You don’t need a word of Mandarin to eat brilliantly in China. Between apps, pictures, and a few tricks, ordering is easy almost everywhere. Here’s how.

Tools that do the heavy lifting

• Translation apps. Google Translate (needs your VPN) and the translate features inside Alipay/WeChat can read a menu through your camera in real time. Download the offline Chinese pack as backup.
• Pleco. A free Chinese dictionary with a camera tool — point it at a dish name and get the translation, even offline.
• Photo menus. Many restaurants have picture menus; just point at what looks good.

Ordering by QR code

In a growing number of restaurants, you scan a QR code at the table to open the menu in Alipay or WeChat, order, and pay — all on your phone. Use the in-app translate, tap your dishes, and your food arrives. No conversation needed.

Low-tech tricks that always work

• Point at other tables. See something great? Smile and point — it’s understood everywhere.
• Show a photo. Save pictures of dishes you want to try and show the staff.
• Use the display. Street stalls and casual spots often show the actual food or plastic models — just indicate what you want.
• Hold up fingers for quantities.

Handy phrases (with rough pronunciation)

• Hello — nǐ hǎo (nee-how)
• Thank you — xiè xie (shyeh-shyeh)
• This one, please — zhège (jur-guh) + point
• Not spicy — bù là (boo lah)
• Delicious! — hǎo chī (how-chir)
• The bill / pay — mǎi dān (my-dahn)

Tips

• Dishes are shared — order a few for the table rather than one each.
• Tap water isn’t served; ask for tea (chá) or buy bottled water.
• Watch the spice — say bù là if you’re unsure, as “a little spicy” can still be fierce.
• Tipping isn’t expected, so mǎi dān and your phone payment is all you need to settle up.

Relax, point, and be adventurous — some of your best meals will be ones you couldn’t pronounce.