Speaking • Practical Situations
Ordering Food and Drink in Mandarin Chinese
Eating out is central to Chinese social and business culture. This page covers everything you need from walking in the door to settling the bill — getting a table, ordering, special dietary requests, and paying.
At a Restaurant — Getting a Table and Reading the Menu
| 汉字 Chinese | 拼音 Pīnyīn | English |
|---|---|---|
几位？ | jǐ wèi? | How many people? (staff asking — 位 is the polite measure word for people) |
两位，谢谢 | liǎng wèi, xièxiè | Two people, thank you |
有位子吗？ | yǒu wèizi ma? | Do you have a table / seats available? |
我想订位 | wǒ xiǎng dìng wèi | I'd like to make a reservation |
可以看一下菜单吗？ | kěyǐ kàn yīxià càidān ma? | Could I see the menu please? |
这道菜是什么？ | zhè dào cài shì shénme? | What is this dish? (pointing at menu) |
有什么推荐的吗？ | yǒu shénme tuījiàn de ma? | Do you have any recommendations? |
今天的特别菜是什么？ | jīntiān de tèbié cài shì shénme? | What is today's special? |
Ordering Dishes
| 汉字 Chinese | 拼音 Pīnyīn | English |
|---|---|---|
我要这个 | wǒ yào zhège | I'll have this one (pointing at menu) |
来一份… | lái yī fèn… | One serving of… (e.g. 来一份炒饭 — one serving of fried rice) |
再来一碗米饭 | zài lái yī wǎn mǐfàn | Another bowl of rice please |
给我们点菜 | gěi wǒmen diǎn cài | We're ready to order |
我要两份 | wǒ yào liǎng fèn | I'll have two servings |
可以慢慢上 | kěyǐ màn man shàng | No rush — you can bring it slowly (courses) |
先上冷菜 | xiān shàng lěng cài | Please bring the cold dishes first |
喝什么？来杯茶吧 | hē shénme? lái bēi chá ba | What to drink? Let's have tea |
Special Requests and Dietary Needs
| 汉字 Chinese | 拼音 Pīnyīn | English |
|---|---|---|
我不吃辣 | wǒ bù chī là | I don't eat spicy food |
少放盐，谢谢 | shǎo fàng yán, xièxiè | Less salt please |
不要放味精 | bùyào fàng wèijīng | No MSG please |
我对…过敏 | wǒ duì… guòmǐn | I'm allergic to… (e.g. 花生 huāshēng = peanuts) |
我吃素 | wǒ chī sù | I'm vegetarian (eat only vegetable dishes) |
可以不放肉吗？ | kěyǐ bù fàng ròu ma? | Can you leave out the meat? |
打包可以吗？ | dǎbāo kěyǐ ma? | Can I get this to take away / packed up? |
我要外卖 | wǒ yào wàimài | I want a takeaway / delivery |
Asking for the Bill
| 汉字 Chinese | 拼音 Pīnyīn | English |
|---|---|---|
买单！ | mǎi dān! | Bill please! / Check please! (common in China) |
结账，谢谢 | jiézhàng, xièxiè | Bill / settle up, thank you (slightly more formal) |
多少钱？ | duōshǎo qián? | How much is it? |
可以刷卡吗？ | kěyǐ shuā kǎ ma? | Can I pay by card? |
可以用微信支付吗？ | kěyǐ yòng wēixìn zhīfù ma? | Can I pay with WeChat Pay? |
我来请客 | wǒ lái qǐng kè | I'm treating / I'll pay |
我们AA制吧 | wǒmen AA zhì ba | Let's split the bill |
这里有优惠券吗？ | zhèlǐ yǒu yōuhuì quàn ma? | Do you have any discount coupons here? |
Usage Notes
买单 (mǎi dān) is the colloquial, widely used way to call for the bill in mainland China. 结账 (jiézhàng) is slightly more formal. In Taiwan and Hong Kong, 埋单 (mái dān) is more common. All will be understood anywhere — pick what you hear locally.
In mainland China, most restaurants accept WeChat Pay (微信支付 wēixìn zhīfù) and Alipay (支付宝 zhīfùbǎo) almost exclusively. Foreign cards are increasingly accepted in tourist areas, but having a mobile payment option set up is strongly advised.
In Chinese culture, one person typically pays for the whole table (请客 qǐng kè). There is often a friendly competitive struggle at the end of a meal over who gets to pay. If you are the guest, make a gesture to pay — your host will refuse. Accept gracefully and offer to pay next time.