By Jing (based in China) + Kai | Last verified: March 2026
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1. How does QR code ordering work?
95% of restaurants in China use QR code ordering as of 2026. Here's the step-by-step:
Scan the QR code on your table using WeChat or Alipay
Select your language (some tourist restaurants have English; most don't — use a translation app)
Browse the menu (主食 = staple food, 荤菜 = meat dishes, 素菜 = vegetable dishes, 饮品 = drinks)
Tap to add items and adjust quantities
Confirm your order and double-check the table number
Pay via WeChat/Alipay, or select "pay after meal"
Add more items by re-scanning the QR code anytime during your meal
If you don't have WeChat/Alipay, ask the waiter for a paper menu — almost all restaurants have one.
2. What if I can't read the menu?
Camera translation: Use Google Translate (download offline Chinese pack before your trip) or Apple Translate's camera mode to scan the menu in real time
Point and order: Look at tables around you, point to what others are eating, hold up 1 finger for 1 serving
Photo reference: Save photos of dishes you want to try on your phone and show them to the waiter
Tourist restaurants: Beijing Wangfujing, Shanghai Bund, Xi'an Muslim Quarter — many have picture menus or English translations
3. How to communicate food allergies
Save these pre-written cards to your phone or print them out:
Allergy
Show this to the waiter
Nut allergy
我对坚果过敏，不要放任何坚果、花生或者坚果酱。
Shellfish allergy
我对海鲜过敏，不要放任何虾、蟹、贝类或者海鲜调料。
Gluten allergy
我对麉质过敏，不要放小麦、面条、酱油、饺子或者任何面粉做的食物。
Dairy allergy
我对乳制品过敏，不要放牛奶、奶酪、黄油或者奶油。
Vegetarian
我是素食主义者，不吃任何肉、鱼、海鲜，只吃蔬菜、米饭和面条。
Halal
我只吃清真食品，不要放猪肉、猪油或者非清真的肉。
Wait for the waiter to confirm they understand (“好的” = okay) before ordering.
Local family restaurants: Generally very safe — fresh food daily, repeat local customers keep them accountable
Street food: Safe if the stall has lots of local people lining up. Avoid empty/unclean stalls.
What to avoid: Tap water (drink bottled only), ice from small street stalls, raw vegetables at very cheap restaurants
Tip: Stick to cooked food served hot for the first few days. Bring over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medication just in case as your gut adjusts.
5. How to order food delivery (Meituan/Ele.me)
Meituan and Ele.me deliver almost anything in 30 minutes for very low prices (¥20–50 / $2.78–$6.94 per meal). Workarounds if you don't read Chinese:
Trip.com or Traveloka: English-language food delivery that uses Meituan's backend
WeChat mini-programs: Some international-friendly programs have translated menus
Ask your hotel front desk: Most will help you order
6. Tipping culture
China has no tipping culture. Do not tip waiters, taxi drivers, hotel staff, or delivery workers. Tipping can cause confusion or embarrassment — most people will refuse. Service is included in all prices.
7. Restaurant etiquette
Sharing dishes: Chinese meals are always shared from the middle. Order 1 dish per person plus 1 staple (rice/noodles).
Lazy Susan: Spin so the dish is in front of you. Don't spin while someone is taking food.
Chopstick rules: Never stick chopsticks upright in rice (resembles funeral incense). Rest on the holder.
Tea etiquette: Tap index and middle finger on the table twice to say thank you when someone pours tea.
Paying the bill: One person usually pays for the whole table. To split, send your share via WeChat transfer after the meal.
8. Budget: how much does food cost?
Type
Price (CNY)
Price (USD)
Examples
Street food
¥10–30
$1.39–$4.17
Jianbing, roujiamo, dumplings, grilled skewers
Local casual
¥30–80
$4.17–$11.11
Noodle shops, stir fry, dumpling houses
Mid-range
¥100–300
$13.89–$41.67
Hot pot, dim sum, seafood
Western food
¥35–200
$4.86–$27.78
Big Mac meal ¥35, Starbucks latte ¥32
High-end
¥300+
$41.67+
Fine dining, Michelin-starred
Drinks: bottled water ¥2, local beer ¥8, soda ¥5.
9. Where to find food you recognize
Fast food chains: McDonald's, KFC, Burger King, Starbucks, Pizza Hut, Subway in every major city. Try KFC's egg tarts and spicy chicken burger!
Imported grocery stores: Ole, Freshippo, Carrefour — cheese, bread, cereal, snacks from Western countries
Western restaurants: Search "Western food [city]" on Xiaohongshu or Amap