Q.
How much does it cost?
A. While it is possible to spend a lot of money on food in Beijing, it is also possible to eat, and eat well, for very little. A typical dinner for two at a relatively upscale Chinese restaurant costs 80 to 140RMB ($10-$18USD), but prices can go much lower with little to no drop in quality.
Q.
How do you order your food?
A. Most restaurants will automatically bring you an English picture menu when you sit down. If they do not have one available, you may have to resort to pointing out items that you see on other customer's tables. Many restaurants will also display pictures of their foods on the walls of the restaurant.
Q.
How do you know which restaurant is a good one?
A. The best sign of a quality restaurant that is reasonably priced, is by the number of people eating inside. If the restaurant is empty, that is probably for a good reason. If there is a line waiting to get inside, it is probably a good restaurant. Look for where the locals are dining... They will frequent the better quality restaurants that are reasonable in price.
Q.
Does everyone order their own food individually?
A. It is traditional for one person to order for the entire table. The waitress will typically approach the person who has the menu. Typically everyone at the table will make a suggestion of the foods they would like to eat, and the person with the menu will order for everyone. Once the food arrives, it is all placed in the middle of the table for everyone to share.
Q.
What are common table manners?
A. Some typical table manners in China include: - Dinning may only begins once the host and all his guests are seated.
- Apart from soup, all dishes should be eaten with chopsticks. The Chinese are particular about the use of chopsticks. There are many no-no's such as twiddling with chopsticks, licking chopsticks, or using them to stir up the food, gesture with them or point them at others. Never stick chopsticks in the center of rice, as this is the way to sacrifice and is therefore considered to be inauspicious.
- Keep your dining pace accorded with other people. Never smoke when dining.
- A formal Chinese dinning is always accompanied by tea, beer or distilled spirit. The one who sit closest to the teapot or wine bottle should pour them for others from the senior and superior to the junior and inferior. And when other people fill your cup or glass, you should express your thanks.
- A toast to others is a characteristic Chinese dinning. When all people are seated and all cups are filled, the host should toast others first, together with some simple prologue to let the dinning start.
- If you are invited to a formal banquet, all the dishes should not be eaten up completely, or you will give the host the impression that he has not provided a good banquets and the food was insufficient.
Q.
How much should you tip the waitress?
A. It is not common to tip service people in China. However if you would like to tip them, they may try to return the money to you and if you insist, they will accept it gratefully.
Q.
How do you ask for the bill?
A. When you are finished with your meal, you can let the waitress know that you are finished and would like your bill by saying: Mai Dan (Pronounce "My Don")
Q.
Do you have to use chopsticks?
A. Chopsticks are provided with all meals. You may use a spoon provided for soup. If you have difficulties picking up some foods with Chopsticks, stabbing the food is a good way to ensure you do not go hungry (Although it is not proper).
Q.
Can I negotiate the price at a restaurant?
A. It is not common to negotiate the price at restaurants, they are for the most part fixed prices. Many chinese typically inspect their bill carefully to be sure they were not charged for anything that was not ordered / received.
Q.
What is Hot-Pot?
A. Hot pot or less commonly Chinese fondue, refers to several Chinese varieties of steamboat stew. It consists of a simmering metal pot of stock at the center of the dining table. While the hot pot is kept simmering, ingredients are placed into the pot and are cooked at the table. Typical hot pot dishes include thinly sliced meat, leafy vegetables, mushrooms, wontons, egg dumplings, and seafood. The cooked food is usually eaten with a dipping sauce. In many areas, hot pot meals are often eaten in the winter.
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