Ordering a Chinese banquet requires strategy. Get it right and everyone eats like royalty. Get it wrong and you end up with five chicken dishes and no vegetables. Here's how to order for a group like a pro.

The Golden Formula

Order one dish per person, plus one extra for the table. A group of six gets seven dishes. This provides variety without waste.

Balancing the Meal

Proteins: Vary them. Include seafood, poultry, pork, and beef – not all of one type. A whole steamed fish is traditional for special occasions.

Cooking methods: Mix steamed, fried, braised, and roasted. This creates textural variety and prevents palate fatigue.

Vegetables: Don't skip them. Chinese vegetables cooked with garlic, ginger, or oyster sauce are essential for balance.

Soup: Consider a soup to start – it cleanses the palate and aids digestion.

Rice or noodles: Carbs come at the end, not the beginning. Order enough for the table to share.

Building the Banquet

For 6-8 people, a balanced banquet might include:

1. Cold appetiser (jellyfish, sliced pork, or soy chicken)
2. Soup (corn with crab, hot and sour, or seafood)
3. Whole fish (steamed with ginger and scallion)
4. Prawns (salt and pepper, or with vegetables)
5. Roast duck or crispy chicken
6. Pork dish (sweet and sour, or braised belly)
7. Vegetable dish (Chinese broccoli, snow peas)
8. Fried rice or noodles to finish

Communicating with the Restaurant

Tell your server:

• Your budget per head
• Dietary restrictions
• Any dishes you particularly want
• Whether it's a special occasion

Good restaurants want to show off their best work. Let them guide you – they know what's fresh that day.

Set Menus

For large groups or when uncertain, consider set banquet menus. Restaurants design these for balance, and they often offer better value than ordering à la carte.

The Chinese Way

Chinese banquets are about abundance and generosity. Ordering too much is better than too little – leftovers can go home. The host should always ensure guests leave satisfied.