How to Read a Chinese Menu: Appetizers, Main Courses, Desserts, and Drinks
Learn to identify the four main sections of a Chinese menu: appetizers (凉菜), main courses (主菜), desserts (甜点), and drinks (饮料). Build vocabulary and understand menu structure.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When you sit down at a Chinese restaurant, the menu is often organized into clear sections. Knowing the words for these sections helps you navigate any menu, even if you don't know every dish. This lesson teaches you to recognize appetizers, main courses, desserts, and drinks in Chinese. You'll learn key terms and patterns to ask about or point to items in each category. By the end, you can confidently find what you want and understand how a Chinese meal is structured.
By the end, you can…
- name the four main menu sections in Chinese.
- ask where a specific type of dish is on the menu.
- identify common items in each section.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
凉菜
appetizers (cold dishes)
liáng cài
Literally 'cold dishes'. These are served before the main meal, often as starters. Look for this section at the top of the menu.
主菜
main courses
zhǔ cài
The main dishes, usually meat, fish, or tofu with vegetables. This is the core of the meal.
甜点
desserts
tián diǎn
Sweet dishes served after the main course. In Chinese restaurants, desserts may be limited to fruit or sweet soups.
饮料
drinks
yǐn liào
Beverages, including tea, soda, juice, and alcohol. Often listed at the end of the menu.
菜单
menu
cài dān
The menu itself. Use this to ask for the menu or refer to it.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To ask where a section is on the menu, use the pattern '...在哪儿？' (zài nǎr?) meaning 'Where is ...?' For example: 凉菜在哪儿？ (Liáng cài zài nǎr?) 'Where are the appetizers?' You can replace 凉菜 with any section: 主菜在哪儿？ (Zhǔ cài zài nǎr?) 'Where are the main courses?' 甜点在哪儿？ (Tián diǎn zài nǎr?) 'Where are the desserts?' 饮料在哪儿？ (Yǐn liào zài nǎr?) 'Where are the drinks?' This pattern helps you locate items quickly.
When to use it
Use these section words when you first receive the menu. If you are unfamiliar with the layout, ask the server: 凉菜在哪儿？ They will point to the section. When ordering, you can say: 我要一个凉菜。 (Wǒ yào yí gè liáng cài.) 'I want one appetizer.' Then for main: 我要一个主菜。 (Wǒ yào yí gè zhǔ cài.) 'I want one main course.' For dessert: 我要一个甜点。 (Wǒ yào yí gè tián diǎn.) 'I want one dessert.' For drinks: 我要一杯饮料。 (Wǒ yào yì bēi yǐn liào.) 'I want a drink.' Note: use 个 (gè) for dishes, 杯 (bēi) for drinks.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
服务员，菜单在哪儿？
Waiter, where is the menu?Fú wù yuán, cài dān zài nǎr?在这儿。这是菜单。
Here it is. This is the menu.Zài zhèr. Zhè shì cài dān.凉菜在哪儿？
Where are the appetizers?Liáng cài zài nǎr?凉菜在第一页。主菜在第二页。甜点和饮料在第三页。
Appetizers are on the first page. Main courses are on the second page. Desserts and drinks are on the third page.Liáng cài zài dì yī yè. Zhǔ cài zài dì èr yè. Tián diǎn hé yǐn liào zài dì sān yè.A little context goes a long way
In Chinese restaurants, appetizers (凉菜) are often served cold and may come before the main dishes. They are meant to be shared. Main courses are usually placed in the center of the table for everyone to share. Desserts are not always a separate course; sometimes fresh fruit is served at the end. Drinks may be ordered throughout the meal. The structure of the menu reflects this communal style, so sections may be organized by cooking method or main ingredient rather than strict courses.
One thing to watch for
Assuming 'appetizer' translates directly to 开胃菜 (kāi wèi cài).
Try this instead: While 开胃菜 means 'appetizer' literally, in Chinese menus the common term is 凉菜 (liáng cài) for cold dishes. For example, say 我要一个凉菜, not 我要一个开胃菜, which sounds unnatural. Use 凉菜 to refer to the appetizer section.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'Where are the main courses?' in Chinese?
Show a sample answer
主菜在哪儿？
This uses the pattern '...在哪儿？' with 主菜 (main courses). You can also ask 主菜在哪里？ (Zhǔ cài zài nǎ lǐ?) which is slightly more formal.
2What is the Chinese word for 'desserts'?
Show a sample answer
甜点
甜点 (tián diǎn) is the standard term. In some regions, you might hear 甜品 (tián pǐn), which is also correct.
3If you want to order a drink, what measure word do you use?
Show a sample answer
杯 (bēi)
Use 杯 for drinks, as in 一杯饮料 (yì bēi yǐn liào) 'a drink'. For bottles, use 瓶 (píng).
Remember the four key menu sections: 凉菜 (appetizers), 主菜 (main courses), 甜点 (desserts), and 饮料 (drinks). Use the pattern '...在哪儿？' to ask where they are. This will help you navigate any Chinese menu with confidence.
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