Chinese for Travel
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Unit 7 · Restaurant and Ordering

Restaurant Mandarin

Order food in Chinese: get a table, ask for the menu and recommendations, set the spice level, explain allergies, ask for the bill and pack leftovers.

6 lessons 138 phrases About 36 minutes in the app

Lessons

  1. 37

    Getting a table in Chinese

    A hot pot restaurant, Chengdu · 5 min · Free in the app

    Ask for a table, say how many people, ask about waiting time, queue number, smoking area, and seating preferences.

    • 您好，请问有座位吗？ Nínhǎo, qǐngwèn yǒu zuòwèi ma? Hello, do you have a table available?
    • 两位。 Liǎng wèi. Two people.
    • 我们没有预约。 Wǒmen méiyǒu yùyuē. We do not have a reservation.
    All 23 phrases and the scene
  2. 38

    Ordering food and asking for recommendations

    A Peking duck restaurant · 6 min · Premium in the app

    Ask for a menu, order food and drinks, ask for recommendations, best sellers, portions, and signature dishes.

    • 有英文菜单吗？ Yǒu Yīngwén càidān ma? Do you have an English menu?
    • 你们有什么推荐菜？ Nǐmen yǒu shénme tuījiàn cài? What dishes do you recommend?
    • 这个菜里面有什么？ Zhège cài lǐmiàn yǒu shénme? What is in this dish?
    All 23 phrases and the scene
  3. 39

    Spice levels, allergies and diets in Chinese

    A noodle shop, Chongqing · 7 min · Premium in the app

    Explain allergies, dietary restrictions, spiciness level, vegetarian needs, and foods you cannot eat.

    • 这个菜辣吗？ Zhège cài là ma? Is this dish spicy?
    • 我不能吃辣。 Wǒ bù néng chī là. I cannot eat spicy food.
    • 请少放辣椒。 Qǐng shǎo fàng làjiāo. Please use less chili.
    All 23 phrases and the scene
  4. 40

    Extra orders, service and tableware

    A Guangzhou tea house · 6 min · Premium in the app

    Ask for extra dishes, water, napkins, chopsticks, spoons, bowls, plates, serving bowls, and help from staff.

    • 服务员，您好。 Fúwùyuán, nín hǎo. Excuse me, waiter / waitress.
    • 我们想加菜。 Wǒmen xiǎng jiā cài. We would like to order more dishes.
    • 请给我们一壶热水。 Qǐng gěi wǒmen yì hú rèshuǐ. Please give us a pot of hot water.
    All 23 phrases and the scene
  5. 41

    The bill, leftovers and invoice

    A Shanghainese restaurant · 6 min · Premium in the app

    Ask for the bill, pay, split the bill, pack leftovers, ask for a receipt or invoice, and confirm service charges.

    • 服务员，您好，我们想结账。 Fúwùyuán, nín hǎo, wǒmen xiǎng jiézhàng. Excuse me, we would like to pay the bill.
    • 可以用支付宝付款吗？ Kěyǐ yòng Zhīfùbǎo fùkuǎn ma? Can I pay with Alipay?
    • 可以分开付款吗？ Kěyǐ fēnkāi fùkuǎn ma? Can we pay separately?
    All 23 phrases and the scene
  6. 42

    Food problems and changing dishes

    A noodle house, Xi'an · 6 min · Premium in the app

    Report wrong dishes, cold food, missing dishes, too spicy food, foreign objects, or ask to change or cancel a dish.

    • 服务员，您好，这个菜有点问题。 Fúwùyuán, nín hǎo, zhège cài yǒu diǎn wèntí. Excuse me, there is a problem with this dish.
    • 这不是我们点的菜。 Zhè bú shì wǒmen diǎn de cài. This is not the dish we ordered.
    • 我们好像少了一道菜。 Wǒmen hǎoxiàng shǎo le yí dào cài. It seems we are missing one dish.
    All 23 phrases and the scene

Plan this part of your trip

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The apps that matter on a China trip in 2026: payments, DiDi, Amap in English, 12306 trains, food delivery and translation, plus a checklist to do at home.

 Food & drink

How to order food in a Chinese restaurant

Order food in China with confidence: scan-to-order QR codes, picture menus, portion sizes, spice levels, rice and tea, calling staff, paying and leftovers.

 Food & drink

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How to explain food allergies and vegetarian, vegan, halal or gluten-free needs in China, which hidden ingredients to ask about, and why a written card helps.