🍚 Chinese Food & Cooking Vocabulary 食物与烹饪

100 essential Mandarin Chinese words for the Food & Cooking scene, each with pinyin, English meaning, HSK level and native speaker audio, plus example sentences. Tap 🔊 to listen.

吃 chī HSK 1
to eat
你想吃什么？nǐ xiǎng chī shén me?What do you want to eat?
做饭 zuò fàn HSK 2
to cook; to prepare a meal
妈妈每天在家做饭。mā ma měi tiān zài jiā zuò fànMom cooks at home every day.
饭 fàn HSK 1
rice; meal
我们去吃饭吧。wǒ men qù chī fàn ba.Let's go eat.
苹果 píng guǒ HSK 1
apple
这个苹果很甜。zhè ge píng guǒ hěn tián.This apple is very sweet.
菜 cài HSK 1
dish; vegetable
这个菜很好吃。zhè ge cài hěn hǎo chī.This dish is delicious.
鸡蛋 jī dàn HSK 1
(chicken) egg — the everyday word for eggs you eat
我早上吃一个鸡蛋。wǒ zǎo shang chī yí gè jī dàn.I eat an egg in the morning.
米饭 mǐ fàn HSK 1
(cooked) rice
我喜欢吃米饭。wǒ xǐ huan chī mǐ fàn.I like eating rice.
包子 bāo zi HSK 1
steamed stuffed bun
我早上吃了两个包子。wǒ zǎo shang chī le liǎng gè bāo ziI ate two steamed buns this morning.
吃饭 chī fàn HSK 1
to eat (a meal)
我们一起去吃饭wǒ men yì qǐ qù chī fànLet's go eat together.
面包 miàn bāo HSK 1
bread
我喜欢吃面包wǒ xǐ huan chī miàn bāoI like to eat bread.
面条儿 miàn tiáor HSK 1
noodles
我想吃面条儿wǒ xiǎng chī miàn tiáorI want to eat noodles.
肉 ròu HSK 1
meat
我喜欢吃肉wǒ xǐ huan chī ròuI like eating meat.
水果 shuǐ guǒ HSK 1
fruit
我喜欢吃水果wǒ xǐ huan chī shuǐ guǒI like eating fruit.
晚饭 wǎn fàn HSK 1
dinner; supper
我们一起吃晚饭吧wǒ men yì qǐ chī wǎn fàn baLet's have dinner together.
午饭 wǔ fàn HSK 1
lunch (everyday spoken word: 吃午饭)
中午我们去吃午饭zhōng wǔ wǒ men qù chī wǔ fànAt noon we go to have lunch.
早饭 zǎo fàn HSK 1
breakfast (everyday spoken word: 吃早饭)
我每天吃早饭wǒ měi tiān chī zǎo fànI eat breakfast every day.
面 miàn HSK 2
noodles; face; surface; side
我中午想吃一碗面。wǒ zhōng wǔ xiǎng chī yì wǎn miànI want to eat a bowl of noodles for lunch.
油 yóu HSK 2
oil; grease
这个菜放了太多油。zhè ge cài fàng le tài duō yóuThis dish has too much oil in it.
蛋 dàn HSK 2
egg (generic: any bird's egg; 鸭蛋 duck egg, 蛋糕 cake)
我早上吃了两个蛋。wǒ zǎo shang chī le liǎng ge dànI ate two eggs this morning.
食物 shí wù HSK 2
food
这里的食物很新鲜。zhè lǐ de shí wù hěn xīn xiānThe food here is very fresh.
米 mǐ HSK 2
rice (uncooked); meter (unit)
家里的米快没了。jiā lǐ de mǐ kuài méi leWe're almost out of rice at home.
早餐 zǎo cān HSK 2
breakfast (formal: hotels, menus, buffet breakfast)
我每天都吃早餐。wǒ měi tiān dōu chī zǎo cānI eat breakfast every day.
晚餐 wǎn cān HSK 2
dinner; evening meal
今天的晚餐很丰盛。jīn tiān de wǎn cān hěn fēng shèngToday's dinner is very lavish.
午餐 wǔ cān HSK 2
lunch (formal: menus, invitations, business lunch)
我们一起去吃午餐吧。wǒ men yì qǐ qù chī wǔ cān baLet's go have lunch together.
