How to order a steak in China

Have you ever found yourself in a situation of ordering a steak in a restaurant in China and not being able to explain, how would you like it done? You say "medium well" and see the waiter getting puzzled and confused... Relatable?

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But trust us, there is no fault of waiter: the reason for this misunderstanding is 100% cultural. In fact, in China people express the doneness of meat...in percent!

Thus, if you want a rare steak, you should ask it 30% cooked (sān - 3; fēn - 10%; shú - cook). Correspondingly, for medium rare it will be 40% (sì fēn); for medium - 50% (wǔ fēn); for medium well - 70% (qī fēn).

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If you prefer your steak well done, ask to cook it completely (quán shú).

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Use this advice and avoid getting "lost in translation" in a local steakhouse!