Practical Guide on How to Handle Spicy Food and Request Reduced Spiciness

When traveling in China, spicy food is an important part of the culinary culture in many regions (such as Sichuan, Hunan, Guizhou, and Yunnan specialties). However, if you are not used to eating spicy food or are sensitive to spiciness, here are detailed solutions:

One: Communicate in Advance to Reduce Spiciness

1. Clearly Request When Ordering
2. Chinese Expression: You can directly tell the server "no spicy" or "mildly spicy" (Bù yào là / Wēi là).
3. Use Translation Tools: If there is a language barrier, it is recommended to input "please put less chili" or "I don't eat spicy food" into a translation app on your phone and show it to the server.

4. Emphasize Special Needs: For example, "I am allergic to chili" (Wǒ duì làjiāo guòmǐn) or "Please do not add chili at all" (Qǐng wánquán bù fàng làjiāo).

5. Pay Attention to Regional Differences

6. Sichuan/Hunan Areas: The local "mildly spicy" may still be quite spicy, so it is recommended to directly request "no spicy" or "clear soup".
7. Guangdong/Jiangsu-Zhejiang Areas: The dishes themselves tend to be light, but be cautious about individual dishes that may contain chili (such as Cantonese steamed fish which might come with chili sauce).

Two: Choose Suitable Dishes

1. Recommended Non-Spicy Cuisine
2. Cantonese Cuisine: Focuses on steaming and boiling (such as White-Cut Chicken, Steamed Fish).
3. Huaiyang Cuisine: Has a mild taste (such as Lion's Head, Cooked Bean Curd Threads).

4. Northern Chinese Noodles: Dumplings, buns, and fried sauce noodles are usually not spicy (but confirm whether the dipping sauce contains chili).

5. Avoid "Hidden Chili"

6. Common Spicy Seasonings: Lao Gan Ma, Douban Sauce, Chili Oil, Sichuan Pepper Oil may be added to seemingly bland dishes (such as fried rice, cold mixed dishes).
7. Special Reminder: Ask "Does this dish contain chili/Sichuan pepper?" (Zhè dào cài lǐ yǒu làjiāo/huājiāo ma?).

Three: Practical Tips for Dealing with Spiciness

1. Methods to Alleviate Spiciness
2. Drinks: Ice milk, yogurt, or sugary beverages (such as soy milk, coconut juice) can effectively neutralize spiciness; avoid drinking water (which may exacerbate the burning sensation).
3. Accompanying Starches: Pair with rice, steamed bun, or noodles to absorb spicy oil.

4. Sweet Treats as Buffer: After meals, eat fruits (such as watermelon, banana) or desserts (such as ice jelly, fermented glutinous rice balls).

5. Emergency Handling

6. If you accidentally consume overly spicy food, ask the restaurant for ice cubes to hold in your mouth, or buy yogurt from a convenience store to alleviate the sensation.

Four: Restaurant Selection and Precautions

1. Plan Restaurant Types in Advance
2. Chain Restaurants: Such as "Xibei Youmiancun", "Din Tai Fung", etc., where spiciness is easier to control.

3. International Brand Hotel Catering: Usually provides customized flavor services.

4. Use Food Ordering Apps

5. Meituan/Dazhong Dianping: When checking dish details, filter for "non-spicy" tags, or confirm actual spiciness through reviews.
6. Online Order Notes: When placing an order online, clearly note "No Spicy" in either English or Chinese (some platforms support uploading translated screenshots).

Five: Handling Special Situations

1. Street Snack Precautions
2. For Jianbing, skewers, etc., actively remind the vendor "no chili sauce" (Bù yào làjiāo jiàng).

3. Observe the condiment station: Avoid red sauces and chili powder when adding condiments yourself.

4. Customization for Hot Pot/Malatang

5. Choose "Clear Soup" or "Mushroom Soup", and clearly inform the server not to provide spicy dipping sauces.
6. When self-selecting ingredients, avoid those marked with chili symbols (such as red labels).

Six: Backup Suggestions

1. Carry Anti-Spice Foods: Bring small packs of milk or candy for emergencies.
2. Learn Key Characters: Remember the Chinese characters for "spicy" (là) and "pepper" (jiāo) to easily identify warnings on menus.