Exploring Chinese cuisine is one of the most exciting parts of living or traveling in China. From street food (街头小吃, jiētóu xiǎochī) to fine dining, being able to order food in Mandarin makes the experience more enjoyable and immersive.
This post will guide you through essential vocabulary, useful phrases, and practical sentences to confidently order food at restaurants, food stalls, and markets.
Basic Restaurant Vocabulary (餐厅用语, cāntīng yòngyǔ)
Knowing basic restaurant vocabulary is the first step. This will help you understand menus and communicate with waiters.
Example sentences:
- 我们想要一张两人桌。Wǒmen xiǎng yào yì zhāng liǎng rén zhuō. – We would like a table for two.
- 服务员，请给我们菜单。Fúwùyuán, qǐng gěi wǒmen càidān. – Waiter, please give us the menu.
- 这家餐厅的环境很好。Zhè jiā cāntīng de huánjìng hěn hǎo. – The atmosphere of this restaurant is very nice.
Vocabulary to know:
- 餐厅 (cāntīng) – restaurant
- 菜单 (càidān) – menu
- 服务员 (fúwùyuán) – waiter / waitress
- 桌子 (zhuōzi) – table
- 环境 (huánjìng) – environment / atmosphere
Food Categories (食物种类, shíwù zhǒnglèi)
Understanding common food categories will make it easier to choose dishes.
Example sentences:
- 我喜欢吃海鲜。Wǒ xǐhuān chī hǎixiān. – I like eating seafood.
- 你们有素菜吗？Nǐmen yǒu sùcài ma? – Do you have vegetarian dishes?
- 请问这道菜是辣的吗？Qǐngwèn zhè dào cài shì là de ma? – Excuse me, is this dish spicy?
Vocabulary to know:
- 海鲜 (hǎixiān) – seafood
- 素菜 (sùcài) – vegetarian dish
- 辣 (là) – spicy
- 酸 (suān) – sour
- 甜 (tián) – sweet
- 咸 (xián) – salty
Ordering Specific Dishes (点菜, diǎn cài)
When ordering, it’s important to know how to express quantity, preference, and dietary restrictions.
Example sentences:
- 我要一份宫保鸡丁。Wǒ yào yí fèn gōngbǎo jīdīng. – I want an order of Kung Pao Chicken.
- 请不要放葱和蒜。Qǐng bú yào fàng cōng hé suàn. – Please do not add green onions and garlic.
- 我们可以点几道特色菜吗？Wǒmen kěyǐ diǎn jǐ dào tèsè cài ma? – Can we order a few signature dishes?
Vocabulary to know:
- 点菜 (diǎn cài) – to order dishes
- 份 (fèn) – portion / serving
- 特色菜 (tèsè cài) – signature dish
- 不要 (bú yào) – do not want / no
- 葱 (cōng) – green onion / scallion
- 蒜 (suàn) – garlic
Asking About Ingredients and Cooking Methods (询问食材与做法, xúnwèn shícái yǔ zuòfǎ)
Asking about ingredients (食材, shícái) and cooking methods (做法, zuòfǎ) helps you avoid foods you cannot eat and discover new flavors.
Example sentences:
- 这道菜里面有什么？Zhè dào cài lǐmiàn yǒu shénme? – What ingredients are in this dish?
- 可以用蒸的方法做吗？Kěyǐ yòng zhēng de fāngfǎ zuò ma? – Can it be steamed?
- 这个菜是炒的吗？Zhège cài shì chǎo de ma? – Is this dish stir-fried?
Vocabulary to know:
- 食材 (shícái) – ingredients
- 做法 (zuòfǎ) – cooking method
- 蒸 (zhēng) – to steam
- 炒 (chǎo) – to stir-fry
- 烤 (kǎo) – to roast / grill
Ordering Drinks and Desserts (饮料与甜点, yǐnliào yǔ tiándiǎn)
Drinks (饮料, yǐnliào) and desserts (甜点, tiándiǎn) are common parts of a meal. Knowing how to order them will make your dining experience complete.
Example sentences:
- 我想要一杯绿茶。Wǒ xiǎng yào yì bēi lǜchá. – I want a cup of green tea.
- 你们有什么甜点推荐吗？Nǐmen yǒu shénme tiándiǎn tuījiàn ma? – Do you have any recommended desserts?
- 我想要一个冰淇淋。Wǒ xiǎng yào yí gè bīngqílín. – I would like an ice cream.
Vocabulary to know:
- 饮料 (yǐnliào) – drinks / beverages
- 甜点 (tiándiǎn) – desserts
- 绿茶 (lǜchá) – green tea
- 冰淇淋 (bīngqílín) – ice cream
- 推荐 (tuījiàn) – to recommend
Paying and Expressing Gratitude (付款与感谢, fùkuǎn yǔ gǎnxiè)
After the meal, knowing how to pay and say thank you is important.
Example sentences:
- 请结账。Qǐng jiézhàng. – Please bring the bill.
- 我可以刷卡吗？Wǒ kěyǐ shuākǎ ma? – Can I pay by card?
- 谢谢你，菜很好吃。Xièxiè nǐ, cài hěn hǎochī. – Thank you, the food is delicious.
Vocabulary to know:
- 结账 (jiézhàng) – to checkout / pay the bill
- 刷卡 (shuākǎ) – to pay by card
- 现金 (xiànjīn) – cash
- 好吃 (hǎochī) – delicious / tasty
- 谢谢 (xièxiè) – thank you
Other Useful Phrases
Being polite and clear will always make your ordering experience smoother.
Example sentences:
- 麻烦帮我打包。Máfan bāng wǒ dǎbāo. – Please help me pack this to-go.
- 我们要两份，谢谢。Wǒmen yào liǎng fèn, xièxiè. – We would like two portions, thank you.
- 可以加一点辣吗？Kěyǐ jiā yìdiǎn là ma? – Can you make it a little spicier?
Vocabulary
- 餐厅 (cāntīng) – restaurant
- 菜单 (càidān) – menu
- 点菜 (diǎn cài) – to order dishes
- 份 (fèn) – portion / serving
- 特色菜 (tèsè cài) – signature dish
- 食材 (shícái) – ingredients
- 做法 (zuòfǎ) – cooking method
- 饮料 (yǐnliào) – drinks / beverages
- 甜点 (tiándiǎn) – desserts
- 结账 (jiézhàng) – to checkout / pay the bill
With these words, phrases, and sentences, you can confidently explore Chinese cuisine, interact with waiters, and enjoy authentic dishes without worry. Practicing these expressions will make ordering food in Mandarin feel natural and fun.
