{"id":1344,"date":"2023-10-24T03:59:18","date_gmt":"2023-10-23T19:59:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/2023\/10\/24\/simple-tricks-to-reading-the-chinese-menu\/"},"modified":"2024-07-02T13:41:26","modified_gmt":"2024-07-02T05:41:26","slug":"tricks-to-reading-the-chinese-menu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/tricks-to-reading-the-chinese-menu\/","title":{"rendered":"Simple Tricks To Reading the Chinese Menu"},"content":{"rendered":"

Want to order from the Chinese menu and not the watered down English version they present to non-Chinese speakers? Perhaps some readers know how to ask for what they want in Mandarin but what if you are hankering for a new sensory experience and would lik<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Want to order from the Chinese menu and not the watered down English version<\/a> they present to non-Chinese speakers? Perhaps some readers know how to ask for what they want in Mandarin but what if you are hankering for a new sensory experience and would like to try the specials or dish of the day?\u00a0Reading the\u00a0culinary\u00a0characters on a Chinese menu is not so cut and dry. Learn\u00a06 simple tricks for deciphering the Chinese menu in our Blog post today.<\/p>\n

\"Chinese<\/p>\n

Image: Fluent in Mandarin<\/p>\n

\n

Understanding the Chinese menu<\/h2>\n

\u5403\u996d\u4e86\u5417? \u2013 Ch\u012bf\u00e0n le ma? \u2013 Have you eaten yet?<\/p>\n

This standard Mandarin greeting illustrates the importance of food in Chinese culture<\/a> at the extent to which food and the language are intertwined.<\/p>\n

Fittingly, it is not surprising that often the first real-life test of a Mandarin learner\u2019s language ability \u00a0takes place in the Chinese restaurant. However, one quickly realizes that a single Chinese menu simply does not exist.<\/p>\n

Chinese food typically consists of Eight Culinary Cuisines scattered across the mainland, extending to the islands of Hong Kong and Taiwan.From local shops to fancy restaurants, as a Mandarin learner, you might find that no matter how many characters you have under your belt, you may still find yourself in a restaurant unable to decipher the complex combinations of characters that make up the name of each dish. Can you guess what these famous dishes are:\u00a0\u5e72\u7178\u56db\u5b63\u8c46\u00a0| g\u0101nbi\u0101n s\u00ecj\u00ec d\u00f2u,\u00a0\u6e05\u6e6f\u9b5a\u5713\u00a0| q\u012bngt\u0101ng y\u00fayu\u00e1n,\u00a0\u9c7c\u9999\u8304\u5b50\u00a0| y\u00faxi\u0101ng qi\u00e9zi,\u00a0\u9ebb\u5a46\u8c46\u8150\u00a0| m\u00e1p\u00f3 d\u00f2uf\u01d4\uff0c\u4e09\u676f\u9e21\u00a0| s\u0101n b\u0113i j\u012b?<\/p>\n

\"menu1<\/p>\n

Image: Quora<\/p>\n

\n

Without memorizing the name of each \u00a0dish, it can be very difficult indeed. Menu items are often given fancy names to add a flair of originality (think\u00a0\u4f5b\u8df3\u5899\u00a0|\u00a0f\u00f3 ti\u00e0o qi\u00e1ng \u2013(a famous dish that is supposed to be so good that even Buddha would jump over a wall to eat it!).<\/p>\n

So what is the secret to being able to read the Chinese menu? It is all about breaking down the menu into its main categories, and recognizing<\/a> the most important characters that define a Chinese dish.<\/p>\n

Read more to find out how\u2026<\/p>\n

Stomach-stuffers<\/strong><\/p>\n

Carbs to learn:<\/p>\n

\u996d\u00a0| f\u00e0n (rice)\uff0c\u9762\u00a0|\u00a0mi\u00e0n (noodles)\uff0c\u5305\u5b50\u00a0|\u00a0b\u0101ozi (steamed dumplings),\u00a0\u9762\u5305\u00a0|\u00a0mi\u00e0nb\u0101o (buns)\uff0c\u997c\u00a0|\u00a0b\u01d0ng (cake), \u00a0\u997a\u5b50\u00a0|\u00a0ji\u01ceozi (boiled dumplings)<\/p>\n

Carbs form the basis of your meal in Chinese cuisine. Do you want a rice-based dish, or do you prefer noodles?<\/p>\n

Or, perhaps, you\u2019ve heard this particular restaurant specializes in delicious mouth-watering dumplings such as\u00a0\u5c0f\u7b3c\u5305\u00a0| Xi\u01ceol\u00f3ngb\u0101o, the famous soup-filled dumpling.<\/p>\n

