |
|---|---|---|
| A table for [2] people, please | 两位，请 (liǎng wèi, qǐng) | Lyung way, ching |
| The menu, please | 菜单，谢谢 (càidān, xièxie) | Tsai-dan, shyeh-shyeh |
| I would like this, please | 我要这个 (wǒ yào zhège) | Wor yow juh-guh |
| One more of this, please | 再来一个 (zài lái yī gè) | Dzai lai ee guh |
| What do you recommend? | 有什么推荐？(yǒu shénme tuījiàn?) | Yo shumm-uh tway-jyen? |
| Is this spicy? | 这个辣吗？(zhège là ma?) | Juh-guh la mah? |
| Not too spicy, please | 不要太辣 (bú yào tài là) | Boo yow tie la |
| A little spicy is fine | 微辣可以 (wēi là kěyǐ) | Way la kuh-ee |
| Delicious! | 很好吃！(hěn hào chī!) | Hun how chir! |
| The bill, please | 买单，谢谢 (mǎidān, xièxie) | My-dan, shyeh-shyeh |
| Can I pay by phone/Alipay? | 可以手机支付吗？(kěyǐ shǒujī zhīfù ma?) | Kuh-ee show-jee jir-foo mah? |
| Do you have an English menu? | 有英文菜单吗？(yǒu yīngwén càidān ma?) | Yo ying-wun tsai-dan mah? |
Show this section directly to your waiter. Point to whichever applies to you.
我是素食者
Wǒ shì sùshí zhě
(Wor shir soo-shir juh)
No meat, no fish, no chicken broth please:
不要肉、鱼和鸡汤
不要辣，谢谢
Bú yào là, xièxie
(Boo yow la, shyeh-shyeh)
If you can handle a tiny bit: 微辣可以 (very mild is OK)
不要海鲜
Bú yào hǎixiān
(Boo yow hi-shyen)
No prawns, crab, clams or any shellfish
不要猪肉
Bú yào zhūròu
(Boo yow joo-row)
Pork is in many Chinese dishes including soups and sauces — worth specifying clearly
我对坚果过敏
Wǒ duì jiānguǒ guòmǐn
(Wor dway jyen-gwor gwor-min)
Peanuts are common in Chinese cooking — always specify this clearly
不要味精
Bú yào wèijīng
(Boo yow way-jing)
MSG (monosodium glutamate) is widely used. Ask when ordering if you are sensitive.
| Item | Chinese | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Water (tap/free) | 白开水 (báikāishuǐ) | Bye-kai-shway |
| Bottled water | 矿泉水 (kuàngquánshuǐ) | Kwong-chwen-shway |
| Hot tea | 热茶 (rè chá) | Ruh chah |
| Beer | 啤酒 (píjiǔ) | Pee-jyo |
| No ice, please | 不要冰块 (bú yào bīngkuài) | Boo yow bing-kwai |
| Rice | 米饭 (mǐfàn) | Me-fan |
| Noodles | 面条 (miàntiáo) | Myen-tyow |
| Chopsticks | 筷子 (kuàizi) | Kwai-dzuh |
| Fork / spoon | 叉子 / 勺子 (chāzi / sháozi) | Chah-dzuh / Shao-dzuh |
Tipping is not expected. Tipping is not customary in Chinese restaurants and can sometimes cause confusion. Simply say thank you (谢谢, xièxie) instead.
Pay at the table or the counter. Most restaurants have you pay after the meal. Shout "买单！" (mǎidān — the bill!) or wave to catch a waiter's attention.
Sharing dishes is the norm. Chinese meals are typically served family-style — dishes are placed in the centre and everyone shares. Don't be surprised if you're not given an individual plate initially.
Hot water/tea is often free. You can ask for hot water (热水, rè shuǐ) at almost any restaurant and it will be provided at no charge.
Scan-to-order is common. Many restaurants now use a QR code on the table to order via WeChat or Alipay. If you're unsure, just wave for a waiter and point at the menu.
Loud is fine. Chinese restaurants are lively — calling out to waitstaff, slurping noodles, and animated conversation are all perfectly normal.
Press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Cmd+P (Mac), then select "Save as PDF" or print directly. The navigation and buttons are automatically hidden for a clean, ink-friendly printout. Print portrait on A4 for best results.