How do I order food if I don't speak Chinese?
Use these methods in order of ease: (1) Dianping app — find restaurants, see English menus with photos, order and pay in-app. (2) Picture menus — most restaurants have dish photos, just point. (3) Point at other tables' food. (4) Google Translate camera — point at Chinese menu, get instant translation. (5) Learn 5 phrases: 'yī ge' (one), 'bù là' (not spicy), 'xièxie' (thanks), 'mǎidān' (bill), 'yǒu yīngwén càidān ma' (English menu?).
Quick answer
Use these methods in order of ease: (1) Dianping app — find restaurants, see English menus with photos, order and pay in-app. (2) Picture menus — most restaurants have dish photos, just point. (3) Point at other tables' food. (4) Google Translate camera — point at Chinese menu, get instant translation. (5) Learn 5 phrases: 'yī ge' (one), 'bù là' (not spicy), 'xièxie' (thanks), 'mǎidān' (bill), 'yǒu yīngwén càidān ma' (English menu?).
Detailed answer
App-Based Ordering (Easiest)
Dianping (大众点评): BEST app for food. Has English version. Search restaurants nearby, read reviews, see photo menus, check prices. Many restaurants allow in-app ordering and payment — just select dishes, confirm, pay via Alipay/WeChat. No speaking needed.
Meituan (美团): Similar to Dianping, often has better deals and coupons. Some English support. Good for group buying and food delivery.
KFC/McDonald's/Pizza Hut apps: All major fast food chains have English apps with mobile ordering. Pick up at counter or have it delivered to your table number.
Food delivery: Ele.me (饿了么) and Meituan Waimai deliver to your hotel. Some English support but addresses need to be in Chinese — ask hotel staff to help set up.
Tip: Save your hotel's Chinese address in your phone notes — you'll need it for delivery and for telling taxi drivers.
In-Restaurant Ordering Tips
Picture menus: 80%+ of Chinese restaurants have photo menus or plastic display models near the entrance. Just point at what you want. Hold up 1 finger for one serving, 2 for two.
Point at other tables: If you see something delicious at another table, point and say 'yī ge' (one). The waiter will understand and bring you the same dish.
Google Translate camera: Download the Chinese offline pack before arrival. Point your camera at a printed menu — it overlays English translation in real time. Works surprisingly well for standard dishes.
Pleco dictionary app: Has OCR camera translation. More accurate than Google for Chinese characters. Can also look up individual characters.
Ask for 'yīngwén càidān' (English menu): Many tourist-area restaurants have one. If not, they'll often have a picture menu.
Useful phrase: 'zhège duōshao qián?' (How much is this?) — point at the dish while saying it.
10 Essential Food Phrases
-
'Nǐ hǎo' (你好) — Hello. Get the waiter's attention.
-
'Yǒu yīngwén càidān ma?' (有英文菜单吗？) — Do you have an English menu?
-
'Yī ge zhège' (一个这个) — One of this (point at menu/photo).
-
'Bù là, xièxie' (不辣，谢谢) — Not spicy, thanks. CRITICAL in Sichuan/Hunan restaurants.
-
'Yǒu sùcài ma?' (有素菜吗？) — Do you have vegetarian dishes?
-
'Bù yào cōng/jiāng/suàn' (不要葱/姜/蒜) — No onion/ginger/garlic.
-
'Hǎo chī!' (好吃！) — Delicious! Compliments the chef.
-
'Mǎidān, xièxie' (买单，谢谢) — Bill, please.
-
'Kěyǐ shuākǎ ma?' (可以刷卡吗？) — Can I pay by card? (Answer is usually 'no' — use Alipay.)
-
'Wéishēngjiān zài nǎlǐ?' (卫生间在哪里？) — Where is the bathroom?