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Taste of China: A Guide to Ordering Food & Drinks in Chinese Restaurants visualisation

Taste of China: A Guide to Ordering Food & Drinks in Chinese Restaurants

Confidently order food and drinks in Chinese restaurants!
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The search results mainly covered technological systems and management of restaurant ordering but did not include direct instructions or common phrases for ordering food and drinks in a Chinese restaurant.

I will provide a practical guide based on common experience and etiquette for ordering in a Chinese restaurant.

How to Order Food and Drinks in a Chinese Restaurant

When ordering in a Chinese restaurant, these steps and phrases can be helpful:

Arriving and Seating

  • Wait to be seated unless it is a casual place where you can choose your own table.
  • Review the menu carefully, which often includes appetizers, main dishes, rice/noodle dishes, and drinks.

Ordering Drinks

  • Common drinks include tea (green, jasmine, oolong), soft drinks, or Chinese specialty drinks like plum juice.
  • You can say:
    • “I’d like to order some tea, please.”
    • “Can I have a jasmine tea?”
    • “I’ll have a soft drink, please.”

Ordering Food

  • It’s common to share dishes family-style rather than ordering individual meals.
  • You can start by asking the server for recommendations: “What do you recommend?”
  • Common phrases for ordering:
    • “We would like to order [dish name].”
    • “Can we get the [dish name] and the [dish name]?”
    • “Do you have any spicy dishes?”
  • If unsure about ingredients or spice levels, ask: “Is this dish spicy?” or “Does this contain [ingredient]?”

Special Ordering Tips

  • Dishes often come in large portions meant for sharing.
  • If you want rice or noodles on the side, make sure to request them if not included.
  • If eating with a group, you can say: “We will share these dishes.”

Etiquette

  • Use chopsticks properly or utensils provided.
  • It is polite to wait until everyone is served before starting to eat.
  • Say thank you to the staff when ordering or receiving food.

This guide covers typical phrases and tips for ordering food and drinks smoothly at a Chinese restaurant. For more detailed phrases or cultural tips, further information can be sought if needed.

References

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