Chinese for Ordering a Full Meal: Appetizer, Main, and Dessert
Learn to order a complete Chinese meal in sequence. Master quantity phrases, ask staff for recommendations, and handle multiple courses with confidence.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When you sit down at a Chinese restaurant, you are not just ordering one dish. A full meal typically includes an appetizer, a main course, and possibly a dessert. This lesson teaches you the exact phrases to order each course in sequence, ask about portion sizes, and interact politely with staff. You will learn how to use quantity words like 一份 (yí fèn) and 两碗 (liǎng wǎn), and how to ask for recommendations without assuming what is available. By the end, you will be able to navigate a Chinese menu and order a complete meal from start to finish.
By the end, you can…
- order an appetizer, a main dish, and a dessert in sequence using appropriate quantity phrases.
- ask a server for recommendations and clarify portion sizes or ingredients.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
先来一份凉菜。
First, let's have an appetizer.
Xiān lái yí fèn liángcài.
Use 先 (xiān) to indicate the first course. 凉菜 (liángcài) refers to cold appetizers, common at the start of a Chinese meal.
主菜要一个宫保鸡丁。
For the main course, I'll have one Kung Pao chicken.
Zhǔcài yào yí ge Gōngbǎo jīdīng.
主菜 (zhǔcài) means main dish. 要 (yào) is a straightforward way to say 'I'll have' or 'I want' when ordering.
这个菜辣不辣？
Is this dish spicy?
Zhège cài là bu là?
Use the A-not-A pattern (辣不辣) to ask yes/no questions about qualities. This is polite and common.
你们有什么推荐的？
What do you recommend?
Nǐmen yǒu shénme tuījiàn de?
A polite way to ask for suggestions. 你们 (nǐmen) addresses the staff collectively.
甜点要一个芒果布丁。
For dessert, I'll have one mango pudding.
Tiándiǎn yào yí ge mángguǒ bùdīng.
甜点 (tiándiǎn) means dessert. Use 要 (yào) again to order the final course.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To order multiple courses in sequence, use the pattern: Course + 要/来 + Quantity + Dish. For example, 先来一份凉菜 (First, an appetizer), 主菜要一个宫保鸡丁 (For the main, one Kung Pao chicken), 甜点要一个芒果布丁 (For dessert, one mango pudding). The verb 来 (lái) is often used for the first item, while 要 (yào) works for any course. Quantity phrases like 一份 (yí fèn) for portions, 一个 (yí ge) for individual items, and 两碗 (liǎng wǎn) for bowls are essential. Always match the measure word to the dish: 份 for shareable plates, 个 for items like buns or desserts, 碗 for soups or rice.
When to use it
Use these phrases when you are ready to order a full meal. Start with 先来 (xiān lái) to signal the first course. If you are unsure, ask 你们有什么推荐的？ (What do you recommend?) before ordering. When asking about spiciness or ingredients, use the A-not-A pattern: 辣不辣？ (spicy or not?), 有没有花生？ (does it have peanuts?). For desserts, you can ask 有什么甜点？ (What desserts are there?) and then order with 要一个... (I'll have one...). Remember that in many Chinese restaurants, dessert may not be a standard course, so asking first is polite.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
服务员，先来一份凉菜。
Waiter, first an appetizer.Fúwùyuán, xiān lái yí fèn liángcài.好的，您要什么凉菜？
Okay, what appetizer would you like?Hǎo de, nín yào shénme liángcài?拍黄瓜。主菜要一个宫保鸡丁。
Smashed cucumber. For the main, one Kung Pao chicken.Pāi huángguā. Zhǔcài yào yí ge Gōngbǎo jīdīng.宫保鸡丁有点辣，可以吗？甜点要什么？
Kung Pao chicken is a bit spicy, is that okay? What about dessert?Gōngbǎo jīdīng yǒudiǎn là, kěyǐ ma? Tiándiǎn yào shénme?A little context goes a long way
In Chinese restaurants, dishes are typically shared, so ordering multiple courses is common. Appetizers like 凉菜 are often served cold and eaten before hot dishes. Dessert is not always a separate course; sometimes fruit is served at the end. When speaking to staff, using 您 (nín) for 'you' shows respect, while 你 (nǐ) is more casual. Tipping is not customary in mainland China, but service charges may apply in some establishments.
One thing to watch for
Using 一个 (yí ge) for all dishes, such as saying 一个汤 (yí ge tāng) for soup.
Try this instead: Use the correct measure word: 碗 (wǎn) for soup, so 一碗汤 (yì wǎn tāng). For shareable dishes, use 份 (fèn): 一份炒饭 (yí fèn chǎofàn).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you order a bowl of soup as an appetizer?
Show a sample answer
先来一碗汤。
This uses 先来 (first, bring) and the correct measure word 碗 for soup. You could also say 先要一碗汤, which is equally correct.
2Ask the server if the mapo tofu is spicy.
Show a sample answer
麻婆豆腐辣不辣？
This uses the A-not-A pattern 辣不辣 to ask about spiciness. Alternatively, you could ask 麻婆豆腐辣吗？, which is also correct.
3Order a mango pudding for dessert.
Show a sample answer
甜点要一个芒果布丁。
This uses 甜点 for dessert and 要一个 for ordering one item. You could also say 我要一个芒果布丁 as a dessert, which is fine.
Ordering a full Chinese meal is easy with the pattern: 先来一份凉菜, 主菜要一个..., 甜点要一个.... Use the right measure words and don't hesitate to ask for recommendations.
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