Chinese phrases for eating out: spice, allergies and diets
Cards for restaurants: turn the chili down or off, skip Sichuan pepper, coriander or MSG, say you don't eat pork, eat halal or vegetarian, and warn staff about a peanut or shellfish allergy. There are also cards for a picture menu, the house speciality, takeaway and the bill. Allergy cards are marked SOS, but no card can guarantee what happens in the kitchen. With a severe allergy, carry your medication.
Open these cards full screen in GoHaode →🍜 Eating out · 15 cards
请不要放辣椒。
Qǐng búyào fàng làjiāo.
No chili, please.
微辣就好。
Wēi là jiù hǎo.
Just a little spicy, please.
我对花生过敏。
Wǒ duì huāshēng guòmǐn.
I'm allergic to peanuts.
我不吃猪肉。
Wǒ bù chī zhūròu.
I don't eat pork.
我吃素，不吃肉和海鲜。
Wǒ chī sù, bù chī ròu hé hǎixiān.
I'm vegetarian: no meat or seafood.
请推荐你们的招牌菜。
Qǐng tuījiàn nǐmen de zhāopáicài.
What is your signature dish?
请帮我打包。
Qǐng bāng wǒ dǎbāo.
Please pack this to go.
买单。
Mǎidān.
The bill, please.
不要放花椒，我受不了麻味。
Búyào fàng huājiāo, wǒ shòubuliǎo máwèi.
No Sichuan pepper, please. I cannot handle numbing flavors.
Tip: Sichuan pepper causes a tingling, electric numbing sensation.
请不要放香菜。
Qǐng búyào fàng xiāngcài.
No coriander/cilantro, please.
请少油少盐，不要放味精。
Qǐng shǎo yóu shǎo yán, búyào fàng wèijīng.
Less oil and salt, and no MSG please.
请给我一杯加冰的矿泉水，谢谢！
Qǐng gěi wǒ yì bēi jiā bīng de kuàngquánshuǐ, xièxie!
Please give me a glass of water with ice, thank you!
我是穆斯林，不吃猪肉。请不要用猪油和猪骨汤。
Wǒ shì Mùsīlín, bù chī zhūròu. Qǐng búyào yòng zhūyóu hé zhūgǔtāng.
I am Muslim and don't eat pork. Please no lard or pork broth.
Tip: This does not make a dish halal. For halal food, look for 清真 (qīngzhēn) signs.
我对海鲜和虾蟹严重过敏！请不要放虾、蟹和鱼露。
Wǒ duì hǎixiān hé xiāxiè yánzhòng guòmǐn! Qǐng búyào fàng xiā, xiè hé yúlù.
Severe seafood and shellfish allergy! No shrimp, crab, or fish sauce.
How to use these cards
- Open the card in GoHaode and tap it to go full screen.
- Hand your phone to the driver, waiter or clerk. The Chinese is written for them.
- They can tap a reply card, and you read the answer in your language.
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