Restaurants

Chinese food is one of the most popular and diverse cuisines in the world. There’s an old saying, " Food is the paramount necessity of the people(民以食为天, mín yǐ shí wèi tiān) ", which shows how important food is in China. Restaurants are everywhere, but if you’re in tourist spots, it can be hard to find the best or even a good one.

Everyone has their own idea of the “best” restaurant, but good ones are often easier to find. This guide focuses on reliable choices: chain restaurants. There are a lot of chains in China and they are delicious, affordable and easy to find.

Fast Food Chains

These are usually on the underground floor of malls or along the streets, with bright, eye-catching signs. The cost is typically 20-40 RMB per person.

• YangGuoFu MalaTang(杨国福麻辣烫, yáng guó fú má là tàng)
• Damixiansheng(大米先生, dà mǐ xiān shēng)
• Hefu Noodle(和府捞面, hé fǔ lāo miàn)
• Yuanji Dumpling(袁记云饺, yuán jì yún jiǎo)
• Yonghe King(永和大王, yǒng hé dà wáng)

Here is some regional ones:

• Yang's Dumpling(小杨生煎, xiǎo yáng shēng jiān) at Shanghai
• Ziguangyuan(紫光园, zǐ guāng yuán) at Beijing

Here is some “Not-Chain” chains, the signs will vary but they have same names and the cost will be even lower:

• Lanzhou Lamian(兰州拉面, lán zhōu lā miàn)
• Shaxian Snacks(沙县小吃, shā xiàn xiǎo chī)

These two are special because they are projects run by city governments. The government provides funding and training for people who want to start the business, and it has successfully grown nationwide.

Dine-in Chains

These are often on the higher floors of malls. They cost around 50-200 RMB per person. Popular ones usually have a 30-60 minute wait, so it’s best to go early.

Here is some restaurants you can order various dishes and usually have them with rice:

• Xibei(西贝莜面村, xī bèi yóu miàn cūn)
• Xiaocaiyuan(小菜园, xiǎo cài yuán)
• Quanjude(全聚德, quán jù dé)
• Taotaoju(陶陶居, táo táo jū)
• Grandma's Home(外婆家, wài pó jiā)
• Taier Suancai & Fish(太二酸菜鱼, tài èr suān cài yú)

Here is some hotpot restaurants, not all of them are spicy:

• Haidilao Hot Pot(海底捞, hǎi dǐ lāo)
• Want HotPot(捞王锅物料理, lāo wáng guō wù liào lǐ)
• Dalongyi Hot Pot(大龙燚火锅, dà lóng yì huǒ guō)
• Baheli Beef HotPot(八合里牛肉火锅)

Notes and Tips

• If there’s a wait at the restaurant, staff at the door will give you a ticket with a number. They’ll call your number when it’s your turn. There are seats outside, sometimes with snacks or board games to keep you entertained.
• The waiting ticket might have a QR code. If you scan it, you can get updates through WeChat or Alipay when your table is ready.
• You won’t see a physical menu unless you ask for it. Instead, scan the QR code on the table to order. Usually, both WeChat and Alipay work for ordering, but occasionally, only WeChat is supported. Don’t worry about payment—most methods are accepted.
• Don’t rely only on the names of dishes—there are usually pictures to help. If you’re unsure about the ingredients, ask the staff. In large chain restaurants, some staff members may speak English.
• HotPot tips:
  • Start by ordering the soup base(锅底, guō dǐ) . A " Yin-Yang pot(鸳鸯锅, yuān yāng guō) " or " Dual/Multiple flavor pot(拼锅, pīn guō) " is a good choice. It lets you have one spicy and one non-spicy soup in the same pot—locals often do this too.
  • For the spicy level, choose " Mildly spicy(微辣, wēi là) ". It’s the safest option for most people.
  • Most hotpot restaurant provide DIY sauce bar. There are base sauces like sesame paste, peanut sauce, satay sauce, chili sauce, soy sauce and oyster sauce. And there are toppings like minced garlic, chopped ginger, scallions, cilantro, chili flakes, sichuan pepper powder and sesame seeds. There are also snacks and fruits you can pick up by your self. It’s easy to find in the restaurant and you will not miss it.
• If your bill is over 150 RMB per person (without alcohol or expensive seafood), you might have ordered too much. Consider reducing the order.