🍜Food
How to Order
Most restaurants in tourist areas and cities have menus with photos — point and order. In smaller places:
- Sit down, someone will hand you a menu or direct you to order via QR code
- Scan the QR code on the table → choose dishes → pay in-app
- If no English menu: use Google Translate camera mode (need VPN) or Baidu Translate to photograph the menu
Say "méi yǒu là" (没有辣) if you don't want spicy food. Works everywhere.
Common Allergens — Show These Cards
Save these phrases as screenshots to show restaurant staff:
| Allergy | Chinese | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| No peanuts | 我对花生过敏 | Wǒ duì huāshēng guòmǐn |
| No shellfish | 我对贝类过敏 | Wǒ duì bèi lèi guòmǐn |
| No gluten | 我不能吃麸质 | Wǒ bù néng chī fūzhì |
| Vegetarian (no meat) | 我吃素，不吃肉 | Wǒ chīsù, bù chī ròu |
| No dairy | 我不能喝牛奶 | Wǒ bù néng hē niúnǎi |
Vegetarian and Vegan
China has Buddhist vegetarian restaurants (素食馆) in most cities — excellent and affordable. In regular restaurants, "vegetarian" (素食) may still include chicken stock or fish sauce. Be specific:
"只要蔬菜，不要任何肉" (only vegetables, no meat at all)
Safe Eating Tips
- Street food is generally safe in busy areas — look for high turnover stalls
- Tap water is not safe to drink. Bottled water costs 1–3 RMB.
- Fruit is best washed or peeled
- Cooked food from busy stalls is usually fine
Food Delivery
Meituan and Ele.me are China's food delivery apps but require a Chinese phone number. Ask hotel staff to order for you, or use the hotel restaurant.
Must-Try by City
Beijing
Peking Duck (北京烤鸭), Jianbing (煎饼)
Shanghai
Xiaolongbao (小笼包), Shengjianbao (生煎包)
Chengdu
Hotpot (火锅), Mapo Tofu (麻婆豆腐)
Xi'an
Lamb noodles (羊肉泡馍), Roujiamo (肉夹馍)