Eating in China is a highlight — and easier than you fear, even with zero Chinese.
Ordering at restaurants
- Most restaurants now use QR-code ordering: scan the code on the table with WeChat or Alipay, order from your phone, pay in the app. Menus usually have photos
- No QR? Point at photos, other tables' dishes, or use camera translation
- Say 买单 (mǎidān) or make a writing gesture for the bill — pay at the counter or by QR
Food delivery
- Meituan / Ele.me deliver everything in 30 minutes — but they're Chinese-only and need a local number
- Easier: the delivery mini-programs inside Alipay, or ask your hotel front desk to order for you
Survival food vocabulary
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| Not spicy | 不辣 | bù là |
| No cilantro | 不要香菜 | bù yào xiāngcài |
| Vegetarian | 素菜 | sù cài |
| Water (bottled) | 矿泉水 | kuàngquánshuǐ |
| Beer | 啤酒 | píjiǔ |
| Bill, please | 买单 | mǎidān |
Good to know
- Tipping is not customary — no one expects it anywhere
- Hot water or tea is served free; cold drinks cost extra
- "Spicy" in Sichuan and Hunan means business — 微辣 (mild) is a wise start
- Street food is generally safe when cooked fresh in front of you at busy stalls