Chinese food culture is amazing, but ordering as a foreigner can be intimidating. Here's how I did it.
The Challenge
Most restaurants outside tourist areas:
- No English menus
- Staff doesn't speak English
- Google Translate camera mode is your friend
How to Order
Option 1: Point and Smile
Walk up to a nearby table, point at their food, make a questioning gesture. 9/10 they'll nod and you get the same thing.
Option 2: Translation + Audio
This is what I used most. Type in English on aihubai.cn, press the text-to-speech button, play the audio. The restaurant staff hears perfect Mandarin. Works every time.
Option 3: Photo Menus
Many local restaurants have photo menus. Just point.
Must-Try Dishes by City
Beijing
- Peking Duck (¥100-200)
- Zhajiangmian (¥20-30)
- Jianbing (¥10-15)
Xi'an
- Roujiamo (¥10-15)
- Liangpi (¥8-12)
- Yangrou Paomo (¥30-40)
Chengdu
- Hotpot (¥80-150/person)
- Mapo Tofu (¥20-30)
- Chuanchuan (¥30-50)
Shanghai
- Xiaolongbao (¥20-40)
- Shengjian (¥15-25)
- Hongshaorou (¥30-50)
Food Safety Tips
- Eat where locals eat — Busy restaurants = fresh food
- Avoid raw/undercooked in street stalls
- Bottled water only
- Spice levels vary by region
Payment
China is cashless. You need Alipay or WeChat Pay. See my payment guide for setup.
Chinese food is one of the greatest culinary experiences in the world. Don't let the language barrier stop you.
Top comments (0)