Ordering Dim Sum with the Paper Checklist

IntermediateRestaurant

A tourist at a Cantonese dim sum restaurant asks a friendly local at the next table how to use the paper order form and which dishes are must-tries.

English audioPinyinEnglish

David

Meiling

不好意思，打扰一下，请问这张纸是怎么点菜的？

bù hǎo yìsi, dǎrǎo yíxià, qǐngwèn zhè zhāng zhǐ shì zěnme diǎncài de?

Excuse me, sorry to bother you. May I ask, how do you use this paper to order?

很简单，你只要在想吃的菜后面写上数量就行了。

hěn jiǎndān, nǐ zhǐyào zài xiǎng chī de cài hòumiàn xiě shàng shùliàng jiù xíng le.

It's really simple. You just write the quantity next to the dishes you want to eat.

原来是这样，那我填好以后交给谁呢？

yuánlái shì zhèyàng, nà wǒ tián hǎo yǐhòu jiāo gěi shéi ne?

I see. So after I fill it out, who do I give it to?

填完举手叫服务员过来，把纸给他们就好了。

tián wán jǔ shǒu jiào fúwùyuán guòlái, bǎ zhǐ gěi tāmen jiù hǎo le.

When you're done, raise your hand to call the waiter over, and just hand them the paper.

太谢谢了！菜单上的字我大部分都看不懂，你能推荐几个必点的吗？

tài xièxie le! càidān shàng de zì wǒ dàbùfen dōu kàn bù dǒng, nǐ néng tuījiàn jǐ ge bì diǎn de ma?

Thank you so much! I can't read most of the words on the menu. Could you recommend a few must-orders?

当然可以，来这里一定要点虾饺和烧卖，这两样最经典。

dāngrán kěyǐ, lái zhèlǐ yídìng yào diǎn xiājiǎo hé shāomài, zhè liǎng yàng zuì jīngdiǎn.

Of course. When you come here you absolutely have to order shrimp dumplings and siu mai — those two are the most classic.

虾饺我听说过，那有没有甜一点的点心推荐？

xiājiǎo wǒ tīngshuō guò, nà yǒu méiyǒu tián yìdiǎn de diǎnxīn tuījiàn?

I've heard of shrimp dumplings. Is there anything a bit sweeter you'd recommend?

有啊，蛋挞和流沙包都很受欢迎，特别是流沙包，一咬开里面的奶黄就流出来了。

yǒu a, dàntǎ hé liúshābāo dōu hěn shòu huānyíng, tèbié shì liúshābāo, yì yǎo kāi lǐmiàn de nǎihuáng jiù liú chūlái le.

Yes! Egg tarts and lava buns are both very popular, especially the lava buns — the moment you bite in, the custard flows out.

听起来太诱人了！那喝的呢，大家一般配什么茶？

tīng qǐlái tài yòurén le! nà hē de ne, dàjiā yìbān pèi shénme chá?

That sounds so tempting! And to drink — what tea do people usually have with it?

喝早茶最常点的是普洱和菊花茶，普洱比较解腻，配油炸的东西刚刚好。

hē zǎochá zuì cháng diǎn de shì pǔ'ěr hé júhuā chá, pǔ'ěr bǐjiào jiěnì, pèi yóuzhá de dōngxi gānggāng hǎo.

For morning tea, the most commonly ordered are pu'er and chrysanthemum tea. Pu'er cuts through the grease nicely, so it's perfect with fried things.

真是太感谢你了，你可帮了我大忙！我这就把这几样都写上。

zhēnshì tài gǎnxiè nǐ le, nǐ kě bāng le wǒ dà máng! wǒ zhè jiù bǎ zhè jǐ yàng dōu xiě shàng.

Thank you so much, you've really been a huge help! I'll write down all these right now.

不客气，祝你吃得开心，有什么问题随时问我！

bú kèqi, zhù nǐ chī de kāixīn, yǒu shénme wèntí suíshí wèn wǒ!

You're welcome. Enjoy your meal, and if you have any questions, just ask me anytime!