Bilingual menus ease expats' life in Futian

Video by Lin Jianping

Chinese cuisine, the brilliant gem of Eastern culinary culture, has conquered the hearts of countless diners with its richness, diversity, and distinctive flavors. From the eight distinct regional cuisines to the charming street snacks, and even special ingredients that may seem exotic to expats, such as crayfish and bullfrogs, the inclusiveness and innovative spirit of Chinese cuisine is pervasive.

However, for expat diners who come from afar, facing the vast array of Chinese menus often leaves them at a loss. Everyone’s eating habits and ingredient preferences vary, undoubtedly adding to the challenge of ordering for them.

Expat diners check the bilingual menus at the Star of Canton Restaurant in One Avenue in Futian. Photos by Lin Songtao

In order to enhance the dining experience for expat visitors, the Foreign Affairs Office of Futian District, the Commerce Bureau of Futian District, and the Futian Branch of the Municipal Market Supervision and Regulation Bureau are actively promoting the implementation of bilingual menus and optimized payment services. They encourage restaurants and merchants in Futian to provide menus in two or more languages, including Chinese and English, making it easier for expats to understand the information about the dishes.

A glimpse of the bilingual menu of the Star of CantonRestaurant. 

Currently, 90% of the restaurants in the One Avenue and the Link Central Walk, two major business districts in Futian District, have responded to the initiative by providing bilingual menus. Other dining establishments in different business districts are also actively following suit, collectively creating a more convenient and friendly dining environment for overseas guests, thereby contributing to the further enhancement of Futian District’s international consumer environment and promoting cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries.

An expat reads the bilingual menu of the Brew Bar & Kitchen in Link Central Walk in Futian. 

A glimpse of the bilingual menu of the Brew Bar & Kitchen. 

Simon Chiatante from Italy and his Russian friend Jane Evgeniia Kozlova, recently dining at a Cantonese restaurant in the One Avenue, spoke highly of the bilingual menu.

Dishes at the Star of Canton Restaurant.

Chiatante said, “The bilingual menu allows me to remember my favorite dishes and drinks more easily and introduce them to my friends with their English names. It makes me feel closer to Chinese cuisine, which is becoming a part of my life.”

Kozlova also excitedly shared, “With the English menu, I finally understand what I’m eating. Many ingredients on the Chinese menu are not common in other countries, and the English menu makes it easier for me to understand.”

Futian, a vibrant and charming urban area, is attracting global attention with its unique culinary culture, fashionable consumption scenes, and convenient payment methods. The promotion of bilingual menus not only provides convenience for overseas guests but also serves as a vital bridge for cultural exchange between China and other countries. Bilingual menus ease expats’ life in Futian.