No matter the occasion, be it for business or personal reasons, being invited out for a meal to somebody’s home or a restaurant can always be a little nerve-racking, especially if it’s for the first time! You don’t want to come off as impolite, rude or lose face in any way as it would perhaps deter relations with the person or group.
Now, there are always a few basic etiquettes you can follow in order to be respectful of the host and the other guests at the table; sit up straight, do not keep your elbows on the table, speak politely and do not play with your food or utensils. But every region/country has certain customs that they follow and the same goes with China! But don’t worry, we have you covered.
Here are some Chinese table manners for you to keep in mind:
The setting is perhaps the most important when eating a meal at a formal setting in China. The “commander” or “master” of the banquet is seated on the chair facing the entrance. This chair is reserved for the person of highest status which is often determined by occupation, age, social standing, etc. You may be offered this seat as the guest of honor and if so, then do not refuse the seat. But most importantly, do not sit on the seat if it is not offered to you.
The pace of the meal is dictated by the “master” of the table. Once he or she lifts their chopsticks, you may then proceed to pick yours up to begin eating. However, if you are the guest of honor then people might be waiting for you to begin, so be aware.
If you wish to leave the table during the meal then leave your chopsticks beside your plate or bowl or on chopstick rest if provided. Leaving your chopsticks on your plate is an indication that you have finished eating and a server may clear your plate!
Your chopsticks should not be used to pick up anything other than food nor to point at food, this may be considered rude.
Here are some basic Mandarin words that you can use at the table to help impress your compatriots:
Please: qǐng (ch-ying)
Excuse me: Láojià/qǐng wèn (this literally translates to ‘Please Ask’ and can be used when you need to ask a question)
Delicious: hěnhǎo chī
Thank you: Xièxiè ni
These are just some of the highlights. Read in detail about Chinese table manners & the Chinese dining etiquette so you’re prepped for your next trip to China! Now that’s enough about the rules, let’s talk about the delicious food! Here are our five favorite Chinese food items (China Highlights, 2019) :
Dumplings (Jiaozi) – Boiled, steamed or fried, we love them all! The dish consists of minced meat (chicken, beef, shrimp, etc.) and chopped veggies all wrapped in a thin dough skin.
Peking Roasted Duck (Běijīng kǎoyā) – A dish loved due to the thin and crispy skin texture of the skin. It may be eaten with a soy-garlic or sweet bean sauce or with pancakes. It is also considered one of China’s national dishes!
Chow Mein (Chǎomiàn) – Who doesn’t love this dish? Stir fried noodles, meat (such as chicken, beef or shrimp), celery or onions. Simple, yet absolutely delicious.
Hotpot (huǒguō) – This dish will set you apart and make you a real Chinese food lover. You can tell a hotpot is good by the richness of its broth, which will contain the cooked vegetables and the slices of meat that you choose. Broth flavors include mushroom, tomato, original, or spicy and is normally chosen by you but it may be pre-determined based on the sauce you choose to go with the meat. There are a lot of variations to choose from!
Ma Po Tofu (Mápó dòufǔ) - It is one of the most famous dishes in the Chinese cuisine. The tofu is mixed with a brownish red ground beef and chopped green onion.
Contrary to popular belief and even perhaps the list above, the Chinese cuisine offers a variety of vegetarian options. Here is a list of 15 vegetarian Chinese food options.
Mouth-watering, isn’t it? Crush your cravings and try out these dishes today! Where? Check out the list of Dubai’s best Chinese restaurants 2019 by TimeOut Dubai.
We hope we added a bit of knowledge and understanding of the Chinese culture. Don’t forget to use the terms mentioned above and wow your friends with your language skills. Want to learn more? Book your group or 1-on-1 Mandarin class with C2C Academy and get started!
REFERENCES:
TripSavvy. (2019). Follow These Dos and Don'ts for Chinese Dining Etiquette. [online] Available at: https://www.tripsavvy.com/chinese-table-manners-1458297 [Accessed 23 Nov. 2019].
China Highlights. (2019). How to Eat in China — Chinese Table Manners, Etiquette. [online] Available at: https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-food/dining-etiquette.htm [Accessed 23 Nov. 2019].
China Highlights. (2019). The 15 Most Popular Chinese Dishes, Tasty Chinese Food. [online] Available at: https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-food/eight-chinese-dishes.htm [Accessed 23 Nov. 2019].
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