食物 (shíwù) – Food
This word is a general term for food and is used to refer to anything edible.
这家餐厅的食物很美味。
(This restaurant’s food is very delicious.)

餐厅 (cāntīng) – Restaurant
A place where you can buy and eat a meal.
我想去一家中国餐厅用餐。
(I want to dine at a Chinese restaurant.)

点菜 (diǎn cài) – To order food
This is what you do when you choose dishes at a restaurant.
我们已经点菜了。
(We have already ordered our food.)

筷子 (kuàizi) – Chopsticks
The traditional eating utensils in China used for picking up food.
我不太会用筷子。
(I’m not very good at using chopsticks.)

味道 (wèidao) – Taste, flavor
This word describes the sensory impression of food or other substances in the mouth.
这个菜的味道很特别。
(The flavor of this dish is very unique.)

饿 (è) – Hungry
A feeling experienced when one needs to eat.
我饿了，我们现在吃饭吧。
(I’m hungry, let’s eat now.)

饱 (bǎo) – Full, satisfied after eating
This word is used when you have eaten enough and can’t eat anymore.
吃完这些我就饱了。
(I’ll be full after eating all of these.)

服务员 (fúwùyuán) – Waiter/Waitress
The person who takes your order and serves your food in a restaurant.
服务员，买单。
(Waiter, the bill please.)

买单 (mǎidān) – To pay the bill
This is what you ask for when you want to pay for your meal at the end of dining out.
我们吃完了，可以买单吗？
(We have finished eating, can we pay the bill?)

口味 (kǒuwèi) – A person’s preference in food flavors
This term describes someone’s personal taste or preference for specific flavors in food.
我的口味可能有点重。
(My taste might be a bit strong.)

自助餐 (zìzhù cān) – Buffet
A meal consisting of several dishes from which guests serve themselves.
我们去吃自助餐，可以尝很多种食物。
(Let’s go to a buffet where we can try many kinds of food.)

By learning these essential Chinese words related to food and dining, you’ll find that ordering food, describing flavors, and navigating restaurant scenarios become a lot easier. Plus, it will greatly enrich your dining experiences in Chinese-speaking environments!