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Practical Guides for Eating in China

Short, practical reads on Chinese menus, allergens, and ordering — written for travelers and kept current.

Food allergies · Featured

Traveling to China With Food Allergies: A Practical Guide

Food allergies in China: what to prepare before you fly, why dish names aren't enough, and how to talk to restaurant staff about hidden allergens.

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Eating in ChinaHow to Order Food in China Without Speaking ChineseEat in China without speaking Chinese. What to expect at the door, how menus and QR ordering work, and simple ways to order the right dishes.Understanding Chinese MenusHow Chinese QR-Code Restaurant Menus WorkChinese restaurants often use scan-to-order QR menus. Here's what the code connects to, how to use it, and what to do when it's all in Chinese.Understanding Chinese MenusChinese Dish Names That Don't Mean What You ThinkWhy "fish-fragrant pork" isn't actually a fish dish, and "saliva chicken" isn't what it sounds like. Chinese dish names often describe flavor, not contents.Dietary NeedsVegetarian in China: A Practical GuideVegetarian in China is trickier than it looks. Broth, lard, oyster sauce, and meat garnishes may not be obvious from a dish name. A practical guide.

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Quick answers

Is Chinese Food Gluten-Free?Some Chinese dishes can start with gluten-free ingredients, but soy sauce, wheat noodles, wrappers, sauces, batter and restaurant preparation can add gluten. Learn what to check before ordering.How to Say “Vegetarian” in ChineseLearn how to say “I’m vegetarian” in Chinese and what to ask restaurant staff about meat broth, lard, oyster sauce, and other hidden animal ingredients.