Order Food in a Cantonese Restaurant
Beyond dim sum, every Hong Kong restaurant runs on the same handful of phrases: ask for the 餐牌 (caan1 paai2, menu), order with 我想要 (ngo5 soeng2 jiu3, I'd like), and finish with 埋單 (maai4 daan1, the bill). Add hot, cold, and less spicy and you can eat anywhere in the city — tap any phrase for native audio and Jyutping.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you order food in Cantonese?
Get the waiter's attention with 唔該 (m4 goi1), then say 我想要 (ngo5 soeng2 jiu3, I'd like) plus the dish — or point at the menu and say 呢個 (ni1 go3, this one).
What does 加底 (gaa1 dai2) mean on a menu?
Extra "base" — more rice or noodles under the same topping for a few dollars more. A classic cha chaan teng and roast-meat shop term.
How do you order something with no ice or less sweet?
走 (zau2) means "hold the…": 走冰 (zau2 bing1) is no ice, 走甜 (zau2 tim4) no sugar, and 少甜 (siu2 tim4) less sweet. The same pattern gives 走蔥 (no spring onion).
How do you say you are vegetarian in Cantonese?
Say 我食素 (ngo5 sik6 sou3, I eat vegetarian) or 我唔食肉 (ngo5 m4 sik6 juk6, I don't eat meat).