Typically, in a larger restaurant the menu will separate noodle and rice dishes with the word \u201clei\u201d \u7c7b at the end to signify the type of meal base you want.<\/p>\n

However, do not expect this in the smaller local shops, where the menu is short and concise, with all dishes listed together.<\/p>\n

So next time you see a menu items such as\u00a0\u714e\u997c\u00a0|\u00a0Ji\u0101nbing, \u62c5\u62c5\u9762\u00a0|\u00a0d\u00e0nd\u00e0nmi\u00e0n, or\u00a0\u5364\u8089\u996d\u00a0|\u00a0l\u01d4r\u00f2uf\u00e0n, if you prefer a specific carb, you can select it based on the last character of the dish which will signify the base of your meal.<\/p>\n

\"menu2<\/p>\n

Image: La Vie Zine<\/p>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Meat-galore<\/strong><\/p>\n

Meats to learn:<\/p>\n

\u8089\u00a0|\u00a0r\u00f2u (meat),\u00a0\u9e21\u00a0| j\u012b (chicken),\u00a0\u732a\u00a0|\u00a0zh\u016b (pork), \u725b\u00a0|\u00a0ni\u00fa (beef)\uff0c\u9c7c\u00a0| y\u00fa (fish)\uff0c\u86cb\u00a0|\u00a0d\u00e0n (egg)\uff0c \u7f8a\u00a0|\u00a0y\u00e1ng \u00a0(lamb)\uff0c\u9e2d\u00a0| y\u0101 (duck) and characters containing\u00a0\u201c\u866b\u201d\u00a0(for seafood)<\/p>\n

The next step is to choose the type of meat you want.<\/p>\n

This is key, because when it comes to meat, people vary in their ability and willingness to eat the variety offered in Chinese cuisine.<\/p>\n

Perhaps you are vegetarian, which makes it all the more important to know your meats, so that you can avoid these dishes. In most situations, learning the above listed characters will be enough to ensure that you do not end up with something more exotic than what you are prepared to eat.<\/p>\n

On the menu, look for a section called\u00a0\u7d20\u98df\u00a0| s\u00f9sh\u00ed (vegetarian) vs.\u00a0\u8089\u7c7b\u00a0|\u00a0r\u00f2u l\u00e8i in larger restaurants.<\/p>\n

However, in smaller shops, the key is to look for the above-mentioned characters as a general guide to guarantee you end up with a meat you enjoy.<\/p>\n

If you are feeling adventurous, you may want to learn the following additional meats commonly found on Chinese menus:<\/p>\n

intestine (\u5927\u80a0\u00a0|\u00a0d\u00e0ch\u00e1ng), notably found in Taiwan\u2019s popular noodle soup called\u00a0\u5927\u80a0\u9762\u7ebf\u00a0|\u00a0d\u00e0ch\u00e1ng mi\u00e0n xi\u00e0n,\u00a0or Chinese sausage (\u9999\u80a0\u00a0| xi\u0101ngch\u00e1ng).<\/p>\n

For seafood, look for the radical\u00a0\u201c\u866b\u201d, which represents insect (sea insect if used as a radical), such as: shrimp (\u867e\u00a0|\u00a0xi\u0101), crab (\u8783\u87f9 |\u00a0p\u00e1ngxi\u00e8), and lobster (\u9f99\u867e |\u00a0l\u00f3ngxi\u0101)<\/p>\n

\"menu3<\/p>\n

Image: Fine Dining Lovers<\/p>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Save the furry friends<\/strong><\/p>\n

Greens to learn:<\/p>\n

\u6e05\u00a0|\u00a0q\u012bng\uff0c\u83dc\u00a0|\u00a0c\u00e0i\uff0c\u8c46\u00a0|\u00a0d\u00f2u\uff0c \u74dc\u00a0|\u00a0gu\u0101\uff0c\u9999\u83c7\u00a0|\u00a0xi\u0101ngg\u016b\uff0c\u8304\u5b50\u00a0|\u00a0qi\u00e9zi\uff0c\u756a\u8304\u00a0|\u00a0f\u0101nqi\u00e9<\/p>\n

Vegetarians beware \u2013 many Chinese dishes contain some meat even if it is not written on the menu, so it is important to always make sure and enquire from the person attending.<\/p>\n

Anytime you see the character\u00a0\u201c\u8c46\u201d, it will typically represent a dish which contains beans or tofu of some sort, such as the earlier mentioned\u00a0\u5e72\u7178\u56db\u5b63\u8c46\u00a0|\u00a0g\u0101nbi\u0101n s\u00ecj\u00ec d\u00f2u.<\/p>\n

There are of course a wide variety of leafy greens and different ways to write the \u201cseasonal or daily special\u201d depending on both the region and the restaurant itself, but a good way of identifying greens is to find dish names ending with the character\u00a0\u83dc\u00a0|\u00a0c\u00e0i.<\/p>\n

