Ordering Food in Taiwan
Ordering food in Taiwan can be a delightful experience with its variety of delicious dishes and unique dining culture. Understanding local etiquette and knowing how to navigate menus will help you enjoy your meal to the fullest. Whether you're dining at a traditional restaurant, a night market, or ordering takeout, being polite and familiar with common phrases will enhance your experience.
Basic Terms - 基本術語
- Order food: 點餐 (diǎn cān)
- Menu: 菜單 (cài dān)
- Tips: 小費 (xiǎo fèi)
- Waitstaff: 服務員 (fú wù yuán)
- Dish: 菜餚 (cài yáo)
- Set meal: 套餐 (tào cān)
- Beverages: 飲料 (yǐn liào)
- Tableware: 餐具 (cān jù)
- Payment: 付款 (fù kuǎn)
- Takeout: 外賣 (wài mài)
- Restaurant: 餐廳 (cān tīng)
- Buffet: 自助餐 (zì zhù cān)
Basic Ordering Phrases
General Phrases
| Do you have a menu? | 你們有菜單嗎？ | nǐ men yǒu cài dān ma? |
| Please give me the menu. | 請給我菜單 | qǐng gěi wǒ cài dān |
| I would like to order. | 我想點餐 | wǒ xiǎng diǎn cān |
| What is this dish? | 請問這道菜是什麼？ | qǐng wèn zhè dào cài shì shén me? |
| I don't want it spicy. | 我不要辣 | wǒ bù yào là |
| Give me one [dish]. | 給我一份 [dish] | gěi wǒ yī fèn [dish] |
Ordering Drinks
| Can I order a [drink]? | 我可以點一杯 [drink] 嗎？ | wǒ kě yǐ diǎn yī bēi [drink] ma? |
| I want a [drink]. | 我要一杯 [drink] | wǒ yào yī bēi [drink] |
| Please give me water. | 請給我水 | qǐng gěi wǒ shuǐ |
Types of Meals and Dishes
In Taiwan, meals can vary from simple street food to more elaborate dishes at restaurants. It's useful to know the terms for different types of meals and dishes.
Set Meals
Set meals (套餐, tào cān) are common in Taiwan. These meals include a main dish, rice, soup, and side dishes. They are a great way to try multiple items at once.
| What is included in this set meal? | 這個套餐有什麼？ | zhè ge tào cān yǒu shén me? |
| I'll have the [set meal]. | 我要一個 [set meal] | wǒ yào yī ge [set meal] |
Snacks and Street Food
Street food (小吃, xiǎo chī) is one of Taiwan's highlights, and there are many small dishes you can order at night markets or food stalls.
Desserts
Taiwanese desserts (甜點, tián diǎn) are a treat, from shaved ice to bubble tea with toppings. Be sure to try these sweet treats!
| I want [snack]. | 我要 [snack] | wǒ yào [snack] |
| What is this? | 這個是什麼？ | zhè ge shì shén me? |
Common Requests - 常見請求
Asking for Tissue
| Do you have tissue? | 你們有紙巾嗎？ | nǐ men yǒu zhǐ jīn ma? |
| Please give me some tissue. | 請給我一些紙巾 | qǐng gěi wǒ yī xiē zhǐ jīn |
| Where is the bathroom? | 洗手間在哪裡？ | xǐ shǒu jiān zài nǎ lǐ? |
| I need to use the restroom. | 我需要上廁所 | wǒ xū yào shàng cè suǒ |
| Please bring the bill. | 請給我帳單 | qǐng gěi wǒ zhàng dān |
| Can I get a cup of water? | 可以給我一杯水嗎？ | kě yǐ gěi wǒ yī bēi shuǐ ma? |
| Excuse me, I need help. | 對不起，我需要幫忙 | duì bù qǐ, wǒ xū yào bāng máng |
| Can you introduce the dishes? | 可以介紹一下這些菜嗎？ | kě yǐ jiè shào yī xià zhè xiē cài ma? |
| Can you recommend something? | 有什麼推薦的嗎？ | yǒu shén me tuī jiàn de ma? |
| I need silverware. | 我需要餐具 | wǒ xū yào cān jù |
Payment - 結賬
Tipping (小費 - xiǎo fèi) is not a strict custom in Taiwan, but rounding up the bill or leaving a small tip is often appreciated for good service. To make it clear to the service staff, simply say '不用找我錢' (bù yòng zhǎo wǒ qián), which means "keep the change".
Paying for the Meal
| How much is it? | 多少錢？ | duō shǎo qián? |
| I want to pay. | 我要付錢 | wǒ yào fù qián |
| Can I pay by card? | 我可以刷卡嗎？ | wǒ kě yǐ shuā kǎ ma? |
Takeout and Delivery
If you prefer to enjoy your meal at home, Taiwan offers many takeout and delivery options.
Ordering Takeout
| Can I take this to go? | 我可以外帶嗎？ | wǒ kě yǐ wài dài ma? |
| Please pack it to go. | 請打包 | qǐng dǎ bāo |
Food Delivery Apps
Many food delivery apps are available in Taiwan, making it easy to have food brought directly to your home or office. Popular apps include Uber Eats and Foodpanda.
| I want to order delivery. | 我想訂外送 | wǒ xiǎng dìng wài sòng |
| Please deliver to [address]. | 請送到 [address] | qǐng sòng dào [address] |
Dining Etiquette
In Taiwan, following proper dining etiquette is important to show respect to others and to enjoy your meal in harmony.
Table Manners
| Don't put the bowl on the table. | 不要把碗放在桌子上 | bù yào bǎ wǎn fàng zài zhuō zi shàng |
| Please use chopsticks. | 請使用筷子 | qǐng shǐ yòng kuài zi |
| Elders first, then younger. | 先長輩後晚輩 | xiān zhǎng bèi hòu wǎn bèi |