1. Paper order sheets
Many small restaurants give you an order sheet (點菜單). Write the quantity next to each dish and hand it to the counter. Photograph the sheet first so you know which line is which.
🇹🇼 Country menu guide
How to read a Taiwanese menu and order food in Taiwan
Taiwanese eateries often hand you a paper order sheet printed in Traditional Chinese, and night-market stalls post menus on boards. Learn the size and add-on words, how to fill in the sheet, and the clear vegetarian labels Taiwan uses.
How ordering works in Taiwan
2. For here or to go
Staff often ask 內用 (eat here) or 外帶 (take away) first. Answer with one word.
3. Night markets
Order and pay at each stall, mostly in cash. Some stalls accept transit cards or mobile payments, but carry small bills.
4. Paying and tipping
Tipping is not customary. Some sit-down restaurants add a 10% service charge (服務費).
Words you will see on a Traditional Chinese menu
| On the menu | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 小 / 中 / 大 | xiǎo / zhōng / dà | Small / medium / large |
| 份 | fèn | Portion, serving |
| 內用 / 外帶 | nèiyòng / wàidài | Eat here / take away |
| 加 | jiā | Add (extra topping, often extra charge) |
| 辣 / 不辣 / 微辣 | là / bú là / wēi là | Spicy / not spicy / mildly spicy |
| 乾 / 湯 | gān / tāng | Dry (no soup) / with soup |
| 套餐 | tàocān | Set meal |
| 招牌 | zhāopái | House specialty |
| 時價 | shíjià | Market price |
| 全素 | quánsù | Vegan |
| 蛋奶素 | dànnǎisù | Vegetarian with egg and dairy |
| 服務費 | fúwùfèi | Service charge |
Dishes you will often see
牛肉麵
niúròu miàn
Braised beef noodle soup
滷肉飯
lǔròu fàn
Braised minced pork over rice
小籠包
xiǎolóngbāo
Soup dumplings filled with pork
蚵仔煎
ézǎi jiān
Oyster omelet with sweet-savory sauce
雞排
jīpái
Large fried chicken cutlet
鹽酥雞
yánsū jī
Popcorn chicken with basil and pepper salt
臭豆腐
chòu dòufu
Fermented tofu, fried or stewed
刈包
guàbāo
Steamed bun with braised pork, peanut powder, and cilantro
珍珠奶茶
zhēnzhū nǎichá
Bubble milk tea with tapioca pearls
芒果冰
mángguǒ bīng
Shaved ice with mango and condensed milk
Phrases to show restaurant staff
Show these on your screen. The written Traditional Chinese is more reliable than pronunciation.
我要這個。
Wǒ yào zhège.
I would like this one.
這個兩份。
Zhège liǎng fèn.
Two of these, please.
不要辣。
Bú yào là.
No spice, please.
內用。/ 外帶。
Nèiyòng. / Wàidài.
For here. / To go.
可以刷卡嗎？
Kěyǐ shuākǎ ma?
Can I pay by card?
請幫我結帳。
Qǐng bāng wǒ jiézhàng.
The bill, please.
Common questions
How do I fill in a Taiwanese order sheet?
Find the dish line, write the number of servings in the box beside it, add your table number if asked, and hand the sheet to the counter.
Is it easy to eat vegetarian in Taiwan?
Yes. Look for the character 素. 全素 means vegan, and 蛋奶素 means vegetarian with egg and dairy.
Do I tip in Taiwan?
No. Tipping is not customary, though some restaurants add a 10% service charge.