When dining at a Chinese restaurant, confidently using Mandarin to order dishes can significantly enhance your experience. Whether you’re a tourist exploring China or a language enthusiast, learning these expressions will make your culinary adventure more enjoyable. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment and let me know.
1. Asking for the menu:
Nín hǎo, diǎn cài!
您好，点菜！
Hello, I would like to order!
Qǐngwèn kěyǐ zài nǎ’er diǎn cài?
请问可以在哪儿点菜？
May I ask where I can order?
Qǐngwèn yǒu càidān ma?
请问有菜单吗？
Do you have a menu?
Yǒu Yīngwén càidān ma?
有英文菜单吗？
Do you have an English menu?
2. Inquiring about recommended dishes:
Yǒu shénme tèsè cài ma?
有什么特色菜吗？
What are your house specialties?
Nǐmen de zhāopái cài shì shénme?
你们的招牌菜是什么？
What is the specialty of the house?
Yǒu shénme tuījiàn ma?
有什么推荐吗？
Do you have any recommendations?
Shénme cài diǎn de rén zuì duō?
什么菜点的人最多？
Which dishes are the most popular?
3. Asking about the taste of the food:
Zhè gè cài shì shénme wèidào?
这个菜是什么味道？
What is the taste of this dish?
Zhè gè cài là ma?
这个菜辣吗？
Is this dish spicy?
Zhè gè cài tián ma?
这个菜甜吗？
Is this dish sweet?
Zhè gè cài suān ma?
这个菜酸吗？
Is this dish sour?
4. Making a specific request:
Wǒ yào shǎo yán.
我要少盐。
I want less salt.
Qǐng búyào fàng làjiāo.
请不要放辣椒。
Please don’t add chili.
Làjiāo shǎo yīdiǎn.
辣椒少一点。
A little less chili, please.
Shǎo yóu shǎo yán, xièxiè.
少油少盐，谢谢。
Less oil and salt, thank you.
5. Expressing preferences:
Wǒ xǐhuān chī qīngdàn yīxiē de.
我喜欢吃清淡一些的。
I prefer something lighter in flavor.
Wǒ bùnéng chī là.
我不能吃辣。
I can’t eat spicy food.
Wǒ bù chī ròu.
我不吃肉。
I don’t eat meat.
Wǒ zhǐ chī sù.
我只吃素。
I follow a vegetarian diet.
6. Seeking clarification on ingredients:
Zhè dào cài lǐ yǒu méiyǒu huāshēng?
这道菜里有没有花生？
Does this dish contain peanuts?
Zhè dào cài lǐ yǒu xiāngcài ma?
这道菜里有香菜吗？
Is there cilantro in this dish?
Zhè fèn shālā lǐ yǒu nǎizhìpǐn ma?
这份沙拉里有奶制品吗？
Does this salad have any dairy ingredients?
Qǐngwèn zhè dào cài lǐ yǒu méiyǒu hǎixiān?
请问这道菜里有没有海鲜？
Is there any seafood in this dish?
7. Requesting customization:
Néng bùnéng jiā diǎn xiāngcài?
能不能加点香菜？
Can you add some cilantro?
Kěyǐ bāng wǒ duō jiā yīxiē cài ma?
可以帮我多加一些菜吗？
Can you add more vegetables for me?
Qǐng bāng wǒ jiā yīxiē tāng.
请帮我加一些汤。
Please add some soup for me.
Máfan cài zhǔ jiǔ yīxiē, wǒ xǐhuān chī shú de.
麻烦菜煮久一些，我喜欢吃熟的。
Please cook the dish a bit longer. I prefer it well-done.
8. Informing about dietary restrictions:
Wǒ shì sùshí zhě, qǐng búyào jiā rènhé ròu lèi.
我是素食者，请不要加任何肉类。
I’m a vegetarian, please don’t add any meat.
Zhè dào cài lǐ yǒu méiyǒu huāshēng? Wǒ duì huāshēng guòmǐn.
这道菜里有没有花生？我对花生过敏。
Does this dish contain peanuts? I’m allergic to peanuts.
Wǒ bùnéng chī hǎixiān, zhè dào cài yǒu méiyǒu hǎixiān?
我不能吃海鲜，这道菜有没有海鲜？
I can’t eat seafood, does this dish contain any seafood?
Wǒ bù chī jīdàn, zhè dào cài lǐ zuì hǎo bù jiā jīdàn.
我不吃鸡蛋，这道菜里最好不加鸡蛋。
I don’t eat eggs, it would be better if this dish doesn’t contain eggs.
9. Seeking assistance with portion size:
Zhèxiē cài gòu liǎng gè rén chī ma?
这些菜够两个人吃吗？
Are these dishes enough for two people?
Qǐngwèn yǒu xiǎofèn ma?
请问有小份吗？
Do you have a smaller portion?
Zhège cài kěyǐ diǎn bàn fèn ma?
这个菜可以点半份吗？
Can I order half a portion of this dish?
Wǒ yīgèrén chī, diǎn jǐ gè cài bǐjiào hǎo?
我一个人吃，点几个菜比较好？
How many dishes should I order for one person?
10. Expressing satisfaction:
Hěn hǎo chī!
很好吃！
It’s delicious!
Wèidào hěn hǎo, xièxiè!
味道很好，谢谢！
The taste is very good, thank you!
Cài shàng de hěn kuài.
菜上得很快。
The food came quickly.
Fúwù fēicháng hǎo!
服务非常好！
The service is excellent!
Mastering these phrases will empower you to navigate a Chinese menu with ease and savor the rich flavors of authentic Chinese cuisine. Practice these expressions and enjoy a seamless dining experience. If you’re eager to learn more practical conversational dialogues, click here to claim a free 1-on-1 online Chinese class now! Don’t miss the chance to elevate your Chinese language skills and embark on a flavorful journey.
