“Not spicy” is not the same request as “a little spicy,” and “no chili” does not automatically exclude peppercorn oil or a spicy sauce prepared earlier. Use one short request for each thing you want changed, then confirm whether the dish can actually be modified.
No chili at all
我不能吃辣，请一点辣椒都不要放。
Pronunciation: Wo bu neng chi la, qing yi dian lajiao dou bu yao fang.
I cannot eat spicy food. Please do not add any chili.
Use this when you cannot tolerate chili. The phrase “一点辣椒都不要放” means do not add even a little chili. Ask whether the dish or sauce is prepared in advance; some bases cannot be remade.
No cilantro
请不要放香菜。
Pronunciation: Qing bu yao fang xiangcai.
Please do not add cilantro.
Cilantro may be added as a garnish at the end, which makes this request relatively easy. It can also appear in dumpling fillings or cold dishes, where removing the visible leaves is not enough.
Less oil
请少放一点油。
Pronunciation: Qing shao fang yi dian you.
Please use a little less oil.
This asks the kitchen to use less oil, not to make the dish oil-free. Deep-fried food, hot pot bases and dishes cooked in batches may not be adjustable. Choose steamed, boiled or clear-soup dishes when the cooking method matters.
No ice
请不要加冰。
Pronunciation: Qing bu yao jia bing.
Please do not add ice.
For a cold drink without ice, the drink may still come refrigerated. If you want room temperature, ask for 常温 (Changwen). If you want warm water, ask for 温水 (Wenshui).
How to use the cards at a restaurant
- Show the English meaning to confirm you selected the correct card.
- Show the Chinese card before the order is sent to the kitchen.
- Point to the specific dish or drink; do not assume the request applies to the whole table.
- Ask staff to confirm with the kitchen when the dish has a premade sauce or filling.
- Check the item when it arrives, but do not rely only on appearance for allergies.
Common misunderstandings
- 微辣 (Weila) means mildly spicy, not no spice.
- 少辣 (Shaola) means less chili, not no chili.
- 去冰 (Qubing) commonly means no ice, but the drink may remain cold.
- 少油 (Shaoyou) is a request, not a guarantee that a traditionally oily dish will become light.
FAQ
Can I put all four requests into one sentence?
You can, but separate cards are easier for staff to read and less likely to be misunderstood.
What if the waiter says 做不了 (Zuobuliao)?
It means the requested change cannot be made. Choose another dish rather than assuming the kitchen will improvise.
Should I say 请问 before every request?
The cards already use polite 请 wording where natural. A friendly tone and a brief 谢谢 (Xiexie) are enough.
For menus and table ordering, read the QR-menu fallback guide.