Food & Toilets in China

Chinese food

Food is one of the best parts of visiting China.

Before you arrive, you should know that Chinese food isn’t just one cuisine—and it’s definitely not Panda Express. China is so large that every region has its own specialties, cooking styles, and flavors.

That variety is one of the most exciting parts of the trip. But when you don’t recognize half the dishes on the menu, it can also feel a little intimidating. When you visit a new city, look up the local specialties first. For example:

Beijing: Peking duck

Xi’an: Roujiamo

Chengdu: Hot Pot

Shanghai: Soup dumpings

Finding a restaurant

You can use AMap to find restaurants nearby and check their ratings and reviews.

See my list of recommended apps here.

Ordering food

One thing I love about restaurants in China is that menus usually have pictures. This is actually one of my biggest complaints when I travel abroad—why are there no pictures?

QR-code ordering is super common in China. You can simply scan the QR code on the table, look through the pictures, choose whatever looks good, and place your order directly on your phone.

If you’re ordering from a paper menu, simply point at a dish and say:

I’ll have this.
Wǒ yào zhège.
我要这个。

Food allergies and dietary restrictions

If you have allergies or other dietary restrictions, prepare a written note in Chinese before your trip. Save it clearly on your phone so you can show it to the restaurant staff.

These phrases can literally save your life:

I’m allergic to ___.
Wǒ duì ___ guòmǐn.
我对 ___ 过敏。
I can’t eat ___.
Wǒ bù néng chī ___.
我不能吃 ___。
Is this vegetarian?
Zhè shì sù de ma?
这是素的吗？

Replace the blank with the ingredient you need to avoid:

Peanuts — huāshēng — 花生
Nuts — jiānguǒ — 坚果
Milk — niúnǎi — 牛奶
Eggs — jīdàn — 鸡蛋
Seafood — hǎixiān — 海鲜

Asking for recommendations

When you don’t know what to order, ask:

What do you recommend?
Nǐ yǒu shénme tuījiàn ma?
你有什么推荐吗？
What are the specialties here?
Zhèlǐ de tèsè cài shì shénme?
这里的特色菜是什么？

Getting the waiter’s attention

In China, it’s perfectly normal to call out:

Waiter! — Fúwùyuán — 服务员

This isn’t considered rude. If you sit quietly and wait for someone to check on you, the staff may not realize that you need help.

When you want something familiar

You don’t have to be adventurous at every meal. Major Chinese cities also have pizza, burgers, pasta, bakeries, and all kinds of international restaurants. When you need a break from Chinese food, you can always find something familiar.

I lead small-group China tours for travelers who want more than just sightseeing. Food, language, culture, and everyday life are all part of the experience.

When you travel with us, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all included, and we carefully choose restaurants so you can try local dishes and the specialties of every city we visit—without having to worry about what to order or whether you’re missing out on the best dishes.

View Our China Tour →

Toilets in China

Now, let’s talk about something everyone is secretly wondering about: Does China only have squat toilets? Can you travel to China if you don’t know how to squat?

Don't worry - the toilet situation may be different from what you’re used to, but once you know what to expect and come prepared, it’s not a big problem.

China has both squat toilets and seated toilets. You’ll often see signs on the stall doors showing which type is inside:

You can usually find seated toilets in airports, train stations, hotels, shopping malls, major tourist attractions, and people’s homes.

Squat toilets are still common in public restrooms, especially in older facilities and less touristy areas, so knowing how to use one is definitely helpful.

If you want to make sure there’s a seated toilet, head to a hotel or shopping mall.

Toilet tips:

Always carry tissues and hand sanitizer because toilet paper and soap are not guaranteed.

On our China tours, our experienced guides know where to find seated toilets along the route and plan bathroom breaks accordingly, so you don’t have to worry about finding one when you need it.

View Our China Tour →