When you're at a Chinese restaurant, especially one that serves set meals or bento boxes, you'll often encounter the term 配菜 (pèicài). This refers to the side dishes that accompany the main dish. Unlike Western meals where side dishes might be ordered separately, in China, 配菜 are typically smaller portions of vegetables, tofu, or other simple preparations that are included to balance the meal.
Think of them as the supporting actors to the main dish's star. They add variety, nutrition, and often color to your plate. So, next time you order a main course and it comes with a few small, interesting additions, you'll know those are your 配菜.
§ What does 配菜 (pèicài) mean and when do people use it?
Let's talk about food, specifically the delicious extras that come with your main meal: side dishes. In Chinese, the word for 'side dish' is 配菜 (pèicài). It's a really useful word to know, especially when you're ordering food, cooking, or just talking about meals in general.
- DEFINITION
- Side dish. This refers to any dish served alongside a main course. Think of things like stir-fried vegetables, a small salad, or even rice if it's not the primary focus of the meal.
You'll hear and use 配菜 (pèicài) in a few common situations. The most obvious is when you're at a restaurant. If you order a main course, you might be asked if you want any 配菜 (pèicài) to go with it. Or, you might see a menu that lists different options for 配菜 (pèicài).
这个套餐包括一个主菜和两个配菜。
Translation hint: This set meal includes one main dish and two side dishes.
Another common scenario is when you're cooking at home or discussing a meal with friends. You might ask, 'What side dishes should we make?' or say, 'I'm just going to prepare a few simple side dishes tonight.'
晚餐除了鱼，我还做了几个配菜。
Translation hint: Besides fish for dinner, I also made a few side dishes.
It's also used in a broader sense when describing the components of a complete meal. For instance, when describing a traditional Chinese meal, you might talk about the main dish and the various 配菜 (pèicài) that balance the flavors and textures.
这份便当有肉、米饭和三种不同的配菜。
Translation hint: This bento box has meat, rice, and three different side dishes.
Understanding 配菜 (pèicài) helps you navigate menus, order food confidently, and communicate clearly about meals. It's a practical word that reflects how Chinese cuisine often features a variety of smaller dishes to complement the main components. Remember, it's not just about what's on the plate, but how the different parts work together to create a balanced meal.
- When ordering at a restaurant: 你要加什么配菜吗？ (Nǐ yào jiā shénme pèicài ma? - Do you want to add any side dishes?)
- When cooking: 今晚我只做了一个主菜，没有时间做配菜。 (Jīnwǎn wǒ zhǐ zuòle yīgè zhǔcài, méiyǒu shíjiān zuò pèicài. - Tonight I only made one main dish, no time to make side dishes.)
- Describing a meal: 他们的午餐有很多好吃的配菜。 (Tāmen de wǔcān yǒu hěn duō hǎochī de pèicài. - Their lunch has many delicious side dishes.)
Keep an eye out for this word and start using it in your conversations. It's a simple term, but it opens up a whole world of culinary discussion!
셀프 테스트 24 질문
这份套餐包含一份主食和两份___。
Context indicates the need for a side dish to accompany a main course in a set meal.
我喜欢吃米饭，但是不确定今天想点什么___。
The speaker has decided on rice (main staple) and is now considering what to have with it.
这家餐厅的特色是川菜，___有很多选择，都很好吃。
The restaurant specializes in Sichuan cuisine, and it's praising the variety and taste of the accompanying dishes.
请问，这份烤鱼的___是什么？
The question is asking about what comes with the grilled fish (main dish).
为了健康，我的午餐通常会选择一份主食和两份蔬菜___。
The speaker wants to add vegetable dishes to their main meal for health reasons, indicating they are side dishes.
这个套餐里，除了主菜，你还可以选择两种___。
The sentence clearly states that in addition to the main course, there's a choice of two other items, implying they are accompanying dishes.
The waiter is being asked for side dish recommendations for a main course.
Someone ordered roasted chicken and noticed that the side dishes are missing.
A set meal includes a main dish and three self-selected side dishes.
