Chinese food is a big reason why many of us are learning Chinese. Whether you’re travelling around China and you want to order Chinese food like a local or you just want to raise a smile by ordering Chinese food at your local Chinese restaurant, it’s fun to learn some of the names of Chinese dishes in Mandarin.
Here I’ve chosen 10 of my favourites, and also some of the most popular dishes you’ll find all around the world.
Here are some phrases you can use to order them:
我要一个。。 wǒ yào yī gè I want a…
来一个。。 lái yī gè bring a…
要一份。。 yào yī fèn (I) want a portion of…
来一份。。 lái yī fèn bring a portion of….
Then add the name of the dish on the end. And don’t worry, it isn’t rude in a restaurant to just say you want something directly like this. Next time you’re in a restaurant, give it a try. Even if the dish isn’t on the menu, they might just make it for you!
Ok, here’s my list, complete with some photos to get you in the mood!
1. 宫保鸡丁 gōngbǎo jīdīng Kung Pao Chicken
A staple in Chinese restaurants throughout the world. Cubes of chicken complete with vegetables and peanuts in a tangy sauce. And it tastes even better in China.
2. 水煮鱼 shuǐzhǔyú Fish Boiled in a Chilli Soup
Even though this is technically just a pot of oil with fish and spices in, I think it is the mix of spices that makes it taste so good. Remember to drain off as much of the oil as you can when you eat the tender pieces of fish..
3. 干煸四季豆 gānbiānsìjìdòu Dry Fried French Beans With Minced Pork
Beans in a spicy style with little tangy pieces of meat. Simple but delicious.
4. 鱼香肉丝 yúxiāngròusī Fish Fragrance Pork
This dish comes from Sichuan province, but is one of few foods from the region that is not supposed to be (very) spicy. It is made with strips of pork, pepper, bamboo shoots, edible fungus and a mix of seasonings that I have tried and failed to recreate.
5. 红烧肉 hóngshāoròu Braised Pork
This one has pieces of pork braised in a soy sauce with other spices including star anise, and even though the fat is left on the meat, it has a tender and juicy taste. It’s not what you would expect!
6. 地三鲜 dìsānxiān Fried Potato, Green Pepper and Eggplant
When you want a vegetable dish, you can’t go wrong with this one. Green pepper, potato and aubergine fried together. It’s like a match made in heaven. Just a little sauce is enough to give it a lot of flavour.
7. 葱爆羊肉 cōng bào yángròu Flash-fried lamb slices with scallions
The lamb and the onion taste go great together. A great addition to any banquet.
8. 西红柿炒鸡蛋 xīhóngshì chǎojīdàn Stir-fried Tomato and Egg
You add some spring onions, then scramble eggs without chopping them up too much then add chopped tomatoes, a bit of salt and pepper and fry it all up together. Even students and people with no real cooking ability can make this one, and when you eat it in a restaurant, you get the feeling of eating home-cooked food.
9. 麻婆豆腐 mápódòufǔ Ma Po Tofu
Tofu with spring onions and a spicy (oily) sauce, but for a vegetarian dish, boy does it taste good.
10. 糖醋里脊 tángcùlǐji Sweet and Sour Pork.
Also known as 古老肉 gǔlǎo ròu in Hong Kong and parts of south China.
You’ve probably had this one before, so there’s no need for me to explain it, just order and enjoy…
So that’s my list. What would you put on your top ten? Let me know in the comments!
The post How to Order Food in Chinese – 10 Top Dishes appeared first on Fluent in Mandarin.com.