MENU TRANSLATION · CHINA
Translate a Chinese menu into English — and know what to order
To translate a Chinese menu, choose English in Piggy Nose and upload a clear photo that includes the dish names, prices and section headings. Keep the original Chinese name beside the explanation so you can point to the exact dish when ordering. A literal translation alone may not tell you what arrives at the table.
Menu examples: from local text to an informed choice
Chinese dish names may describe a cooking style, a region or an image rather than list all ingredients. These examples show why a short explanation is useful.
| On the menu | In plain English | Before ordering |
|---|---|---|
| 宫保鸡丁gōng bǎo jī dīng | Kung pao chicken: diced chicken in a seasoned stir-fry, commonly with peanuts. | Ask about peanuts and the restaurant’s spice level. |
| 鱼香茄子yú xiāng qié zi | Eggplant in a savory, sweet-sour, often spicy sauce. “Fish-fragrant” describes a flavor style. | The name does not establish whether fish, meat or seafood ingredients are present. |
| 小笼包xiǎo lóng bāo | Small steamed dumplings containing filling and hot broth. | Read the filling and number of pieces; versions differ. |
| 小份 / 大份xiǎo fèn / dà fèn | Small portion / large portion. | Keep the portion label with its price instead of comparing prices alone. |
Scan the whole dish entry, not just the name
Include the price column, portion size and any description below the name. If the menu has several columns, photograph each clearly rather than squeezing the entire booklet into one distant image. Keep the original photo available so you can check numbers against the result.
Plan a table of shared dishes
For a shared meal, ask the assistant for a combination from the menu you scanned: “Two people, budget 180 CNY, one vegetable dish and one chicken dish; keep it mild.” Treat this as a starting point. Ask the server about actual portions, whether rice is included, and any minimum order or extra charges.
Show the Chinese name when ordering
You can point at a dish and say “我要这个” (wǒ yào zhè ge, “I would like this”). Keep quantities and preferences separate from the dish name. “不要太辣” (bú yào tài là, “not too spicy”) is a preference request, not a guarantee about ingredients or preparation.
Check your connection before your trip
Piggy Nose needs an internet connection for scanning and AI explanations. Email sign-in is available if you cannot use Google sign-in. Availability in mainland China can vary by network and by the services the app uses, so test with your actual connection before relying on it at a restaurant. Save important travel phrases separately.
Try your own menu, before you order.
10 free scans a day after sign-in. No download or card required for free scans. Internet required.
Continue with GoogleQuestions before your trip
Does a Chinese vegetable dish name mean the dish is vegetarian?
No. A name containing vegetables or tofu does not establish the stock, sauce or other ingredients used. Ask the restaurant to confirm your requirements; neither a translation nor a reference photo can verify the kitchen’s recipe.
Can I scan a QR-code menu?
If a restaurant’s QR code opens a menu you can view, take screenshots of the actual dish names and prices and upload those images. Piggy Nose scans menu images; it does not place orders in the restaurant’s QR-code system.
Further reading
Official travel resources for the food and ordering context in this guide; they do not endorse Piggy Nose.