Read this aloud:
这份牛排的配菜是什么？
Focus: 配菜
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
我想要一个素的配菜，有推荐的吗？
Focus: 素的配菜
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
这家餐厅的配菜都很有特色，尤其是他们的凉拌黄瓜。
Focus: 配菜都很有特色
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Imagine you're reviewing a restaurant. Describe a main dish you ordered and one side dish (配菜) that complemented it perfectly. Explain why they paired well.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我点的主菜是烤鸭，皮脆肉嫩。配菜选择了蒜蓉西兰花，清淡爽口，正好解了烤鸭的油腻，味道搭配得非常完美。
You are preparing a traditional Chinese meal for guests. List three main dishes and suggest a suitable side dish (配菜) for each. Explain your choices.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
为了招待客人，我准备了红烧肉、清蒸鱼和麻婆豆腐。红烧肉的配菜我会选炒青菜，平衡油腻；清蒸鱼配凉拌黄瓜，增加清爽感；麻婆豆腐可以配米饭，因为米饭是最好的配菜。
Discuss the importance of '配菜' (side dishes) in Chinese cuisine. How do they contribute to the overall dining experience?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
在中国菜中，配菜的重要性不言而喻。它们不仅能平衡主菜的口感和味道，还能增加餐桌的丰富性，使整顿饭的营养更均衡，为食客带来更愉悦的用餐体验。
根据文章，为什么很多食客认为麻辣香锅需要清淡的配菜？
Read this passage:
这家餐厅的招牌菜是麻辣香锅，顾客可以根据自己的喜好选择食材。但很多食客都觉得，如果没有一道清淡的配菜，比如蒜蓉空心菜或者拍黄瓜，麻辣香锅吃起来会很腻。可见，一道好的配菜能够提升主菜的整体风味。
根据文章，为什么很多食客认为麻辣香锅需要清淡的配菜？
文章中明确提到“如果没有一道清淡的配菜...麻辣香锅吃起来会很腻”，所以清淡的配菜是为了解腻。
文章中明确提到“如果没有一道清淡的配菜...麻辣香锅吃起来会很腻”，所以清淡的配菜是为了解腻。
文章指出，在家常菜中，“素”作为配菜的主要作用是什么？
Read this passage:
在中国的家常菜中，往往会有“一荤一素”的说法，这里的“素”通常指的就是配菜。它不仅是为了增加营养，更是为了让饭菜的色彩和味道更协调。例如，红烧肉常配青菜，鱼香肉丝则可能配米饭或一些清爽的小菜。
文章指出，在家常菜中，“素”作为配菜的主要作用是什么？
文章提到“它不仅是为了增加营养，更是为了让饭菜的色彩和味道更协调”，所以这是主要作用。
文章提到“它不仅是为了增加营养，更是为了让饭菜的色彩和味道更协调”，所以这是主要作用。
在酒店宴席中，设计主菜和配菜的搭配时需要考虑哪些因素？
Read this passage:
酒店宴席的菜品设计非常讲究，主菜和配菜的搭配要考虑到食材的季节性、宾客的口味偏好以及整体宴席的主题。一道成功的配菜，有时甚至能成为整道菜的点睛之笔，让食客印象深刻。
在酒店宴席中，设计主菜和配菜的搭配时需要考虑哪些因素？
文章中明确列出了“食材的季节性、宾客的口味偏好以及整体宴席的主题”是需要考虑的因素。
文章中明确列出了“食材的季节性、宾客的口味偏好以及整体宴席的主题”是需要考虑的因素。
The side dishes here are always a pleasant surprise, especially their cold cucumber salad.
Although the main dish is delicious, it feels incomplete without side dishes.
Excuse me, which side dishes are included in this set meal? I'd like to order an extra stir-fried seasonal vegetable.
Read this aloud:
您觉得这道主菜和什么样的配菜搭配最合适？
Focus: 配菜
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
在中国，常见的家常配菜有哪些？
Focus: 家常配菜
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
如果你在家里宴请客人，会准备哪些特色配菜来丰富餐桌？
Focus: 特色配菜
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
/ 24 correct
Perfect score!
관련 콘텐츠
food 관련 단어
一两
B1Fifty grams; a Chinese unit of weight (approx. 50g).
一斤
B1Half a kilogram; a Chinese unit of weight (approx. 500g).
一袋
B1A bag of.
少一点儿
A2A bit less.
多一点儿
A2A bit more.
一口
B1A mouthful; a bite; a small amount (of food or drink).
一瓶
B1A bottle of.
一碗
B1Measure word for a bowl of food.
一盒
B1A box of.
一杯
B1Measure word for a cup of liquid.
