Nantong
has hundreds of restaurants throughout the city. Most are
exclusively Chinese restaurants, but there are a number of newer
restaurants that also serve different Western and other types of
Asian style food. While some Chinese restaurants do have
combination Chinese and Western menus, many do not. For
Chinese restaurants in particular, it is always a good idea to
take someone who can read and speak Chinese as not all
restaurants have English speaking staff. Alternatively,
you can just gamble - point at the menu and hope for the best.
Chinese meals
are communal meals, which means that one order will serve
between two or four people on average, depending on their
appetite. It is common for many people to be "digging into
the same dish" with their chopsticks. (Forks are usually
available on request.) With a Chinese meal, you will have
the opportunity to try many different types of food.
Sometimes it is good to ask what it is you are eating.
Other times, ignorance can be bliss.
The Western
style restaurants are all serving prime and quality Western
food. As a result, a Western style meal will be more
expensive than a Chinese meal, but for the "back home taste" it
is usually worth the extra expense.
Tipping is not
required in Nantong. If you do leave a few yuan on the
table, do not be surprised if the waitress or waiter comes
running after you with your change. Some may be
embarrassed receiving a tip. If you do decide to tip,
there is no need to go overboard. Forget about the
American tradition of leaving 10 to 20% of the total bill as a tip. People
will think that you are crazy.
Please make an
effort to visit the nantongmap.net sponsors with the bold
listings below.