饱 bǎo HSK 2
full (after eating); satiated
我吃得很饱了。wǒ chī de hěn bǎo leI'm very full.
快餐 kuài cān HSK 2
fast food; quick meal
我中午常吃快餐。wǒ zhōng wǔ cháng chī kuài cānI often eat fast food at noon.
饺子 jiǎo zi HSK 2
dumpling; pot-sticker
过年的时候我们都吃饺子。guò nián de shí hou wǒ men dōu chī jiǎo ziDuring the New Year, we all eat dumplings.
中餐 zhōng cān HSK 2
Chinese food; Chinese meal
我很喜欢吃中餐。wǒ hěn xǐ huan chī zhōng cānI really like eating Chinese food.
方便面 fāng biàn miàn HSK 2
instant noodles
晚上我常常吃方便面。wǎn shang wǒ cháng cháng chī fāng biàn miànI often eat instant noodles at night.
西餐 xī cān HSK 2
Western-style food; Western cuisine
今天晚上我们去吃西餐吧。jīn tiān wǎn shàng wǒ men qù chī xī cān baLet's go eat Western food tonight.
糖 táng HSK 3
sugar; candy; sweets
咖啡里放太多糖了。kā fēi lǐ fàng tài duō táng leThere's too much sugar in the coffee.
食品 shí pǐn HSK 3
food; foodstuff; provisions
超市里的食品种类很多。chāo shì lǐ de shí pǐn zhǒng lèi hěn duōThere are many kinds of food in the supermarket.
汤 tāng HSK 3
soup; broth
妈妈煮了一锅热汤。mā ma zhǔ le yì guō rè tāngMom cooked a pot of hot soup.
香蕉 xiāng jiāo HSK 3
banana
我每天早上吃一根香蕉。wǒ měi tiān zǎo shang chī yì gēn xiāng jiāoI eat a banana every morning.
美食 měi shí HSK 3
delicious food; gourmet food; delicacy
这条街上有很多美食。zhè tiáo jiē shàng yǒu hěn duō měi shíThere's a lot of delicious food on this street.
白菜 bái cài HSK 3
Chinese cabbage; pak choi
妈妈买了一棵白菜。mā ma mǎi le yì kē bái càiMom bought a Chinese cabbage.
切 qiē HSK 4
to cut; to slice
妈妈把苹果切成了几块。mā ma bǎ píng guǒ qiē chéng le jǐ kuàiMom cut the apple into several pieces.
冰 bīng HSK 4
ice; to chill; icy cold
请给我一杯加冰的水。qǐng gěi wǒ yì bēi jiā bīng de shuǐPlease give me a glass of water with ice.
巧克力 qiǎo kè lì HSK 4
chocolate
她最喜欢吃巧克力了。tā zuì xǐ huan chī qiǎo kè lì leShe loves eating chocolate the most.
玉米 yù mǐ HSK 4
corn; maize
我最爱吃烤玉米。wǒ zuì ài chī kǎo yù mǐI love eating grilled corn the most.
盐 yán HSK 4
salt
这道菜的盐放得太多了。zhè dào cài de yán fàng de tài duō leToo much salt was put in this dish.
瓜 guā HSK 4
melon; gourd
夏天吃瓜最解渴了。xià tiān chī guā zuì jiě kě leIn summer, eating melon quenches thirst best.
粮食 liáng shi HSK 4
grain; food; provisions
农民今年的粮食收成很好。nóng mín jīn nián de liáng shi shōu chéng hěn hǎoThe farmers had a good grain harvest this year.
豆腐 dòu fu HSK 4
tofu; bean curd
这家饭馆的麻婆豆腐很好吃。zhè jiā fàn guǎn de má pó dòu fu hěn hǎo chīThe mapo tofu at this restaurant is delicious.
酸奶 suān nǎi HSK 4
yogurt
我早餐喜欢喝一杯酸奶。wǒ zǎo cān xǐ huan hē yì bēi suān nǎiI like to drink a cup of yogurt for breakfast.
零食 líng shí HSK 4
snacks; between-meal nibbles
