China’s food scene can feel overwhelming on first arrival. Eight major culinary traditions, unfamiliar ingredients, language barriers, and a payment system that assumes you have Alipay or WeChat Pay.
This guide does not try to rank the “best” dishes. Instead, it gives you a practical framework: what to expect by region, how to order without speaking Chinese, how to eat safely, and which tools to use. By the end, you should be able to walk into any restaurant, order a meal, and pay without stress.
The Eight Great Cuisines at a Glance
China’s culinary landscape is divided into eight major traditions. Each has distinct flavors, ingredients, and cooking techniques.
| Cuisine | English Name | Flavor Profile | Must-Try Dish | Spice Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 川菜 | Sichuan | Numbing and spicy (mala) | Mapo tofu (麻婆豆腐), Kung Pao chicken | Very spicy |
| 粤菜 | Cantonese | Light, fresh, steamed | Dim sum (点心), roast goose | Mild |
| 鲁菜 | Shandong | Salty, fresh, hearty | Braised sea cucumber, sweet and sour carp | Mild |
| 苏菜 | Jiangsu | Sweet, delicate, refined | Sweet and spare ribs, xiaolongbao | Mild |
| 闽菜 | Fujian | Seafood, sweet, umami | Buddha jumping over the wall (佛跳墙) | Mild |
| 浙菜 | Zhejiang | Fresh, light, slightly sweet | Dongpo pork (东坡肉), West Lake fish | Mild |
| 湘菜 | Hunan | Spicy, sour, bold | Chairman Mao’s red braised pork, spicy chicken | Spicy |
| 徽菜 | Anhui | Wild herbs, mountain ingredients | Stewed soft-shell turtle, bamboo shoots | Mild |
Practical takeaway: If you prefer mild food, stick with Cantonese, Jiangsu, or Zhejiang cuisine. If you want heat, go Sichuan or Hunan. Most restaurants in tourist areas can adjust spice levels.
What to Eat by City
Beijing
Beijing cuisine is hearty and wheat-based, reflecting the city’s history as the imperial capital.
- Peking duck (北京烤鸭) — The signature dish. Thinly sliced roasted duck wrapped in pancakes with hoisin sauce and scallions. Order at a specialty restaurant like Da Dong or Siji Minfu.
- Zha jiang mian (炸酱面) — Wheat noodles with fermented soybean paste, pork, and fresh vegetables. A simple, filling lunch.
- Jian bing (煎饼) — Crispy savory crepe with egg, cilantro, and chili sauce. Popular breakfast street food.
- Lamb hotpot (涮羊肉) — Mongolian-style hotpot. Dip thin lamb slices into boiling broth, then into sesame sauce.
Ordering tip: At a traditional Beijing restaurant, point at what other tables are eating. Many small restaurants have picture menus.
Shanghai
Shanghai cuisine (本帮菜) is sweeter and oilier than other Chinese cuisines, with a focus on soy sauce and sugar.
- Xiaolongbao (小笼包) — Soup dumplings. Bite a small hole, slurp the soup, then eat the dumpling. Din Tai Fung is the most foreigner-friendly chain.
- Sheng jian bao (生煎包) — Pan-fried pork buns with a crispy bottom and juicy filling. Available at street stalls.
- Hong shao rou (红烧肉) — Red-braised pork belly. Slow-cooked in soy sauce and sugar until tender.
- Shanghai hairy crab (大闸蟹) — Seasonal (October-November). Steamed crab with ginger vinegar dip.
Ordering tip: Many Shanghai restaurants have QR code ordering — scan the code on the table with WeChat or Alipay, browse the menu with photos, and order from your phone.
Chengdu
Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan cuisine and a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. The food is bold, spicy, and complex.
- Mapo tofu (麻婆豆腐) — Silken tofu in a spicy, numbing sauce with minced pork. Ask for “wei la” (mild spicy) if you are new to Sichuan heat.
- Dan dan noodles (担担面) — Noodles with minced pork, chili oil, Sichuan pepper, and preserved vegetables.
- Hotpot (火锅) — Choose a split pot (half spicy, half mild broth). Dip meats, vegetables, and tofu. The butter sauce (香油) cools the spice.
- Chuan chuan (串串) — Street-style skewers cooked in spicy broth. Count the skewers at the end to pay.
Safety tip: Start with mild Sichuan dishes and work up. Even “mild” in Chengdu can be spicy by Western standards.
Guangzhou / Shenzhen
Cantonese cuisine emphasizes freshness and natural flavors. It is the most foreigner-friendly Chinese cuisine.
- Dim sum (点心) — Small plates served in bamboo steamers. Har gow (shrimp dumplings), siu mai (pork dumplings), and char siu bao (BBQ pork buns). Morning to early afternoon only.
- Roast goose (烧鹅) — Crispy skin, tender meat. Best at specialty roast meat shops.
- Congee (粥) — Rice porridge with various toppings. Good option for an upset stomach or a light meal.
- White cut chicken (白切鸡) — Poached chicken served with ginger-scallion oil. Simple and delicious.
Ordering tip: Dim sum restaurants use trolley service — point at what you want as carts pass by. No Chinese needed.
Xi’an
Xi’an cuisine reflects the Silk Road influence with a focus on wheat, lamb, and bold flavors.
- Yang rou pao mo (羊肉泡馍) — Crumbled flatbread in lamb broth. You tear the bread yourself before the kitchen adds broth. A participatory dish.
- Biang biang noodles (biangbiang面) — Wide, hand-pulled noodles with chili oil and vegetables. The character for “biang” is one of the most complex in Chinese.
- Rou jia mo (肉夹馍) — Chinese “hamburger” — chopped braised pork in a crispy flatbread. Cheap and filling street food.
