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Ordering at a Chinese restaurant in English (advanced)
Advanced English for ordering at a Chinese restaurant. Key line: “Hi, could we *start* with the *cucumber* salad and *pork* dumplings?”
Full script
Lin
Hi, could we start with the cucumber salad and pork dumplings?
Them
Absolutely. Do you want the dumplings steamed or pan-fried?
Lin
Pan-fried, please, and is the mapo tofu very spicy?
Them
It's got a kick, but we can tone it down.
Lin
Great, make it mild, then. I'm brave until my nose starts running.
Them
Fair enough. Any vegetables, or are you letting the dumplings carry tonight?
Lin
Let's add the dry-fried green beans, and one bowl of rice.
Them
Perfect. Mild mapo, heroic intentions, and backup rice—my favorite kind of confidence.
Key phrases
The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.
order first
✓ Could we start with ...?A polite way to order
Natural when ordering first
spicy
✓ It's got a kick.some heat
More natural than very spicy
tone it down
✓ We can tone it down.less spice or flavor
For spice or flavor
mild
✓ Make it mild.ask for less spice
More natural than less spicy
Quick answers
order first: what to say in English
Say “Could we start with ...?” — a polite way to order. Natural when ordering first.
spicy: what to say in English
Say “It's got a kick.” — some heat. More natural than very spicy.
tone it down: what to say in English
Say “We can tone it down.” — less spice or flavor. For spice or flavor.
mild: what to say in English
Say “Make it mild.” — ask for less spice. More natural than less spicy.