她书包里装满了零食。tā shū bāo lǐ zhuāng mǎn le líng shíHer backpack is stuffed full of snacks.
西瓜 xī guā HSK 4
watermelon
夏天我最爱吃西瓜。xià tiān wǒ zuì ài chī xī guāIn summer I love eating watermelon most.
海鲜 hǎi xiān HSK 4
seafood
这家餐厅的海鲜很新鲜。zhè jiā cān tīng de hǎi xiān hěn xīn xiānThe seafood at this restaurant is very fresh.
小吃 xiǎo chī HSK 4
snack; local delicacy
这条街上的小吃特别有名。zhè tiáo jiē shang de xiǎo chī tè bié yǒu míngThe snacks on this street are especially famous.
黄瓜 huáng guā HSK 4
cucumber
我买了两根黄瓜做沙拉。wǒ mǎi le liǎng gēn huáng guā zuò shā lāI bought two cucumbers to make a salad.
烧 shāo HSK 4
to burn; to cook/stew; to have a fever
妈妈正在厨房里烧菜。mā ma zhèng zài chú fáng lǐ shāo càiMom is cooking in the kitchen.
蛋糕 dàn gāo HSK 5
cake
妈妈给我做了一个生日蛋糕。mā ma gěi wǒ zuò le yí gè shēng rì dàn gāoMom made me a birthday cake.
锅 guō HSK 5
pot; pan; wok
妈妈用锅煮了一大锅汤。mā ma yòng guō zhǔ le yí dà guō tāngMom cooked a big pot of soup with the pot.
饼 bǐng HSK 5
flat cake; pancake; pastry
我早上吃了一张饼。wǒ zǎo shang chī le yì zhāng bǐngI ate a flatcake this morning.
蔬菜 shū cài HSK 5
vegetables
多吃蔬菜对身体好。duō chī shū cài duì shēn tǐ hǎoEating more vegetables is good for your health.
土豆 tǔ dòu HSK 5
potato
妈妈做了一盘土豆丝。mā ma zuò le yì pán tǔ dòu sīMom made a plate of shredded potatoes.
饮食 yǐn shí HSK 5
diet; food and drink
健康的饮食对身体很重要jiàn kāng de yǐn shí duì shēn tǐ hěn zhòng yàoA healthy diet is very important for the body.
桃 táo HSK 5
peach
夏天的桃又甜又多汁。xià tiān de táo yòu tián yòu duō zhīSummer peaches are both sweet and juicy.
饼干 bǐng gān HSK 5
biscuit; cracker; cookie
她买了一盒巧克力饼干。tā mǎi le yì hé qiǎo kè lì bǐng gānShe bought a box of chocolate cookies.
葡萄 pú tao HSK 5
grape
这串葡萄又大又甜。zhè chuàn pú tao yòu dà yòu tiánThis bunch of grapes is big and sweet.
梨 lí HSK 5
pear
这个梨又甜又多汁。zhè ge lí yòu tián yòu duō zhīThis pear is sweet and juicy.
加热 jiā rè HSK 5
to heat; to warm up
把牛奶加热一下再喝。bǎ niú nǎi jiā rè yí xià zài hēHeat the milk up before drinking it.
烤肉 kǎo ròu HSK 5
barbecue; roast meat
周末我们一起去吃烤肉吧。zhōu mò wǒ men yì qǐ qù chī kǎo ròu baLet's go eat barbecue together this weekend.
火腿 huǒ tuǐ HSK 5
ham
早餐我做了火腿三明治。zǎo cān wǒ zuò le huǒ tuǐ sān míng zhìI made a ham sandwich for breakfast.
水分 shuǐ fèn HSK 5
moisture content; water content; (fig.) exaggeration; padding
这种水果水分特别多。zhè zhǒng shuǐ guǒ shuǐ fèn tè bié duōThis kind of fruit has especially high water content.
西红柿 xī hóng shì HSK 5
tomato (the common word, esp. in northern China)
我最爱吃西红柿炒鸡蛋。wǒ zuì ài chī xī hóng shì chǎo jī dànMy favorite dish is stir-fried tomato with eggs.
香肠 xiāng cháng HSK 5
sausage
早餐我煎了两根香肠。zǎo cān wǒ jiān le liǎng gēn xiāng chángFor breakfast I fried two sausages.
