The expensive restaurant surprise is often not one outrageous menu price. It is a stack of things no one translated: tea charged per person, packaged tableware, a private-room minimum, seafood priced by weight, or a dish marked only as “market price.” Ask before the kitchen starts. Once a live fish has been weighed and cooked, the conversation becomes much harder.
Read the unit beside the price
- 份 (fen): one dish or portion.
- 位 (wei): per person.
- 例 (li): a portion size used by some restaurants.
- 斤 (jin): 500 grams in mainland China.
- 500克 (wubai ke): 500 grams.
- 时价 (shijia): market price; ask for today’s number.
- 起 (qi): starting from, not necessarily the final price.
请问，这个价格是每份、每位还是每五百克？
Pronunciation: Qingwen, zhege jiage shi mei fen, mei wei haishi mei wubai ke?
Is this price per dish, per person, or per 500 grams?
Small charges you may see
- Tea or hot water service charged per person.
- Sealed tableware or wet towels.
- A service charge in some hotels or higher-end restaurants.
- A minimum spend for a private room.
- Condiments, a hotpot soup base, or a self-service sauce bar.
- Packaging if you take leftovers away.
These charges are not universal. The point is to ask what applies at this restaurant, not to assume every small item is included or improper.
For seafood and other weighed items
- Ask the price per unit.
- Watch or confirm the weight.
- Ask whether the quoted weight is before cooking.
- Ask whether preparation adds another fee.
- Confirm the estimated total in writing or on a calculator.
- Only then agree to cooking.
请问，包括所有费用一共多少钱？
Pronunciation: Qingwen, baokuo suoyou feiyong yigong duoshao qian?
How much is the total, including all charges?
If the bill is different
Compare the bill with the menu and order screen. Point to one line at a time. Ask staff to explain duplicate dishes, quantities and units. If the restaurant is inside a mall, hotel or scenic area, the property service desk may help. Keep the menu photo, order page and payment record.
FAQ
Should I avoid small local restaurants?
No. Many are excellent and straightforward. Choose one with visible prices and a menu you can translate.
Is tipping expected?
Not in most ordinary restaurants. A published service charge is different from a voluntary tip.
What does “market price” mean?
It means the number can change. Do not order until staff show today’s price and the charging unit.
Official information to check
Before sitting down: read how to choose a restaurant with clear prices.