You can eat great (and usually cheap) in China, plenty of choice! Freshly made noodles, lots of fresh vegetables and marinated meat make every meal a pleasure. In terms of customs while eating, the Chinese do not have the same etiquette rules that we have in most European countries, but there are a number of rules that are enforced. The most important rule here is “think of others first and then of yourself”.
Meal(times)
Breakfast in China often consists of soup, with or without noodles. If you stay in a (good) hotel, you often get the choice between a European breakfast (often a buffet with rolls and eggs) or a Chinese breakfast (often soup). The cheap accommodations often only offer a Chinese breakfast. A Chinese breakfast is often half the price of a European breakfast. Lunch time starts at 11:30 am. The Chinese who work during the day usually don’t take much time for lunch (unless they have a working lunch). They often eat some noodles in a food stall or a sandwich. Fast food is also an option that is becoming increasingly popular. Dinner starts at 6 p.m. Formal dinners can last a long time, but informal dinners can be over in an hour. However, there are many different types of restaurants that offer a wide variety of dishes.
Chop sticks
In China people do not eat with the same cutlery (fork, knife, spoon) as we know. They eat with chopsticks, also called chopsticks. If you are going to China, it is better to practice with your chopsticks in advance. The food in China is made in such a way that it is great to eat with chopsticks. In restaurants you sometimes get chopsticks made of plastic, but most often you get chopsticks made of (bamboo) wood. However, you can also bring and use your own chopsticks, which can be useful if you are used to eating with these chopsticks. A word of wisdom regarding the use of chopsticks: do not point your chopsticks at anyone or stick them upright into your bowl of food, both are very rude!
Table manners
Because you can eat cheaply in China, people eat out just as often as they cook at home. Food is also an event that brings people together.
To eat
When you have dinner with several people, one person from the group will usually order a number of dishes for the table, which everyone will eat. You hardly come across individual portions, the preference is to share together. The dishes are placed in the middle of the table and everyone takes turns taking something and putting it in their bowl. The idea here is to take a little and not immediately fill your bowl completely with food, as this is rude. If a dish runs out, it can be reordered quickly and easily. If you are the guest of the group, you can be the first to serve something, or even more commonly, someone from the group will serve you something. If rice and soup have also been ordered with the dishes, the soup is not always served first, but often later. Rice is even more often served at the end of the meal and is more intended to fill in any gaps. If you would like the rice served earlier, please let the waiter know.
Drinks
Most tea is consumed during meals, although you are free to order other drinks. In most restaurants in China the tea is free or you pay a one-time fee and the tea is replenished for free throughout the meal. When the teapot is empty, you can remove the lid from the pot and place the teapot at the edge of the table with the lid next to it, indicating that the tea needs to be refilled. It is customary not to pour first and not only for yourself. First look or ask who wants tea and pour it, and finally pour it for yourself. This also applies to water, for example, if there is a carafe of water on the table. When the drinks are served, don’t start drinking right away. Usually someone will make a toast first, or you can decide to make a toast yourself (thank you for the food/invitation), then you can start drinking.
Tips
Cheap restaurants usually don’t tip, although it is ultimately your own choice if you do. At more expensive restaurants (and hotel restaurants) the tip is included (usually between 10 and 15% of the total amount).