Cultural Tip
In Chinese restaurants, it's common to share dishes. Don't stick your chopsticks upright in rice - it's considered bad luck. Tea is often served automatically and refilled by staff.
Essential Restaurant Phrases
菜单
Càidān
我想要...
Wǒ xiǎng yào...
这个多少钱？
Zhège duōshǎo qián?
不要辣
Bù yào là
我吃素
Wǒ chī sù
买单
Mǎi dān
好吃
Hǎo chī
我对...过敏
Wǒ duì... guòmǐn
打包
Dǎ bāo
推荐什么？
Tuījiàn shénme?
够了
Gòu le
再来一个
Zài lái yīgè
Sample Conversation
Ordering at a Chinese Restaurant
Waiter
欢迎光临！几位？
Huānyíng guānglín! Jǐ wèi?
Welcome! How many people?
You
两位，谢谢
Liǎng wèi, xiè xiè
Two people, thank you
Waiter
请看菜单，推荐宫保鸡丁
Qǐng kàn càidān, tuījiàn gōngbào jīdīng
Please look at the menu, I recommend Kung Pao Chicken
You
好的，我要宫保鸡丁，不要辣
Hǎo de, wǒ yào gōngbào jīdīng, bù yào là
Okay, I'll have Kung Pao Chicken, not spicy