How to Order Food in Chinese: 20 Restaurant Phrases (Pinyin)

To order food in Chinese, point and say 我要这个 (wǒ yào zhège, “I want this one”). That single phrase will feed you anywhere in China. Add 不要辣 (bú yào là, “not spicy”) and 买单 (mǎidān, “the bill, please”), and you can get through almost any meal. Below are the phrases in the order you’ll need them, with the tone that most learners get wrong.

Getting the server’s attention

• 服务员！ — fúwùyuán! — “Server!” This is normal and polite in China; don’t feel rude calling it out.
• 你好， — nǐ hǎo — “Hello,” works as a softer way to get attention.
• 请给我菜单。 — qǐng gěi wǒ càidān — “Please give me the menu.”

Many restaurants now have you scan a QR code to order: 扫码点餐 (sǎo mǎ diǎn cān, “scan to order”). If you see it on the table, that’s what it means.

Tone tip: fúwùyuán is rising–falling–rising (2-4-2). Say fú like a question, wù like a firm “no,” then yuán rising again.

Ordering

• 我要这个。 — wǒ yào zhège — “I want this one.” Point at the menu or at someone else’s plate.
• 我要一个…… — wǒ yào yí gè… — “I’d like one…”
• 有什么推荐的？ — yǒu shénme tuījiàn de? — “What do you recommend?”
• 你们的招牌菜是什么？ — nǐmen de zhāopái cài shì shénme? — “What’s your signature dish?”
• 这个是什么？ — zhège shì shénme? — “What is this?”
• 再来一碗米饭。 — zài lái yì wǎn mǐfàn — “Another bowl of rice, please.”
• 就这些。 — jiù zhèxiē — “That’s all.”

Tone tip: yào (want) is a sharp fourth tone, falling. If it drifts upward, it can sound like yáo (to shake).

Spice, allergies and diets

• 不要辣。 — bú yào là — “Not spicy.” Note that 不 changes to bú (rising) before a fourth tone.
• 微辣。 — wēi là — “Mildly spicy.”
• 少放辣。 — shǎo fàng là — “Go easy on the chilli.”
• 少放盐。 — shǎo fàng yán — “Less salt.”
• 我吃素。 — wǒ chī sù — “I’m vegetarian.”
• 我对花生过敏。 — wǒ duì huāshēng guòmǐn — “I’m allergic to peanuts.”
• 不要香菜。 — bú yào xiāngcài — “No coriander.” Many people will be glad you asked.

Be careful: in Sichuan or Hunan, wēi là can still be very hot by most standards. If you really can’t take spice, say bú yào là and add 一点都不要 (yìdiǎn dōu bú yào, “none at all”).

During the meal

• 很好吃！ — hěn hǎochī! — “It’s delicious!”
• 可以加点水吗？ — kěyǐ jiā diǎn shuǐ ma? — “Could I have some more water?”
• 可以打包吗？ — kěyǐ dǎbāo ma? — “Can I take this to go?”

Paying

• 买单。 — mǎidān — “The bill, please.” In the south you’ll also hear 埋单 (máidān).
• 多少钱？ — duōshao qián? — “How much is it?”
• 可以扫码吗？ — kěyǐ sǎo mǎ ma? — “Can I pay by scanning a code?” Mobile payment is the norm.
• 可以刷卡吗？ — kěyǐ shuā kǎ ma? — “Can I pay by card?”

Tipping isn’t customary in mainland China, so you don’t need a phrase for it.

A sample exchange

服务员： 你好，几位？ (Nǐ hǎo, jǐ wèi? — Hello, how many?) You: 两位。 (Liǎng wèi. — Two.) 服务员： 想吃点什么？ (Xiǎng chī diǎn shénme? — What would you like?) You: 我要这个，不要辣。再来两碗米饭。 (Wǒ yào zhège, bú yào là. Zài lái liǎng wǎn mǐfàn.) 服务员： 好的。 (Hǎo de. — Okay.)

Notice liǎng (两) instead of èr (二) for “two” when counting things or people.

FAQ

How do you say “I want this” in Chinese? 我要这个 — wǒ yào zhège. Point at the dish as you say it; it works in any restaurant.

How do you say “not spicy” in Chinese? 不要辣 — bú yào là. For mild, say 微辣 — wēi là.

How do you ask for the bill in a Chinese restaurant? Say 买单 — mǎidān — or wave and say 服务员，买单 (fúwùyuán, mǎidān).

Is it rude to call “fúwùyuán” out loud? No. It’s the normal way to get a server’s attention in China.

How do you say “I’m vegetarian” in Mandarin? 我吃素 — wǒ chī sù. You can add 不要肉 (bú yào ròu, “no meat”) to be extra clear.

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Want to rehearse before the real thing? Meilin explains in your language and gives you each phrase in characters and pinyin, with a tip on the tone you’re most likely to miss.