How to Find Hygienic Restaurants in China?

To find hygienic restaurants in China, you can make judgments by combining the following methods to ensure safe dining and a good experience:

1. Use Local Lifestyle Service Platforms

• Dianping (Mass点评)
  This is China's most mainstream restaurant review platform, covering cities nationwide, providing user ratings, real pictures, and detailed reviews.

  • Usage Tips:
  • Prioritize restaurants with ratings ≥4.0 (out of 5.0), and check the "quality review" tag.
  • Pay attention to keywords in reviews such as "clean," "hygienic," "fresh ingredients," and "standard service."
  • View user-uploaded photos of the kitchen or dining environment, avoiding restaurants with messy tables or broken tableware in the pictures.
  • Tips for Foreign Users:
  • The Dianping app supports partial English translation functions, and you can download the international version (registration possible with overseas phone numbers).
  • Combine Google Maps to view real-time ratings and comments for supplementary reference.

• Meituan or Ele.me
  Food delivery platforms can also be used to judge restaurant hygiene; merchants with high ratings and large sales are generally more reliable.

  • Check the "Food Safety File" on the merchant page, where some stores display their business licenses and food operation permits.

• TripAdvisor (Cat途鹰)
  A commonly used platform for international tourists, allowing you to filter out restaurants "suitable for foreign tourists," with reviews focusing more on hygiene and service details.

2. Pay Attention to Official Hygiene Ratings

• Hygiene Grade Disclosure
  Market supervision departments in China rate restaurants for hygiene (A/B/C grades), with A being the best.

  • Look for disclosure signs near the entrance or cash register of the restaurant (usually green or blue signs).
  • In some cities (such as Beijing and Shanghai), you can query restaurant ratings through the local market supervision bureau's website.

• "Transparent Kitchen" Identification
  Some restaurants participate in the "transparent kitchen" program, displaying kitchen operations through glass partitions or live monitoring; prioritize these restaurants.

3. On-site Observation Techniques

• Environmental Details:
  • Are the tables and floors clean without grease stains?
  • Are the utensils sealed and disinfected or provided in disposable packaging?
  • Do the waiters wear hats/masks, and are the kitchen staff dressed appropriately?
• Foot Traffic and Reputation:
  • Locally frequented restaurants are usually more reliable, especially well-known old brands or community stores during lunch hours.
  • Avoid restaurants that are too quiet or obviously attract tourists with low prices.
• Freshness of Ingredients:
  • Observe whether dishes are refrigerated, whether seafood is fresh, and whether meat has a normal color.

4. Recommended Chain Brands

• Large chain catering brands in China typically have strict hygiene management, such as:
  • Hot Pot: Haidi Lao (海底捞), Coucou Hotpot (湊湊火锅)
  • Chinese Cuisine: Xibei Youmian Village (西贝莜面村), Green Tea Restaurant (绿茶餐厅)
  • Fast Food: HEHEGU (和合谷), Zhen Kungfu (真功夫)

5. Special Scenario Recommendations

• Language Communication:
  • Use translation apps (like Google Translate) to ask the staff: "Does the kitchen have a hygiene license?"
• Allergies or Special Needs:
  • Save pre-written Chinese cue cards stating "I am allergic to peanuts" or "Needs to be fully cooked."
• Street Snacks:
  • Choose stalls that sell freshly made products with tidy appearances, avoiding raw foods or those exposed for long periods.

6. Useful Tools and Resources

• WeChat Mini Programs:
  • Search for "Dianping" or "Meituan Waimai" without needing to download separate apps.
• Hygiene Complaint Channels:
  • If you encounter food safety issues, call 12315 (consumer complaint hotline) or submit feedback via the "National 12315 Platform" WeChat mini program.

Precautions

• Avoid "low-price package" traps in tourist areas, as these packages may use cheap ingredients.
• Be cautious about cold dishes or salads during hot summer months, as bacteria can easily grow.
• It is recommended to carry disinfectant wipes or portable utensils just in case.