\"menu4<\/p>\n

Image: Steamy Kitchen<\/p>\n

\n

Soup vs. Dry<\/strong><\/p>\n

Characters to learn:<\/p>\n

\u6c64\u00a0| t\u0101ng\uff0c \u5e72\u00a0|\u00a0g\u00e0n\uff0c\u706b\u9505 | hu\u01d2gu\u014d (hot pot).<\/p>\n

The last thing you want is to be caught in China in the blistering humid heat of July or August, and end up with a big bowl of steaming soup noodles, when what you actually hoped for is a dried or even cold noodle dish such as\u00a0\u51c9\u9762\u00a0|\u00a0li\u00e1ng mi\u00e0n.<\/p>\n

A lot of restaurants will separate soup dishes in its own category on the menu.<\/p>\n

If not, look for dishes ending with the character\u00a0\u201c\u6c64\u201d. For more common dishes such as\u00a0\u725b\u8089\u9762\u00a0| ni\u00far\u00f2u mi\u00e0n (a Taiwanese specialty), the character for soup is often not specified in the name of the dish.<\/p>\n

In the mood for hot pot on a cold winter day? Another good word to learn is\u00a0\u706b\u9505\u00a0|\u00a0hu\u01d2gu\u014d!<\/p>\n

\"menu5<\/p>\n

Image: Pinterest<\/p>\n

\n

What is your style?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cooking methods:<\/p>\n

\u7092\u00a0| ch\u01ceo (stir fried), \u00a0\u714e\u00a0| ji\u0101n (panfried),\u00a0\u6e05\u84b8\u00a0| q\u012bngzh\u0113ng (steamed),\u00a0\u70b8\u00a0| zh\u00e0 (deepfried),\u00a0\u70e4\u00a0| k\u01ceo (baked).<\/p>\n

You might have heard of the famous dish called\u00a0\u5317\u4eac\u70e4\u9e2d\u00a0|\u00a0B\u011bij\u012bng k\u01ceoy\u0101 (Beijing duck) or the ever-popular street food\u00a0\u714e\u997c\u00a0|\u00a0ji\u0101nb\u01d0ng (fried pancake, similar to crepes).<\/p>\n

While not all cooking methods will appear as characters of dish names such as these, the most common you are likely to find are the characters noted above for stir fried, pan fried, steamed, and baked.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re a fan of fish, steamed (\u6e05\u84b8\u9c7c\u7247\u00a0|\u00a0q\u012bngzh\u0113ng y\u00fa pi\u00e0n) is a good option, both delicious and widely popular. Otherwise, should the cooking method not be given away in the dish name, it is useful to learn these characters in the event you need to ask your waiter or the person serving.<\/p>\n

\"menu6<\/p>\n

Image: Huffington Post<\/p>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Spice it up!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adjectives to learn:<\/p>\n

\u6e05\u00a0|\u00a0q\u012bng,\u00a0\u9ebb\u00a0| m\u00e1 (numbing),\u00a0\u8fa3\u00a0|\u00a0l\u00e0 (spicy)<\/p>\n

Wondering if you\u2019ll like\u00a0\u9ebb\u8fa3\u706b\u9505\u00a0| m\u00e1l\u00e0 hu\u01d2gu\u014d?<\/p>\n

Well that all depends on how much spice you can handle! Those who crave spice should look for dishes that contain the characters\u00a0\u201c\u8fa3\u201dor\u00a0\u201c\u9ebb\u201d\u00a0or combined\u00a0\u201c\u9ebb\u8fa3\u201c.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, those who cannot handle spice, would be better off avoiding these altogether. Some dishes will show the character\u00a0\u201c\u6e05\u201d, usually to describe non-spicy soup broths or a non-spicy vegetable sauce (\u6e05\u7092\u00a0|\u00a0q\u012bng ch\u01ceo)\u3002<\/p>\n

\"menu7<\/p>\n

Image: Quora<\/p>\n

\n

And there you have it \u2013\u00a06 simple tricks for successfully ordering what you want to eat in a Chinese restaurant.<\/p>\n

Only by venturing away from restaurants that offer English menus will you be able to truly experience the varied authentic flavors of Chinese<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Want to order from the Chinese menu and not the watered down English version they present to non-Chinese speakers? Perhaps some readers know how to ask for what they want …","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[60,386,306,29,559],"class_list":["post-1344","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-pro-tips","tag-china","tag-chinese-culture","tag-hiredchina","tag-jobs","tag-marketing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1344","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1344"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1344\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11772,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1344\/revisions\/11772"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1344"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1344"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1344"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}