Ordering tip: Xi’an’s Muslim Quarter (回民街) has hundreds of food stalls. Follow the crowd — popular stalls have long queues.
Hangzhou / Suzhou
Jiangsu and Zhejiang cuisines are delicate, refined, and slightly sweet.
- Dongpo pork (东坡肉) — Thick, braised pork belly named after the poet Su Dongpo. Rich and melts in your mouth.
- West Lake fish in vinegar (西湖醋鱼) — Grass carp in a sweet and sour vinegar sauce. A Hangzhou signature.
- Longjing shrimp (龙井虾仁) — Stir-fried shrimp with Longjing tea leaves. Light and elegant.
- Song shu gui yu (松鼠桂鱼) — “Squirrel-shaped” mandarin fish with a sweet and sour sauce. A visual and culinary experience.
Ordering tip: Hangzhou and Suzhou restaurants tend to be more formal. Use the picture menu or QR code ordering.
How to Order Food in China
Method 1: QR Code Ordering (Most Common)
- Sit down at a restaurant.
- Look for a QR code sticker on the table.
- Scan it with WeChat or Alipay.
- A digital menu with photos and prices opens.
- Select items and submit the order.
- Pay through the app — or pay at the counter after eating.
This works at most mid-range restaurants in cities. No Chinese needed.
Method 2: Point and Order
- Point at the picture menu.
- Point at what other tables are eating.
- Use the translation app’s camera feature on the menu.
Method 3: Food Delivery (Meituan / Ele.me)
Order food to your hotel or current location:
- Open Meituan (美团) or Ele.me (饿了么) or use their H5 web versions.
- Allow location access.
- Browse by category — use the photo grid to find dishes.
- Add to cart and pay with Alipay.
- The delivery arrives at your door. The delivery person will call — have your hotel receptionist answer.
H5 links (no app download needed):
- Meituan: waimai.meituan.com
- Ele.me: ele.me
Essential Ordering Phrases
Print or save this card on your phone:
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| I want to order | 我要点菜 | wǒ yào diǎn cài |
| Not spicy, please | 不要辣 | bù yào là |
| Less spicy | 微辣 | wēi là |
| No cilantro, please | 不要香菜 | bù yào xiāng cài |
| No peanuts | 不要花生 | bù yào huā shēng |
| Less oil, please | 少油 | shǎo yóu |
| I am vegetarian | 我吃素 | wǒ chī sù |
| I am allergic to… | 我对…过敏 | wǒ duì…guò mǐn |
| How much? | 多少钱？ | duō shǎo qián? |
| Pack it to go | 打包 | dǎ bāo |
| Check, please | 买单 | mǎi dān |
| Delicious! | 好吃！ | hǎo chī! |
Food Safety and Dining Tips
- Drink bottled water — Tap water is not safe to drink. Most hotels provide bottled water. Order bottled water at restaurants (you will be charged a small fee).
- Check oil temperature — Street food should be cooked fresh and hot. Avoid food that looks like it has been sitting out.
- Watch for peanuts — Peanut oil is common in Chinese cooking. If you have a peanut allergy, show this to the server: “我对花生过敏，请用其他油” (I am allergic to peanuts, please use other oil).
- Beware of “mild” spice — In Sichuan and Hunan restaurants, “mild” is still spicy by Western standards. If you are sensitive, specify “wei wei la” (very mildly spicy) or “bu yao la” (no spicy).
- Toilet paper — Carry your own tissues. Many restaurants do not provide napkins or toilet paper.
- Tipping — Do not tip. It is not expected and may cause confusion. Our tipping guide explains in detail.
- Peak dining hours — Lunch: 11:30-13:00. Dinner: 17:30-19:30. Popular restaurants get crowded. Go early or late to avoid queues.
Street Food vs Restaurant vs Delivery
| Option | Best For | Price Range | Language Barrier | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Street food | Quick snacks, breakfast, night markets | 5-30 RMB | Low (point and pay) | Medium — choose busy stalls |
| Casual restaurant | Lunch, dinner with friends | 40-120 RMB | Low-medium (QR menu) | High |
| Food delivery | Hotel meals, late night, bad weather | 20-80 RMB | Medium (app needed) | High |
| Night market | Variety, local experience | 10-50 RMB per item | Low (point and pay) | Medium — go for popular items |
| High-end restaurant | Special occasion, business | 200+ RMB | Low (English menus common) | Very high |
Dietary Requirements
- Vegetarian (素食): Common in Buddhist tradition. Most cities have vegetarian restaurants. Search Dianping for “素食”. Show “wo chi su” at non-vegetarian restaurants — some use chicken or fish stock.
- Vegan: More limited. Chinese vegetarian cooking sometimes uses eggs and dairy. Specify “wo chi su, bu yao ji dan, bu yao nai” (I eat vegetarian, no eggs, no dairy).
- Halal: Available in cities with Muslim populations (Xi’an, Lanzhou, Beijing’s Niujie area). Look for halal restaurants marked with “清真”.
- Gluten-free: Soy sauce contains wheat. Ask for “bu yao jiang you” (no soy sauce). Rice and rice noodles are naturally gluten-free.
Budget Reference (2026)
| Meal Type | Street Food | Casual Restaurant | Mid-Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | 5-15 RMB | 15-30 RMB | 40-80 RMB |
| Lunch | 10-25 RMB | 30-60 RMB | 80-150 RMB |
| Dinner | 15-40 RMB | 50-120 RMB | 150-300 RMB |
All prices are per person. Mobile payment is accepted at virtually every restaurant in cities.
This guide was updated in July 2026. Prices and restaurant availability may vary. Always check current exchange rates and local conditions before your trip.