寿司 shòu sī HSK 5
sushi
我们晚上去吃寿司吧。wǒ men wǎn shàng qù chī shòu sī baLet's go eat sushi tonight.
水产品 shuǐ chǎn pǐn HSK 5
aquatic products (fish, seafood, etc.)
这个市场卖各种新鲜的水产品。zhè ge shì chǎng mài gè zhǒng xīn xiān de shuǐ chǎn pǐnThis market sells all kinds of fresh aquatic products.
农产品 nóng chǎn pǐn HSK 5
agricultural produce; farm products
这里的农产品又新鲜又便宜。zhè lǐ de nóng chǎn pǐn yòu xīn xiān yòu pián yiThe agricultural produce here is both fresh and cheap.
盒饭 hé fàn HSK 5
boxed meal; bento
中午我随便买了个盒饭。zhōng wǔ wǒ suí biàn mǎi le ge hé fànAt noon I just grabbed a boxed meal.
烤鸭 kǎo yā HSK 5
roast duck
来北京一定要尝尝烤鸭。lái běi jīng yí dìng yào cháng chang kǎo yāWhen you come to Beijing, you must try the roast duck.
月饼 yuè bǐng HSK 5
mooncake (for the Mid-Autumn Festival)
中秋节我们全家一起吃月饼。zhōng qiū jié wǒ men quán jiā yì qǐ chī yuè bǐngAt the Mid-Autumn Festival our whole family eats mooncakes together.
豆制品 dòu zhì pǐn HSK 5
soybean product; bean products
豆腐是常见的豆制品。dòu fu shì cháng jiàn de dòu zhì pǐnTofu is a common soybean product.
电饭锅 diàn fàn guō HSK 5
electric rice cooker
用电饭锅煮饭又快又方便。yòng diàn fàn guō zhǔ fàn yòu kuài yòu fāng biànCooking rice with an electric rice cooker is fast and convenient.
煮 zhǔ HSK 6
to boil; to cook; to stew
妈妈正在厨房里煮饺子。mā ma zhèng zài chú fáng lǐ zhǔ jiǎo ziMom is boiling dumplings in the kitchen.
餐 cān HSK 6
meal; to eat; (measure word for meals)
我们一天吃三餐。wǒ men yì tiān chī sān cānWe eat three meals a day.
炸 zhá HSK 6
to deep-fry
妈妈在厨房炸鸡翅。mā ma zài chú fáng zhá jī chìMom is deep-frying chicken wings in the kitchen.
酱 jiàng HSK 6
sauce; thick paste; jam
这道菜要蘸一点甜酱才好吃。zhè dào cài yào zhàn yì diǎn tián jiàng cái hǎo chīThis dish tastes good only when dipped in a bit of sweet sauce.
薯条 shǔ tiáo HSK 6
french fries; chips
我想吃汉堡配薯条。wǒ xiǎng chī hàn bǎo pèi shǔ tiáoI want a burger with fries.
花生 huā shēng HSK 6
peanut; groundnut
我喜欢喝啤酒配花生。wǒ xǐ huān hē pí jiǔ pèi huā shēngI like beer with peanuts.
粥 zhōu HSK 6
congee; porridge; gruel
生病的时候我喜欢喝粥。shēng bìng de shí hou wǒ xǐ huan hē zhōuWhen I'm sick I like to eat congee.
炒 chǎo HSK 6
to stir-fry; to sauté; to speculate; to hype
妈妈正在厨房里炒青菜。mā ma zhèng zài chú fáng lǐ chǎo qīng càiMom is stir-frying vegetables in the kitchen.
泡 pào HSK 6
to soak; to steep (tea); to brew
他每天早上都要泡一杯茶tā měi tiān zǎo shang dōu yào pào yì bēi cháHe brews a cup of tea every morning.
果酱 guǒ jiàng HSK 6
jam
她在面包上抹了一层草莓果酱。tā zài miàn bāo shàng mǒ le yì céng cǎo méi guǒ jiàngShe spread a layer of strawberry jam on the bread.
壶 hú HSK 6
pot; kettle; (classifier for pots of liquid)
