Ordering food in Mandarin

Start with the situation

To say how many people are dining, use a number, a measure word, and 人 rén. A server may ask 几位？ (“How many people?”), where 位 is a polite measure word for people.

Ordering and asking about dishes

我要 wǒ yào means “I would like” in an ordering context. Pointing at a menu and saying 这个 zhège (“this one”) is perfectly natural.

• 我要一碗牛肉面。 I would like a bowl of beef noodles.
• 这个是什么？ What is this?
• 有什么推荐？ What do you recommend?

Learn the measure word with the food: 一杯水 (a glass of water), 一碗米饭 (a bowl of rice), and 一盘饺子 (a plate of dumplings).

Spice, ingredients, and changes

Use 辣 là for spicy and 不辣 bù là for not spicy. For an allergy or strict dietary restriction, show the written Chinese to the staff as well as saying it.

Paying and leaving

When you are ready to pay, say 买单 mǎidān or 结账 jiézhàng. Add 谢谢 as you leave. If you need to clarify whether payment is by card or mobile payment, ask directly rather than assuming.