restaurants, noodle shops, dietary needs
Chinese phrases for ordering food in China
Choose a dish, change the spice level and pay without turning every meal into a translation exercise.
Practise this in my free class →First private 30-minute class free · No payment today
With your Mandarin teacher · 1-to-1 on Zoom · replies within 24 hours
Say less.
Get further.
Five useful sentences chosen for this exact travel moment.我要这个
I’ll have thisPoint to a menu photo or another table.
不要辣
No spiceFor no chili at all—say it clearly before the order is confirmed.
少辣
Just a little spiceWhen you are happy with a small amount of chili, not none.
这个有肉吗？
Does this have meat?Useful for checking a dish rather than guessing from its name.
请给我一双筷子
Please give me a pair of chopsticksA practical request at counters and takeaway shops.
买单，谢谢
The bill, pleaseUse when you are ready to pay.
Hear the moment
before you meet it.
Leave your first class able to order one complete meal—from getting attention to asking for the bill.
您好，吃点儿什么？
nín hǎo, chī diǎnr shén meHello, what would you like?我要这个，不要辣。
wǒ yào zhè ge, bú yào làI’ll have this, no spice.好的，还要别的吗？
hǎo de, hái yào bié de maOkay, anything else?不要辣 and 少辣 are not the same
不要辣 means no chili at all, while 少辣 means just a little spice—many kitchens will still add a small amount. If even a trace of chili is a problem, say 一点儿辣也不要—no spice whatsoever—and confirm before the order is sent. If you do want a mild kick, ask for 少辣.After class 1, you can
- Point and order naturally✓
- Change the spice level✓
- Ask about ingredients✓
- Request the bill✓
Before you practise
Can the class cover allergies or dietary restrictions?
Yes. Tell us your most important restriction and your teacher will practise a clear sentence for it with you.
Do I need to understand a full Chinese menu?
No. We teach simple ways to point, ask and confirm without translating every item.
Will I learn restaurant etiquette too?
You will learn the language and small interaction cues needed to order politely and confidently.
What if the restaurant has no English menu?
Point to a photo, another table or a menu item and say 我要这个. We practise this and a follow-up question so you can confirm what you ordered.
How do I ask for water, napkins or extra chopsticks?
Simple requests like 请给我一双筷子 (chopsticks, please) cover most needs. Tell your teacher which requests matter most for you and you will practise those first.
Do I need to prepare any Chinese before class 1?
No. The lesson starts from zero and is built around the exact sentences you will use in your first meal.
Know someone visiting China?
Share this page — a friend heading to China will thank you for it.