How to Order Food, Handle Allergies & Menus
Order food comfortably via QR code tables, communicate dietary restrictions, and avoid surprise ingredients.
Scan table QR codes via WeChat/Alipay for digital photo menus, and show our bilingual allergy cards to the server before the kitchen begins cooking.
Pre-Flight Checklist
- ✓ Scan WeChat/Alipay table QR code for photo menus
- ✓ Show dietary cards (peanut allergy, vegetarian, no pork)
- ✓ Understand spicy levels (微辣 mild vs 特辣 extra spicy)
- ✓ 100% Zero-Tipping: what you see on the bill is what you pay
Step-by-Step Execution Plan
Scan Table QR Code
Open WeChat or Alipay camera, scan the desktop QR code to open digital menu.
Show Dietary Restrictions
Show our bilingual allergy card to staff before kitchen prepares order.
Confirm Order & Pay
Submit order directly in menu app or pay at cashier desk after meal.
Request Receipt
Ask for "Fapiao" (收据/发票) if needed for business expense.
China Dining Survival: 3 Golden Rules Foreign Visitors Must Know
Dining in China is remarkably safe and delicious, but the digital tabletop workflow and cultural norms can catch first-timers off guard.
Tipping does not exist in China. Never leave cash on the table or add extra money; servers will run after you into the street to return your forgotten money.
Most casual eateries have no paper menus. You scan the square QR code pasted on your tabletop with WeChat or Alipay to view photo menus and order.
Tap water in China is not potable. Restaurants offer complimentary hot boiled water or tea. Always ask for bottled water (瓶装水) if you prefer cold water.
How Table QR Code Ordering Works (and What to Do If It Fails)
Severe Allergy & Dietary Shield: Show These Cards Directly to the Chef
Kitchen staff in China take medical allergy warnings very seriously when presented with unambiguous Chinese text. Show these cards before the wok is fired.
Top 10 Classic & Safe Dishes You Can Order Anywhere
Universally available across all Chinese cities. Tap “Speak & Show” to present directly to your server.
The undisputed national comfort dish of China. Universally loved, zero chili, perfect over white steamed rice.
Tender diced chicken thighs with cucumber and peanuts. Ask for "不辣 (Bù là)" if sensitive to Sichuan pepper.
Classic wok-tossed jasmine rice with fluffy egg ribbons, scallions, carrots, and peas. Zero spice.
Handmade Chinese dumplings served hot. Dipped in aged vinegar (香醋) or soy sauce. Never spicy unless you add chili oil.
Halal certified, fresh stretched noodles in rich beef broth with daikon slices. Always say "不放辣油 (No chili oil)".
Flash-fried in a wok with garlic and a pinch of salt. The cleanest, healthiest vegetable dish on any Chinese menu.
Despite the name "Fish Fragrant", it contains zero fish! It is a delicious sweet, tangy, and savory pork dish.
Eat with a soup spoon: nibble a small hole in the side, sip the hot broth, then eat the dumpling with ginger vinegar.
Simple Shanghai staple. Thin noodles tossed in hot aromatic scallion-infused oil and sweet soy sauce.
The purest comfort meal. Wok-tossed rice with fresh eggs, scallions, and salt. Every restaurant can make this on request.
Getting the Bill & Paying: “Mǎidān” (买单)
When finished dining, simply wave slightly to a server and say “Mǎidān” (买单) or show these cards:
Common First-Time Mistakes to Avoid
- ⚠️ Leaving tips on tables or counters (confuses servers and they will return the money).
- ⚠️ Assuming "not spicy" (不辣) means no chili in authentic Sichuan/Hunan spots.
- ⚠️ Expecting physical paper menus in casual local eateries.
Backup Plan if Something Fails
- ↳ Show the "No Spicy / No Pork / Peanut Allergy" full-screen card directly to staff.
- ↳ Ask the server to point out non-spicy dishes on the physical or digital menu.
- ↳ If ordering fails, choose dining outlets with physical display cases or photo-based menus.
Dining Frequently Asked Questions
Is tipping expected in Chinese restaurants?
Absolutely not. Tipping does not exist in mainland China. The bill total shown on your QR ordering screen or receipt is 100% all-inclusive. Never feel obligated to add tips — servers do not accept them.
How do I scan table QR codes to order food?
Open the camera scan tool inside WeChat or Alipay, point at the table QR sticker to load the digital photo menu, select your dishes, and pay directly.
How do I communicate severe food allergies (peanuts, shellfish, gluten)?
Show our full-screen bilingual allergy cards directly to the server before they place the order with the kitchen, ensuring cross-contamination is explicitly avoided.
Official Sources & Verified Rules
Travel rules and payment integrations are checked against official regulations. Re-verify the primary authorities below:
Spot a rule or interface change?
Help other travelers by reporting changes. We review and update within 24 hours.