我给你泡一壶茶吧。wǒ gěi nǐ pào yì hú chá baLet me make you a pot of tea.
茄子 qié zi HSK 6
eggplant; aubergine
妈妈今天用茄子做了红烧菜。mā ma jīn tiān yòng qié zi zuò le hóng shāo càiMom made a braised dish with eggplant today.
酱油 jiàng yóu HSK 6
soy sauce
炒菜时别忘了放点酱油。chǎo cài shí bié wàng le fàng diǎn jiàng yóuDon't forget to add some soy sauce when stir-frying.
馒头 mán tou HSK 6
steamed bun (plain)
北方人早饭常吃馒头配咸菜。běi fāng rén zǎo fàn cháng chī mán tou pèi xián càiNortherners often eat steamed buns with pickles for breakfast.
奶粉 nǎi fěn HSK 6
powdered milk; milk powder
妈妈给宝宝冲了一瓶奶粉。mā ma gěi bǎo bao chōng le yì píng nǎi fěnMom made a bottle of powdered milk for the baby.
乳制品 rǔ zhì pǐn HSK 6
dairy products
我对乳制品有点过敏。wǒ duì rǔ zhì pǐn yǒu diǎn guò mǐnI'm a little allergic to dairy products.
三明治 sān míng zhì HSK 6
sandwich
我中午随便吃了个三明治。wǒ zhōng wǔ suí biàn chī le gè sān míng zhìI just grabbed a sandwich for lunch.
食欲 shí yù HSK 6
appetite
天气太热，我一点食欲都没有。tiān qì tài rè wǒ yì diǎn shí yù dōu méi yǒuIt's too hot, I have no appetite at all.
薯片 shǔ piàn HSK 6
potato chips
看电影时她最爱吃薯片。kàn diàn yǐng shí tā zuì ài chī shǔ piànShe loves eating potato chips while watching movies.
微波炉 wēi bō lú HSK 6
microwave oven
用微波炉把剩饭热一下吧。yòng wēi bō lú bǎ shèng fàn rè yí xià baUse the microwave to heat up the leftovers.
小麦 xiǎo mài HSK 6
wheat
北方大片农田都种着小麦。běi fāng dà piàn nóng tián dōu zhòng zhe xiǎo màiLarge stretches of farmland in the north are planted with wheat.
醋 cù HSK 6
vinegar; jealousy (in romance)
这道菜要放一点醋才好吃。zhè dào cài yào fàng yì diǎn cù cái hǎo chīThis dish tastes good only with a little vinegar added.
大米 dà mǐ HSK 6
(uncooked husked) rice
东北的大米特别香。dōng běi de dà mǐ tè bié xiāngRice from the Northeast is especially fragrant.
番茄 fān qié HSK 6
tomato (southern/written; in 番茄酱 = ketchup)
妈妈用番茄炒了鸡蛋。mā ma yòng fān qié chǎo le jī dànMom stir-fried eggs with tomatoes.
熟 shú HSK 2
ripe; cooked; familiar
这些苹果还没熟。zhè xiē píng guǒ hái méi shúThese apples aren't ripe yet.

FAQ

How many Chinese food & cooking words are in this list?

100 words, including HSK 1: 15, HSK 2: 16, HSK 3: 6, HSK 4: 15, HSK 5: 24, HSK 6: 24. Every word has playable native audio and example sentences.

Are these words useful for the HSK?

Yes — every word is tagged with its HSK level (HSK 1–6 or 7+), so you can prioritise words for your target level.

What is the best way to memorise them?

Learn them as a scene group with spaced repetition: listen and repeat, study the example sentence, review the next day. The companion app has built-in SRS and four quiz types.

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