2049 Chinese

The 20K Word Road to
Mandarin Proficiency

Chapter 3.2: Menu Reading and Food Orders

– Basic Level –

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The Situation

From above, the table is a vibrant feast of Chinese culinary delights. The 开胃菜 (appetizers | kāiwèicài) are colorful and inviting, leading to a series of 主菜 (main dishes | zhǔcài) that showcase a blend of 传统 (traditional | chuántǒng) and 现代 (modern | xiàndài) 烹饪法 (cooking methods | pēngrèn fǎ). Each dish, from 炖 (steamed | dùn) 肉 (meat | ròu) to 烧 (braised | shāo) 鱼 (fish | yú), is a testament to the rich 风味 (flavor | fēngwèi) of Chinese cuisine.

The 配菜 (side dishes | pèicài) include a variety of 蔬菜 (vegetables | shūcài) and 面 (noodles | miàn), each offering a unique 口感 (texture | kǒugǎn). The 甜点 (desserts | tiándiǎn) and 水果 (fruits | shuǐguǒ) provide a sweet finish to the meal, while the 饮品 (drinks | yǐnpǐn) range from traditional teas to innovative beverages.

This festive scene is not just a meal; it’s a celebration of Chinese culinary artistry.


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The Sentences

开胃菜
请给我来个开胃菜。
Qǐng gěi wǒ lái gè kāiwèi cài.
An appetizer, please.
主菜
这个主菜很受欢迎。
Zhège zhǔ cài hěn shòu huānyíng.
This entree is very popular.
配菜
我要点几个配菜。
Wǒyào diǎn jǐgè pèi cài.
I’ll order a couple of sides.
甜点
甜点是餐后的享受。
Tiándiǎn shì cān hòu de xiǎngshòu.
Dessert is a treat at the end of the meal.
今天的汤很清淡。
Jīntiān de tāng hěn qīngdàn.
Today’s soup is light.
妈妈炖的鸡很好吃。
Māma dùn de jī hěn hǎochī.
Mom’s chicken stew is delicious.
我会烧几道家常菜。
Wǒ huì shāo jǐ dào jiācháng cài.
I’ll cook a few home-cooked dishes.
他喜欢吃煎鱼。
Tā xǐhuān chī jiān yú.
He likes fried fish.
炸薯条是孩子们的最爱。
Zhá shǔtiáo shì háizimen de zuì ài.
French fries are a favorite of the kids.
周末我们去烤肉。
Zhōumò wǒmen qù kǎoròu.
On weekends we go barbecuing.
晚上我们吃米饭。
Wǎnshàng wǒmen chī mǐfàn.
In the evening we eat rice.
我想吃拉面。
Wǒ xiǎng chī lāmiàn.
I want to eat ramen.
面包
早上我通常吃面包。
Zǎoshang wǒ tōngcháng chī miànbāo.
In the morning I usually eat bread.
这个菜肉很多。
Zhège cài ròu hěnduō.
This dish has a lot of meat.
这条鱼非常新鲜。
Zhè tiáo yú fēicháng xīnxiān.
This fish is very fresh.
蔬菜
蔬菜对健康很重要。
Shūcài duì jiànkāng hěn zhòngyào.
Vegetables are important for health.
水果
吃完饭后来点水果。
Chīwánfàn hòu lái diǎn shuǐguǒ.
Have some fruit after dinner.
点心
中午的点心很美味。
Zhōngwǔ de diǎnxīn hěn měiwèi.
The snacks for lunch are delicious.
冷盘
我们先来几个冷盘。
Wǒmen xiān lái jǐgè lěngpán.
Let’s start with some cold dishes.
热菜
热菜马上就好。
Rè cài mǎshàng jiù hǎo.
The hot dishes will be ready soon.
甜品
我对甜品无法抗拒。
Wǒ duì tiánpǐn wúfǎ kàngjù.
I can’t resist dessert.
饮品
你想喝什么饮品?
Nǐ xiǎng hē shénme yǐnpǐn?
What kind of drink would you like?
这份菜量刚好。
Zhè fèn cài liàng gānghǎo.
This is just the right amount.

 

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The Words

开胃菜
kāiwèi cài
appetizer
主菜
zhǔ cài
main course
配菜
pèi cài
side dish
甜点
tiándiǎn
dessert
tāng
soup
dùn
to stew
shāo
to braise
jiān
to fry
zhá
to deep fry
kǎo
to roast
fàn
rice
miàn
noodles
面包
miànbāo
bread
ròu
meat
fish
蔬菜
shūcài
vegetables
水果
shuǐguǒ
fruit
点心
diǎnxīn
dim sum
冷盘
lěngpán
cold dish
热菜
rè cài
hot dish
甜品
tiánpǐn
sweet dish
饮品
yǐnpǐn
drink
fèn
portion

 

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