TL;DR
Chinese food is one of the world's great cuisines, and eating is central to social life. From street-side dumplings to Michelin-starred restaurants, there is something for every palate and budget. In most cities, a casual meal costs ¥15-50 per person. In Shanghai and Beijing, expect ¥30-80.
Types of Eating Establishments
Street Food (小吃)
The heart of Chinese food culture. Found on every corner, often cooked fresh in front of you.
- Price: ¥5-15 per item
- Payment: WeChat Pay or Alipay (rarely cash)
- Examples: Jianbing (savory crepe), baozi (steamed buns), skewers, stinky tofu
Local Restaurants (餐馆)
Family-run or small-chain restaurants serving regional cuisine. The best food is often here.
- Price: ¥20-60 per person
- Ordering: Point at photos, use translation app, or ask staff
- Tips: Look for busy restaurants — locals know best
Fast Food Chains
Familiar options when you need a break from local food.
- Western: KFC, McDonald's, Starbucks, Pizza Hut (ubiquitous)
- Local chains: Jiumaojiu (Cantonese), Dicos (fried chicken)
- Price: ¥30-80 per person
Upscale Restaurants
- Price: ¥150-500+ per person
- Reservations: Recommended, especially for hotpot and seafood
- Payment: All accept mobile payment; some accept international cards
Pro Tip
Download Dianping (大众点评) — China's Yelp. Sort restaurants by " highest rated" (好评最多) with 4.5+ stars and 1000+ reviews for reliable picks.
How to Order
1
Get Seated
Walk in and find a table, or wait to be seated. Some popular places use a queue number system.
2
Order Food
Point at photos on the menu, use a translation app, or show a picture from Dianping. Many menus have QR codes — scan with WeChat to order digitally.
3
Pay
WeChat Pay or Alipay at the counter, or scan the table QR code to pay. Some places collect payment after eating, others before.
Regional Cuisines to Try
| Cuisine | Region | Signature Dishes | Flavor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sichuan | Chengdu, Chongqing | Hotpot, mapo tofu, kung pao chicken | Spicy, numbing (málà) |
| Cantonese | Guangzhou, Hong Kong | Dim sum, roast duck, wonton noodles | Fresh, subtle, sweet |
| Beijing | Beijing | Peking duck, zhajiangmian | Rich, savory |
| Shanghai | Shanghai | Xiaolongbao, shengjianbao, braised pork | Sweet, oily |
| Northwestern | Xi'an, Lanzhou | Biangbiang noodles, lamb skewers, roujiamo | Hearty, wheat-based |
Food Safety
- Stick to busy places: High turnover means fresh ingredients
- Watch it cooked: Street food cooked in front of you is generally safe
- Drinking water: Tap water is treated but not recommended for direct drinking due to pipe conditions. Boiled water is safe. Most people drink bottled or boiled water.
- Ice: In reputable restaurants it is fine; avoid ice from street vendors
- Peel fruit: Wash or peel fruits and vegetables
Important
If you have a sensitive stomach, ease into street food gradually. Start with cooked, hot foods and avoid raw vegetables from street vendors for the first few days.
Allergies & Dietary Restrictions
Communicating dietary needs can be challenging. Prepare before you go:
- Write it down: Carry a card in Chinese explaining your allergy (e.g., "我对花生严重过敏" — I am severely allergic to peanuts)
- Common allergens: Peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, sesame, soy are widely used
- Vegetarian/Vegan: Say "我吃素" (wǒ chī sù). Be aware that many dishes use meat broth even without visible meat
- Gluten-free: Very difficult — wheat noodles and soy sauce are in almost everything
- Halal: Look for "清真" (Qīngzhēn) signs — Muslim restaurants are common in many cities
- Kosher: Extremely limited outside major cities
Pro Tip
For serious allergies, consider carrying an EpiPen and a printed allergy card in Chinese. Translation apps work, but a physical card is faster and clearer in an emergency.
Tipping
Tipping is not customary in China. In fact, it can make people uncomfortable.
- Restaurants: No tip expected. Some upscale places add 10-15% service charge.
- Taxis / DiDi: No tip. Round up to the nearest yuan if you want.
- Tour guides: Tipping is becoming more common for private guides. ¥50-100/day is generous.
Drinking Culture
- Tea: Free hot tea is standard at almost every restaurant
- Alcohol: Baijiu (白酒) is the local spirit — very strong (40-60%). Beer is cheap and common.
- Toasts: "Gānbēi" (干杯) means "cheers" — often bottoms up for small glasses
- Refusing drinks: It is acceptable to decline alcohol; just be polite
Useful Phrases
| English | Pinyin | Chinese |
|---|---|---|
| I want to order | Wǒ yào diǎn cài | 我要点菜 |
| The bill, please | Mǎidān | 买单 |
| Not spicy | Bù là | 不辣 |
| A little spicy | Wēilà | 微辣 |
| Very spicy | Tèlà | 特辣 |
| Delicious | Hǎo chī | 好吃 |
| Check, please | Jiézhàng | 结账 |