Food & Dining
China's food scene is incredible. Here's how to navigate it without speaking Chinese.
Use WeChat or Alipay to scan the QR code on the table.
A digital menu appears. Photos of every dish. Use your phone's translate feature if needed.
Select items, confirm, and pay directly through the mini-program. Food arrives at your table.
Search "Meituan" or find it in the mini-programs section.
The app shows restaurants near your location with photos and ratings.
Tap photos to add items to your cart. Use the translate feature in WeChat to read menus.
Use your hotel address (in Chinese). Always include your room number! Copy-paste from your saved notes.
Pay with Alipay. Delivery usually takes 20-40 minutes. The driver will call when arriving.
Must-try Chinese street food classics
Dianping (大众点评) is the go-to app for restaurant ratings, reviews, and photos. Think Yelp + Google Reviews combined. Note: the interface is Chinese-only — use your phone's built-in translate feature or screenshot-translate to navigate.
How to use: Search in Alipay or download the standalone app. Browse nearby restaurants, check star ratings, see real food photos from diners, and read reviews (use translate).
Gaode Maps (高德地图) also shows restaurant ratings and can navigate you there. Tap any restaurant pin on the map to see ratings and reviews.
- Stick chopsticks vertically in rice (resembles funeral incense)
- Point at people with chopsticks
- Tap bowls with chopsticks (associated with begging)
- Cross chopsticks on the table
- Rest chopsticks on the holder or plate edge
- Use serving chopsticks for shared dishes
- Ask for a fork and spoon if needed
- Place chopsticks side by side when finished
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| No spice | 不要辣 | bu yao la |
| Vegetarian | 素食 | su shi |
| Take away | 打包 | da bao |
| The bill please | 买单 | mai dan |
| Delicious! | 好吃! | hao chi |
| Water | 水 | shui |
| Rice | 米饭 | mi fan |
| Noodles | 面条 | mian tiao |
Select your dietary restrictions to generate a card you can show at restaurants.
ALLERGY WARNING / 过敏警告
请不要在食物中添加以上成分。谢谢!
Please do not add the above ingredients. Thank you!
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Human help for selected restaurant, translation, and booking requests via WhatsApp or WeChat.
We call restaurants in Chinese and book your table.
Send us a photo of a menu or sign - we translate instantly.
We buy tickets on Chinese platforms that don't accept foreign cards.
Tell us your vibe and we suggest spots locals actually go to.
川家本帮
上海市黄浦区中山东一路外滩附近
Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, near The Bund, Huangpu District
Show this to your DiDi driver. Enjoy dinner!
慕田峪长城
北京市怀柔区渲海镇慕田峪村
Mutianyu Village, Bohai Town, Huairou District
I recommend booking a DiDi for ~150 RMB one way (~1.5 hrs). Want me to arrange a round-trip driver instead? About 500 RMB for the day with waiting time.
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