How to Order Food in China: 25 Must-Know Phrases for Restaurants and Street Food
Updated June 2026 · 5 min read
Food is arguably the best reason to visit China. From hand-pulled noodles to dim sum, Sichuan hotpot to soup dumplings — Chinese cuisine is endlessly diverse. Most local restaurants have Chinese-only menus and staff who do not speak English. Here are 25 phrases that will unlock China's incredible food scene for you.
At a Restaurant — Getting Seated and Ordering
Chinese
Pinyin
English
Note
几位
Ji wei?
How many people?
The host will ask you this
两个人
Liang ge ren
Two people
Your answer
有位子吗
You wei zi ma?
Do you have seats?
Entering a busy restaurant
我要点菜
Wo yao dian cai
I would like to order
Flagging down a server
这个
Zhe ge
This one
Pointing at a menu item
来一份
Lai yi fen
One serving of this
Ordering a dish
推荐什么
Tui jian shen me?
What do you recommend?
Asking for best dish
招牌菜是什么
Zhao pai cai shi shen me?
Signature dish?
Specialty restaurants
菜单
Cai dan
Menu
Asking for a menu
我要米饭
Wo yao mi fan
I want rice
Basic staple order
好吃
Hao chi!
Delicious!
Complimenting the chef
Street Food and Night Markets
Chinese
Pinyin
English
Note
这是什么
Zhe shi shen me?
What is this?
Pointing at mystery skewer
辣的还是不辣的
La de hai shi bu la de?
Spicy or not spicy?
They will ask you
不辣
Bu la
Not spicy
Your safe answer
加辣
Jia la
Add spice
If you are brave
打包
Da bao
Takeaway / To go
Taking food with you
一串
Yi chuan
One skewer
At BBQ stalls
Dietary Restrictions and Allergies
Chinese
Pinyin
English
Note
我是素食者
Wo shi su shi zhe
I am vegetarian
Note: may include eggs/dairy
我不吃肉
Wo bu chi rou
I do not eat meat
More explicit
我对花生过敏
Wo dui hua sheng guo min
I am allergic to peanuts
Common ingredient
不放味精
Bu fang wei jing
No MSG please
For sensitive travelers
有没有海鲜
You mei you hai xian?
Does this contain seafood?
Shellfish allergies
Paying the Bill
Chinese
Pinyin
English
Note
买单
Mai dan!
Check please!
Most useful phrase in this list
可以刷信用卡吗
Ke yi shua xin yong ka ma?
Can I pay by credit card?
Before ordering
分开付
Fen kai fu
Split the bill
Dutch treat
一起付
Yi qi fu
Pay together
One person covers all
Practice These Phrases Before Your Trip
FlowChinese AI pronunciation coach will help you nail the tones so you order like a local on day one.