Mandarin Vibes - Restaurants

What are the main types of restaurants travelers can find in China

Travelers exploring China's vast restaurant scene will quickly realize that "Chinese food" is not one cuisine, but a universe of regional traditions. The most common and accessible type of eatery is the Xiaochi (Small Eats) shop. These are often humble, specialized stalls found on street corners or in "food alleys," serving specific items like steamed buns (Baozi), hand-pulled noodles (Lamian), or pan-fried dumplings (Shengjian Bao). They are the heart of daily life—affordable, incredibly fast, and often serving recipes that have been perfected by the same family for decades. Eating at a Xiaochi spot is a quintessential Chinese experience of efficiency and flavor.

For a more social experience, the Family-Style Restaurant is the standard. These range from neighborhood "hole-in-the-wall" joints to grand, multi-story banquet halls. The defining feature is the Lazy Susan—a large rotating glass disc in the center of a round table. Dishes are ordered for the whole group to share, placed on the disc, and spun around so everyone can sample everything. This reflects the Chinese cultural emphasis on communal harmony and variety. You might find a whole steamed fish, a plate of spicy mapo tofu, seasonal greens, and a bowl of soup all on the table at once. For those who love drama and interaction, Hot Pot (Huoguo) restaurants are essential. Chains like Haidilao have become global sensations for their incredible service, but the local "fly restaurants" in Sichuan or Chongqing offer a grittier, more authentic heat.

There are also specialized establishments like Muslim (Halal) Restaurants, easily identified by their green signs and crescent moon symbols. These are run by the Hui or Uyghur ethnic minorities and are the best places for incredible lamb skewers (Chuan'r) and freshly made noodles. In the south, you will find the classic Dim Sum Halls, which are most traditional for brunch (Yum Cha). Here, trolleys piled high with bamboo steamer baskets are pushed through the rows of tables, and you simply point at what looks delicious. Finally, the modern Chinese café and fusion scene in cities like Shanghai and Shenzhen is cutting-edge, blending traditional ingredients with Western pastry or coffee techniques, reflecting the tastes of a globalized, tech-savvy youth.

What should travelers know about tipping customs in restaurants in China

This is one of the most important and refreshing rules for dining in the Middle Kingdom: Tipping is NOT practiced and is generally not expected in mainland China. It is simply not part of the cultural fabric. If you leave money on the table after a meal, the waiter will likely think you have accidentally forgotten your change and may even run out into the street to return it to you. In standard restaurants, tax and service are already included in the menu price, and the staff are paid a regular salary. Attempting to tip can sometimes even be seen as a bit confusing or socially awkward.

There are, however, a few very specific exceptions where the rules of "New China" meet international standards. In ultra-luxury five-star hotels or high-end restaurants in Shanghai and Beijing that cater exclusively to an international clientele, a "Service Charge" (usually 10% to 15%) may be automatically added to the final bill. In these cases, you are already paying for the service, and no further gratuity is needed. In Hong Kong and Macau, which have different histories and systems, tipping is more common (usually 10% or leaving the small change), reflecting the British and Portuguese influences. But for the vast majority of your journey through the mainland, you can keep your wallet closed after paying the bill.

It is also vital to understand the payment culture. Cash is almost never used in Chinese restaurants anymore. Most locals pay by scanning a QR code on the table using Alipay or WeChat Pay. Many restaurants have even eliminated paper menus entirely; you scan the code, browse the menu on your phone, order, and pay all through the app. As an international traveler, having these apps set up is essential. If you do use cash, try to have small bills, as many small shops may not have change. By following these local norms, you’ll find the dining experience in China to be one of the most efficient and stress-free parts of your trip.

What are the best ways to discover high-quality restaurants in China

Finding the best food in China requires moving beyond Western apps like TripAdvisor, which are often outdated or only list tourist-friendly spots. The ultimate tool for food discovery in China is Dianping (often called the "Chinese Yelp"). While the app is in Chinese, it is highly visual. You can search by "Top Rated" (Hao Ping) in your current neighborhood and look at the photos. A restaurant with a rating of 4.5 stars or higher and thousands of photos uploaded by customers is a guaranteed winner. You can also use the app to see the "must-order" dishes (Tui Jian Cai) for that specific establishment.

Another foolproof method is to follow the queues. Chinese people are passionate foodies and are willing to wait for hours for a truly exceptional meal. If you see a long line of locals outside a humble-looking shop at 12 PM or 6 PM, it is a sign of high quality and fresh ingredients. In China, the "fly restaurants" (Cangying Guanzi)—so called because they are tiny and often look unpolished—often serve the most legendary flavors in the city. Don't judge a place by its interior design; judge it by the number of people eating there. Also, look for the "Open Kitchen" style where you can see the noodles being pulled or the dumplings being folded; transparency is a mark of pride in Chinese cooking.

Finally, engage with the digital "word of mouth." If you are staying at a boutique hotel or a "Minsu," ask the staff specifically where they like to eat, rather than where tourists go. Use the phrase "Ni chi le ma?" (Have you eaten?) as a conversation starter. If you see a crowded neighborhood market, wander through it in the morning; often, the best local eateries are located right on the perimeter of the market to take advantage of the freshest produce. Be adventurous and don't be afraid of the language barrier—most menus have pictures, and pointing combined with a smile will get you one of the best meals of your life.