Practical Ordering: Menu, Portions, Dietary Restrictions, and Table Etiquette

Portion: Order by "Number of People: 1"

Chinese restaurant dishes are shared style, meaning each dish is shared by the whole table. Standard portion rules:

• 2 people: 2 dishes 1 soup (or 3 dishes)
• 3—4 people: 4 dishes 1 soup
• 5—6 people: 6 dishes 1 soup 1 staple
• 8—10 people: 10—12 dishes 2 soups

Ordering too much will cause waste (the culture of takeout is not as common in China as abroad, but it is already quite common in big cities, and you can ask for a takeaway box proactively).

Menu Structure

Chinese restaurant menus are usually divided into: cold dishes/appetizers, hot dishes, soups, staple food, desserts, and beverages. A reasonable combination is:

• One main meat dish (meat-based main dish)
• One dish mixing meat and vegetables (e.g., shredded pork with green pepper)
• One purely vegetarian or seasonal vegetable dish
• One local specialty (ask the server "What is your most famous dish?")
• One soup
• Staple food: rice by bowl/large bowl, noodles are the main in the north

What to do if you don't eat spicy or have dietary restrictions

• Be clear: "No spicy", "a little spicy", "mildly spicy". China's "mildly spicy" is still very hot for those who cannot eat spicy, so saying "no spice at all" is the safest.
• Spiciness in the Eight Great Cuisines: Sichuan, Hunan, and Guizhou cuisines tend to be spicy; Cantonese, Huaiyang, Shandong, and Zhejiang cuisines are mild; Fujian cuisine tends to be sweet and fresh.
• Regions not eating spicy: Guangdong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, Fujian, and all cities that focus on seafood.
• Vegetarian: Chinese vegetarian tradition is deep, with many temple vegetarian and vegetarian restaurants. Saying "I am vegetarian" is usually understood, but add a clarification like "no meat, no seafood, no green onions/garlic (if needed)."
• Halal: There are many halal restaurants in Northwest China, Xi'an Muslim Quarter, Lanzhou, and Kashgar, recognized by the "Halal" sign.
• Allergies: Peanuts, seafood, and nuts are common in Chinese food. Bringing a card in Chinese indicating your allergies is most practical.

Table Etiquette

• Elders or the host should start eating first. In formal occasions, wait for the main seat to take food first.
• Lazy Susan: At round tables with a rotating tray, turn the dish to your side instead of standing up to take food from across.
• Toasting: The host may offer a toast; drink according to your capacity. If you don't drink, you can explain and substitute with tea or a beverage.
• Chopsticks: Do not stick them into your rice bowl (it resembles a ritual offering), do not point at people with chopsticks, and do not tap the bowl.
• Fish: Serve the fish whole. After finishing one side, do not flip it over (flipping fish is considered unlucky). Pick out the bones and continue eating the other side.
• Paying the bill: Whoever hosts should pay. It is common for people to compete to pay. Splitting the bill is also common among young people.

Practical Tips

• Look at what other tables order: The most effective way to choose dishes in Chinese restaurants is to observe the dishes that are most frequently appearing on surrounding tables.
• Ask the staff: "What's freshest today?" or "Which two dishes do you recommend for two people?"—these two phrases are highly effective.
• QR code ordering: Most restaurants allow ordering via WeChat or Alipay QR codes. These have pictures and are more convenient than reading menus with small print.
• Tea and napkins: Most restaurants provide tea for free or charge 2–5 RMB per person; napkins/wet wipes are often charged, and you can return them if unused.
• Takeout: Meituan and Ele.me can deliver to hotels, making them a convenient option on rest days.