Mandarin Monday: A Quick Reference Guide for Ordering in Mandarin

      Many of us local Chinese speakers and seasoned expatriates who've taken numerous Mandarin classes often overlook that a considerable part of the expat community is unfamiliar with many Chinese characters. Thus, arriving at a restaurant without an English menu can pose a genuine difficulty.

      While this brief guide may not unveil all the intricate details found in every Chinese menu, it serves to ensure you don't accidentally request something like Spicy Lung Slices or Large Intestine Soup!

      Food 食物 shíwù

      Vegetables 蔬菜 shūcài

      Cabbage 白菜 báicài

      Scallion/green onion 葱 cōng

      Onion 洋葱 yángcōng

      Celery 芹菜 qíncài

      Coriander 香菜 xiāngcài

      Bamboo shoot 笋 sǔn

      Mushroom 蘑菇 mógū

      Tomato 西红柿/番茄 xīhóngshì/ fānqié

      Potato 土豆 tǔdòu

      Corn 玉米 yùmǐ

      Eggplant 茄子 qiézi

      Cucumber 黄瓜 huángguā

      Bean sprout 豆芽 dòuyá

      Spinach 菠菜 bōcài

      Meat 肉 Ròu

      Pork 猪肉 zhūròu

      Beef 牛肉 niúròu

      Chicken 鸡肉 jīròu

      Lamb 羊肉 yángròu

      Ribs 排骨 páigǔ

      Pork belly 五花肉 wǔhuāròu

      Steak 牛排 niúpái

      Seafood 海鲜 Hǎixiān

      Crab 螃蟹 pángxiè

      Shrimp 虾 xiā

      Fish 鱼 yú

      Lobster 龙虾 lóngxiā

      Spicy crawfish 麻辣小龙虾 málà xiǎo lóngxiā

      Regional dishes 地方菜 dìfāngcài

      Peking duck 北京烤鸭 Běijīng kǎoyā

      Shanghai small steamed buns 上海小笼包 Shànghǎi xiǎolóng bāo

      Xi’an hamburger 西安肉夹馍 Xī’ān ròujiámó

      Sichuan hotpot 四川火锅 Sìchuān huǒguō

      Lanzhou hand-pulled noodles 兰州拉面 Lánzhōu lāmiàn

      Hangzhou braised pork belly 杭州东坡肉 Hángzhōu dōng pō ròu

      Changsha-style stinky tofu 长沙臭豆腐 Chǎngshā chòu dòufu

      Drinks 饮品 yǐnpǐn

      Tea 茶 chá

      Red wine 红酒 hóng pútáojiǔ

      White wine 白葡萄酒 bái pútáojiǔ

      Beer 啤酒 píjiǔ

      Juice 果汁 guǒzhī

      Ice water 冰水 bīngshuǐ

      Coca-Cola 可乐 kělè

      Herbal tea 王老吉 wánglǎojí

      Key ordering phrases:

      Hi, what do you want to order? 你好，请问你要点什么？ Nǐhǎo，qǐngwèn nǐ xiǎng diǎn shénme？

      I’d like to have __. 我想要__。 Wǒ xiǎngyào __.

      Hi waiter, I’m a vegetarian. Can you recommend some vegetarian food to me? 你好，服务员，我是素食主义者，请问你能推荐我一些素食菜给我吗？ Nǐhǎo, fúwùyuán, wǒ shì sùshízhǔyìzhě, qǐngwèn nǐ néng tuījiàn yìxiē sùshícài gěi wǒ ma?

      I really like to eat _! 我很喜欢吃_! Wǒ hěn xǐhuan chī _!

      READ: Michelin 2026 BJ Guide Sees Restaurants Awarded Drop to 32

      Images: Pixabay

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