City and Menu History
How to Read a Chinatown Menu
A Chinatown menu makes more sense when the restaurant format is identified first: bakery, barbecue window, dim sum hall, noodle shop, seafood restaurant, takeout counter, or late-night institution.
Practical frame
| Frame | What it means |
|---|---|
| Bakery | Look for buns, egg tarts, sponge cakes, wife cakes, and milk tea. |
| Barbecue window | Look for roast duck, char siu, crispy pork, soy sauce chicken, rice plates, and noodle soups. |
| Dim sum hall | Look for steamed, fried, baked, rice-roll, congee, and dessert sections. |
| Noodle shop | Look for broth type, noodle type, wontons, roast meats, and toppings. |
| Seafood restaurant | Look for live seafood, steamed fish, banquet dishes, soups, and greens. |
How to use this guide
Start with the restaurant format, then interpret the dish names. A menu from a bakery, barbecue window, dim sum hall, seafood restaurant, or noodle shop should not be read with the same expectations.