Survival scene course
Food & Drink Chinese Phrases
Use these Mandarin food and drink phrases when ordering in restaurants, cafes, markets, and convenience stores.
Focus on ordering, asking for water, saying no spicy, and paying the bill. These are high-value phrases for travelers.
Start with the phrases that matter first
Begin with the order you actually want to change: a dish, a drink, or the way it is prepared. Portion counts and the number of diners are separate details.
In a real conversation
The customer first asks for a menu, then adds a request for water. The server's reply answers the menu question; it does not confirm a complete meal order.
qǐng wèn, yǒu cài dān ma?
Excuse me, do you have a menu?
yǒu, qǐng kàn.
Yes. Here you are.
xiè xie. wǒ yào yì bēi shuǐ.
Thanks. I would like a glass of water.
How this scene usually goes
Eating out in China follows a rhythm that is easy once you have seen it once. You are greeted at the door and shown to a table, and hot tea or hot water often arrives before you ask. In many restaurants you order by scanning a QR code on the table with your phone; if that does not work for you, asking for a paper menu is completely normal. Dishes are ordered for the table rather than one per person, and they arrive as they are finished, not all at once. Rice usually comes when you ask for it. When you are done, you do not wait for the bill to be brought over: you ask for it with 买单， then pay at the counter or by phone. Tipping is not customary in many everyday restaurants; follow the venue's stated policy. The phrases on this page cover each of those moments in order, from 我要一杯水 at the start to 买单 at the end.
Good to know
- Tap water is not drunk in China. Ask for hot water （热水）, warm water, or a bottled drink instead. Many restaurants serve hot water for free.
- If QR-code ordering does not work for you, ask for a paper menu and point while saying 我要这个. Ordering options vary by restaurant; ask staff for help rather than assuming an app or foreign payment method will work.
- 不要辣 means no spice at all. If a dish is cooked in a shared spicy base, the kitchen may say 不能 (cannot). For allergies, say 我对…过敏 clearly and separately; do not rely on 不要辣 alone.
- Wet wipes or sealed tissue packs on the table are sometimes charged a small fee. It is normal, and you can hand them back unused if you do not want them.
Common mistakes
- Do not point silently if you can say 请给我. A short phrase makes ordering easier.
- Do not forget 不要辣 if you cannot eat spicy food.
- Do not confuse 不要辣 (no spice) with 少放辣 (less spice). Say exactly which one you need.
Quick practice
- Pick one drink phrase and one food phrase.
- Say the phrase slowly, then at normal speed.
- Pretend you are ordering and add 谢谢 at the end.
Related scenes
Food & Drink Chinese FAQ
How do I ask for water in Chinese?
Say 我想喝水 or 请给我水.
How do I say not spicy in Chinese?
Say 不要辣. It is short and useful when ordering food.
What should I learn first for restaurants?
Learn water, menu, chopsticks, not spicy, and check please.
How do I ask for a paper menu?
Say 有纸的菜单吗？(yǒu zhǐ de cài dān ma). It is a normal request, especially if phone ordering is difficult.
How do I ask if a dish has pictures on the menu?
Say 有图片吗？(yǒu tú piàn ma). Many menus include photos, which makes pointing and ordering much easier.
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Keep learning
How to Order Food in Chinese: Distinguish diners, portions, takeaway, and the bill at the restaurant.
Chinese Food Allergy Phrases for Travelers: State the actual allergen and recognize when an ingredient answer remains uncertain.
How to Say No Spicy in Chinese: Choose no chili, less chili, or chili on the side without mixing up the requests.
Chinese Restaurant Reservation Phrases: Distinguish asking for a table from having a confirmed booking.
A spice scale
- 不辣Not spicy
- 微辣Mildly spicy
- 中辣Medium spicy
- 特辣Extra spicy
Looking for a different word? Search the full practice library.