20-1   ChineseFood

Scene: The waiter (W) is explainingsomething to Johnson (J).

J:     Excuse me, I'd like to try some Chinese food. Can you tell me where I should go?

W:    We serve Chinese food here. But I'm not sure which style you prefer?

J:     I have no idea about Chinese food.

W:    It's divided into eight big cuisines, or say, eight styles, such as Cantonese food, Beijing food,

       Sichuan food, etc.

J:     Is there any difference between Cantonese food and Sichuan food?

W:    Most Sichuan dishes are spicy and hot while Cantonese food is lighter. And they taste differently.

J:     Oh, really, I like hot food. So what's your recommendation for me?

W:    I think Mapo beancurdand shredded meat in chilli sauce are quite special. We have a Sichuan

        food dinning room. May I suggest you go there? It's on the second floor.

J:     Thank you.

W:    My pleasure.

 20-2  Introducing Chinese Breakfast

  Scene: In the Chinese restaurant where buffet breakfast is served, Mr. Bellow(B),approaches the long stand with a plate in his hand. He asks the waiter(W) with great curiosty.

B: Do you serve buffet for Chinese breakfast here?

W: Certainly, sir. They are all here on the stand. This is fresh milk and that is soybean milk.

B: Good. I’d like some Chinese tea.

W: Well, this tea pot is for black tea and that for Wulong tea.

B: Oh, I see. Wulong tea is longevity tea, isn’t it?

W: Yes, it is. And over here are several kinds of dim sum. This is steamed dumpling stuffed with red bean puree, and that is with diced shrimps, bamboo shoots and mushroom.

B: Great! I’ll have both. And what is that?

W: It’s fried spring rolls stuffed with shredded cabbage and pork. It’s best eaten with some vinegar.

B: Terrific.

W: Besides, we have two kinds of noodles. One is noodle soup with different dressings and the  other, stir-fried noodles in Shanghai style.

B: I see. Is that cereal?

W: I’m afraid not, sir. That’s Chinese plain porridge. You may enjoy it with delicious Yangzhou pickles. Also available is porridge with minced pork and preserved egg.

B:Wonderful! I’ll taste something of everything here.

W:Bon appetite!