2049 Chinese

The 20K Word Road to
Mandarin Proficiency

Chapter 3.2: Menu Reading and Food Orders

– Intermediate Level –

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The Situation

In a 北京 (Beijing) restaurant, a foreign visitor scans the menu, intrigued by the variety of dishes. She asks the waiter about the 调味 (seasoning | tiáowèi) techniques and 风味 (flavor | fēngwèi) profiles of different dishes, eager to try something 特色 (special | tèsè) and 创新 (innovative | chuàngxīn).

Curious about the dishes' origins, she inquires about the 原材料 (ingredients | yuáncáiliào) and 烹饪法 (cooking methods | pēngrèn fǎ). She is tempted by the description of 鲜美 (delicious | xiānměi) dishes that are both 营养 (nutritious | yíngyǎng) and 健康 (healthy | jiànkāng). She and her husband are interested in both 传统 (traditional | chuántǒng) recipes and 现代 (modern | xiàndài) culinary interpretations, as well as dishes that highlight 地方特色 (local specialties | dìfāng tèsè).

The waiter suggests several 人气 (popular | rénqì) items, describing their 口感 (texture | kǒugǎn) and 香 (aromatic | xiāng) nature. They discuss different flavor profiles such as 酸辣 (sour and spicy | suānlà) and 甜蜜 (sweet | tiánmì). For a more homey feel, the young couple considers 家常 (homestyle | jiācháng) dishes, but the 精致 (exquisite | jīngzhì) options and 异国风味 (exotic flavors | yìguó fēngwèi) also catch their eye.

Intrigued by the concept of 私房菜 (signature dishes | sīfáng cài), they are curious about the 创意 (creativity | chuàngyì) and 配方 (recipes | pèifāng) behind these unique offerings.


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The Sentences

调味
这道菜调味恰到好处。
Zhè dào cài tiáowèi qiàdàohǎochù.
It’s seasoned just right.
风味
这个风味非常独特。
Zhège fēngwèi fēicháng dútè.
This flavor is very unique.
特色
这是我们的特色菜。
Zhè shì wǒmen de tèsè cài.
It’s our specialty.
创新
我们鼓励菜品创新。
Wǒmen gǔlì càipǐn chuàngxīn.
We encourage innovation.
原材料
所有菜都选用新鲜原材料。
Suǒyǒu cài dōu xuǎnyòng xīnxiān yuáncáiliào.
All dishes are made with fresh ingredients.
烹饪法
各种烹饪法烹调美食。
Gè zhǒng pēngrèn fǎ pēngtiáo měishí.
We use a variety of cooking methods.
鲜美
这个鱼汤很鲜美。
Zhège yú tāng hěn xiānměi.
This fish soup is delicious.
营养
这个菜又好吃又营养。
Zhège cài yòu hǎochī yòu yíngyǎng.
This dish is delicious and nutritious.
健康
健康饮食很重要。
Jiànkāng yǐnshí hěn zhòngyào.
Healthy eating is important.
传统
这是传统的做法。
Zhè shì chuántǒng de zuòfǎ.
This is the traditional way.
现代
结合现代烹饪技术。
Jiéhé xiàndài pēngrèn jìshù.
Combined with modern cooking techniques.
地方特色
这个地方特色菜很受欢迎。
Zhège dìfāng tèsè cài hěn shòu huānyíng.
This local specialty is very popular.
人气
这个菜非常有人气。
Zhège cài fēicháng yǒu rénqì.
This dish is very popular.
口感
这道菜口感非常好。
Zhè dào cài kǒugǎn fēicháng hǎo.
This dish has a very good taste.
这个香味真吸引人。
Zhège xiāngwèi zhēn xīyǐn rén.
This flavor is really attractive.
酸辣
我喜欢酸辣味的菜。
Wǒ xǐhuān suān là wèi de cài.
I like sour and spicy dishes.
甜蜜
这个甜点叫人想起甜蜜。
Zhège tiándiǎn jiào rén xiǎngqǐ tiánmì.
This dessert calls to mind sweetness.
家常
家常菜更有家的味道。
Jiācháng cài gèng yǒu jiā de wèidào.
Home cooking has more of a homey flavor.
精致
这个菜看起来很精致。
Zhège cài kàn qǐlái hěn jīngzhì.
This dish looks exquisite.
异国风味
她喜欢尝试异国风味。
Tā xǐhuān chángshì yìguó fēngwèi.
She loves trying exotic flavors.
私房菜
这家餐厅有好吃的私房菜。
Zhè jiā cāntīng yǒu hǎochī de sīfáng cài.
This restaurant has delicious private dining.
创意
这道菜的创意无限。
Zhè dào cài de chuàngyì wúxiàn.
The creativity of this dish is limitless.
配方
这个配方是秘密。
Zhège pèifāng shì mìmì.
This recipe is secret.

 

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The Words

调味
tiáowèi
to season
风味
fēngwèi
flavor
特色
tèsè
specialty
创新
chuàngxīn
innovation
原材料
yuáncáiliào
raw material
烹饪法
pēngrèn fǎ
cooking method
鲜美
xiānměi
delicious
营养
yíngyǎng
nutrition
健康
jiànkāng
healthy
传统
chuántǒng
traditional
现代
xiàndài
modern
地方特色
dìfāng tèsè
local specialty
人气
rénqì
popularity
口感
kǒugǎn
texture
xiāng
fragrant
酸辣
suān là
hot and sour
甜蜜
tiánmì
sweet
家常
jiācháng
homestyle
精致
jīngzhì
exquisite
异国风味
yìguó fēngwèi
exotic flavor
私房菜
sīfáng cài
private kitchen cuisine
创意
chuàngyì
creative
配方
pèifāng
recipe

 

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