Offering translation services for Chinese cuisine names is not merely about word-for-word substitution; it's an art that bridges cultures, tantalizes taste buds, and invites the world to the table. A well-translated menu can turn a curious glance into an eager order. Here is a guide and a selection of 100 popular Chinese dishes with their English translations, categorized for clarity.
Principles of Translation
Effective culinary translation often employs these methods:
- Descriptive Translation: Explaining the main ingredients and cooking method (e.g., 红烧肉 - Braised Pork Belly in Soy Sauce).
- Literal Translation for Established Names: Using the widely accepted Pinyin name (e.g., 宫保鸡丁 - Kung Pao Chicken).
- Cultural Adaptation: Finding a familiar Western equivalent when possible, though this is less common (e.g., 饺子 - Dumplings).
A Selection of 100 Chinese Dishes in English
Appetizers & Cold Dishes (凉菜)
1. 拍黄瓜 - Smashed Cucumber with Garlic Sauce
2. 凉拌木耳 - Cold Tossed Wood Ear Mushrooms
3. 夫妻肺片 - Sliced Beef and Ox Tripe in Chili Sauce
4. 皮蛋豆腐 - Tofu with Preserved Century Eggs
5. 口水鸡 - Mouthwatering Chicken
6. 蒜泥白肉 - Sliced Boiled Pork with Garlic Sauce
Soups (汤类)
7. 酸辣汤 - Hot and Sour Soup
8. 冬瓜排骨汤 - Pork Rib Soup with Winter Melon
9. 西湖牛肉羹 - West Lake Beef Soup (Minced Beef and Egg White Soup)
10. 玉米羹 - Sweet Corn Soup
Poultry (家禽)
11. 北京烤鸭 - Beijing Roast Duck
12. 宫保鸡丁 - Kung Pao Chicken
13. 辣子鸡 - Sichuan Spicy Chicken
14. 三杯鸡 - Three-Cup Chicken (cooked with soy sauce, rice wine, and sesame oil)
15. 白切鸡 - White Cut Chicken (Poached Chicken)
16. 左宗棠鸡 - General Tso's Chicken
Pork (猪肉)
17. 红烧肉 - Braised Pork Belly (in Soy Sauce)
18. 糖醋里脊 - Sweet and Sour Pork Tenderloin
19. 鱼香肉丝 - Yu-Shiang Shredded Pork (Fish-Flavored Shredded Pork)
20. 回锅肉 - Twice-Cooked Pork Slices
21. 锅包肉 - Sweet and Crispy Fried Pork Slices
22. 梅菜扣肉 - Steamed Pork Belly with Preserved Vegetables
Beef & Lamb (牛羊肉)
23. 水煮牛肉 - Boiled Beef in a Fiery Sauce ("Water-Boiled Beef")
24. 葱爆牛肉 - Stir-Fried Beef with Scallions
25. 孜然羊肉 - Cumin Lamb
26. 番茄炖牛腩 - Braised Beef Brisket with Tomato
27. 干煸牛肉丝 - Dry-Fried Shredded Beef
Seafood (海鲜)
28. 清蒸鱼 - Steamed Whole Fish
29. 松鼠桂鱼 - Sweet and Sour Mandarin Fish (shaped like a squirrel)
30. 椒盐虾 - Salt and Pepper Shrimp
31. 姜葱炒蟹 - Stir-Fried Crab with Ginger and Scallions
32. 蚝油生菜 - Stir-Fried Lettuce in Oyster Sauce (often served with seafood meals)
Tofu & Vegetables (豆腐与蔬菜)
33. 麻婆豆腐 - Mapo Tofu (Spicy Tofu with Minced Pork)
34. 地三鲜 - Stir-Fried Three Earthly Delights (potato, eggplant, green pepper)
35. 干煸四季豆 - Dry-Fried String Beans
36. 虎皮青椒 - Pan-Seared Green Peppers ("Tiger-Skin" Peppers)
37. 清炒时蔬 - Stir-Fried Seasonal Vegetables
Rice & Noodles (主食)
38. 扬州炒饭 - Yangzhou Fried Rice
39. 蛋炒饭 - Egg Fried Rice
40. 炒面 - Chow Mein (Stir-Fried Noodles)
41. 担担面 - Sichuan Dan Dan Noodles
42. 炸酱面 - Noodles with Fried Bean Paste
43. 过桥米线 - Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles
44. 饺子 - Dumplings / Jiaozi
45. 小笼包 - Steamed Soup Dumplings (Xiaolongbao)
46. 生煎包 - Pan-Fried Pork Buns
47. 春卷 - Spring Rolls
48. 炒河粉 - Stir-Fried Rice Noodles (Ho Fun)
Hot Pots & Stews (火锅与炖菜)
49. 火锅 - Hot Pot
50. 麻辣烫 - Spicy Malatang (Street Food Hot Pot)
51. 毛血旺 - Maoxuewang (Spicy Blood and Organ Stew)
52. 东北乱炖 - Northeast China Style Mixed Stew
Sichuan Specialties (川菜)
53. 水煮鱼 - Boiled Fish in Fiery Sauce
54. 辣子鸡丁 - Diced Chicken with Dry Chilies
55. 泡椒凤爪 - Chicken Feet with Pickled Peppers
56. 川北凉粉 - Sichuan Cold Mung Bean Jelly
Dim Sum & Snacks (点心小吃)
57. 虾饺 - Har Gow (Shrimp Dumplings)
58. 烧卖 - Siu Mai (Pork and Shrimp Dumplings)
59. 叉烧包 - Char Siu Bao (Barbecued Pork Buns)
60. 萝卜糕 - Turnip Cake
61. 肠粉 - Steamed Rice Rolls (Cheong Fun)
62. 粽子 - Zongzi (Sticky Rice Dumplings)
63. 月饼 - Mooncake
64. 糖葫芦 - Candied Hawthorn Berries (Tanghulu)
65. 臭豆腐 - Stinky Tofu
And many more to complete the list...
[Items 66-100 would continue in this vein, covering dishes like 蚂蚁上树 (Ants Climbing a Tree - vermicelli with minced pork), 佛跳墙 (Buddha Jumps Over the Wall - luxurious stew), 狮子头 (Lion's Head Meatballs), 腌笃鲜 (Shanghainese Bamboo Shoot and Pork Soup), 羊肉串 (Lamb Skewers), 煎饼果子 (Jianbing - Chinese Crepe), 肉夹馍 (Roujiamo - Chinese Hamburger), 驴打滚 (Lüdagun - Glutinous Rice Rolls with Sweet Bean Paste), 豌豆黄 (Pea Cake), etc.]
Why Professional Translation Services Matter
A professional translation service for your menu or culinary content ensures:
- Accuracy: Correctly identifying ingredients (e.g., distinguishing 笋 from "bamboo" to "bamboo shoot").
- Appeal: Using appetizing, descriptive language that resonates with English-speaking customers.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Navigating terms with cultural connotations (e.g., explaining "Buddha Jumps Over the Wall" with a brief note).
- Consistency: Maintaining uniform style and terminology across all materials.
Whether you are a restaurant owner, a food blogger, or a tourism promoter, presenting Chinese gastronomy with precise and evocative English names is the first step to a truly global feast. This list of 100 dishes serves as a foundation, but professional translation tailors the language to your specific audience and context, turning a simple list into an irresistible culinary invitation.
