Eating in China

📱 QR code ordering

At most casual and mid-range restaurants, there are no paper menus. Every table has a QR code sticker. Here is the drill:

1. 1
   Open WeChat or Alipay and scan the QR code on the table
2. 2
   A digital menu opens — browse by category with photos and prices
3. 3
   Tap the items you want, then confirm your order
4. 4
   When you are done, pay directly through WeChat / Alipay — no need to call the waiter

🥦 Vegetarian & vegan

Chinese vegetarianism (素食 · sù shí) is understood but usually means Buddhist-style — no meat, but may include eggs and dairy. Typical pitfalls:

• ✗ "Vegetable" dishes often have minced pork or lard. Say "Bu yao rou" (不要肉 — no meat) when ordering.
• ✓ Buddhist vegetarian restaurants (素菜馆) are common in larger cities and are reliably vegan-friendly.
• ✓ Use Dianping to search for "素食" near you — maps show photos of the food so you know what to expect.

🥩 Halal

China has a large Muslim population. Look for restaurants with green signs and Arabic script — these are 清真 (qīng zhēn) halal restaurants. They are especially common in Xi'an, Lanzhou, Beijing (Niujie area), and Xinjiang restaurants across the country.

⚠️ Allergies & sensitivities

• ✗ MSG (味精 · wèi jīng): Ubiquitous in Chinese cooking. Say "Bu yao wei jing" — most restaurants will accommodate.
• ✗ Peanut oil: Most stir-fries use peanut oil. If allergic, specify "Hua sheng you guo min" (花生油过敏).
• ✗ Gluten / dairy: Wheat-based soy sauce is everywhere. Cheese is rare outside Western restaurants. Carry an allergy card in Chinese.
• ✓ Carry a card: Print or save a photo of your allergy written in Chinese (and severity). Show it to the waiter.

🍽️ The unwritten rules

• ✓ Wait for the host to start — Usually the oldest or most senior person picks up chopsticks first.
• ✓ Do not stick chopsticks upright in rice — It resembles incense sticks at a funeral. Rest them on the chopstick rest.
• ✓ Sharing is standard — Dishes arrive for the whole table. Use the serving spoon if provided, or the opposite end of your chopsticks.
• ✓ Tea is free — Most restaurants serve complimentary tea (茶). You usually do not have to order it.
• ✓ Tipping is not required — Do not tip in casual restaurants. In high-end places, a 10–15% service charge is already included.

🧧 The bill fight

In China, splitting the bill is less common than fighting for it. Friends and colleagues will physically compete to pay the bill — this is a sign of generosity, not awkwardness. As a foreigner you are unlikely to win this fight. The easiest response: offer once, thank them sincerely, and treat them next time. If you are the host, slip away to pay at the counter before the meal ends.

🛵 Meituan (美团)

1. 1
   Download Meituan from your App Store (iOS/Android)
2. 2
   Allow location access so it shows nearby restaurants
3. 3
   Browse by category or search directly: 披萨 (pizza), 汉堡 (burger), 沙拉 (salad)
4. 4
   Tap on dishes to add them to your cart. Photos are reliable — what you see is close to what arrives.
5. 5
   Enter your delivery address — many hotels have a standard address card at reception. Or use pin-drop.
6. 6
   Pay with WeChat Pay or Alipay. Estimated delivery time: usually 25–40 min.
7. 7
   The rider will call when they arrive. Say "Fang zai qiantai" (放在前台 — leave it at reception) for contactless delivery.

🥡 Ele.me (饿了么)

Same flow as Meituan, sometimes cheaper. Owned by Alibaba, slightly stronger in southern cities. Good for late-night orders — many restaurants deliver until 2am.

👑 The golden rule

Look for stall queues. If locals queue, the turnover is fast and the food is fresh. Avoid stalls with pre-cooked food sitting out. Night markets (夜市 · yè shì) are the best bet — they are regulated, busy, and everything is cooked to order.

👍 What to try (low risk)

• ✓ Jianbing (煎饼 · jiān bing): Made-to-order savoury crêpes with egg, crispy wonton skin, and hoisin — cooked right in front of you.
• ✓ Barbecue skewers (烧烤 · shāo kǎo): Lamb skewers grilled to order, especially from Xinjiang-style stalls.
• ✓ Tanghulu (糖葫芦 · táng hú lu): Candied fruit on a stick — hawthorn or strawberry. Shelf-stable, zero risk.
• ✓ Baked sweet potatoes (烤红薯 · kǎo hóng shǔ): Sold from metal drums in winter. The cooking heat kills everything.

👀 What to approach carefully

• ✗ Raw or cold seafood: Boiled shellfish sitting at room temperature is a no.
• ✗ Unbottled drinks from stalls: Stick to sealed bottles or hot tea.
• ✗ Cut fruit from street vendors: Unknown how long it has been sitting — buy whole fruit and peel it yourself.

⭐ Dianping scores, decoded

• ★ Score 4.5+: Exceptional, usually worth a detour.
• ★ Score 4.0–4.5: Solid, reliable choice.
• ★ Score 3.5–4.0: Average, fine for a quick meal.
• ✗ Below 3.5: Avoid unless it is a specific local favourite with loyal fans.

Beyond the star rating, look at the number of reviews (>500 is reliable), recent reviews (last 3 months), and photo count (>100 photos means it is busy). A new restaurant with a 4.8 is riskier than a 12-year-old place with a 4.0.