Hungry and ready to try Chinese food? In this A2-friendly guide, you’ll learn the essential Mandarin phrases to order, ask questions about dishes, handle spice levels, and pay the bill—plus a few cultural tips so you sound polite and confident.

First steps: getting a table

When you enter a restaurant, greet the staff and ask if there’s a seat.

Common, polite phrases:

• 你好！Hello!
• 请问有空位吗？May I ask if there are seats available?
• 我们两位。We are two people.
• 这边请。This way, please.

，请问有空位吗？

Ordering food: 要 / 想 / 来

In restaurants, you’ll often hear three verbs for ordering:

• 我要… I want… (direct, very common)
• 我想要… I would like… (slightly softer)
• 来… (colloquial) "Bring us…" often used when ordering: 来一份饺子。

请给我一水。

我要一水。 → 我要一杯水。 Use measure words with nouns—especially drinks and dishes (杯 for cup, 碗 for bowl, 份 for portion).

Ask about dishes and spice

Before you order, you might want to check ingredients or spice level.

不要太。

Note: 买单 and 结账 both mean "to settle the bill." 买单 is more common in spoken Chinese.

Paying and packing leftovers

When you’re ready:

• 服务员，买单，谢谢。 Excuse me, the bill, please. Thank you.
• 可以刷卡吗？ Can I pay by card?
• 可以微信/支付宝吗？ Can I pay by WeChat/Alipay?
• 可以打包吗？ Can you pack it to go?
• 打包带走。 Pack it to take away.

服务员，，谢谢。

外卖 means takeout/delivery—food sold to eat outside the restaurant. If you want your leftovers packed, say 打包; if you want to order for takeout, ask 有外卖吗？

Mini phrase bank

• 请给我菜单。 Please give me the menu.
• 我们点这个。 We’ll order this.
• 这个不辣吗？ Is this not spicy?
• 我不吃牛肉。 I don’t eat beef.
• 可以少盐吗？ Can you make it less salty?
• 味道不错！ The taste is great!
• 我们要两碗米饭。 We’d like two bowls of rice.

Wrap-up practice

Try combining elements:

• 你好，请问有空位吗？我们两位。
• 请给我们菜单。我们想要一份饺子，两杯茶，不要太辣。
• 服务员，买单，谢谢。可以打包吗？

You’ve got the essentials! Next time you eat out, greet politely, use measure words, and adjust spice to your taste. Keep practicing with short, real dialogues, and your Mandarin restaurant skills will grow fast.