Product overview
An iOS dining companion for China.
Bite China is designed to help international visitors understand Chinese menus in their preferred language, identify relevant dietary and allergen information, and communicate more comfortably with restaurant staff using translated Simplified Chinese text and spoken Mandarin phrases.
Menu translation
Users photograph or scan a Chinese menu. Bite China recognises the menu text and presents dish names, descriptions and context in the user's selected language. English is shown in these mockups purely as one example — Bite China is not an English-only product.
Dish understanding
The app provides understandable information about unfamiliar dishes — likely ingredients, cooking style and regional context. This is written to help you decide what to order and what to ask, not to promise the exact recipe of a specific kitchen.
Dietary and allergen preferences
Set preferences such as lactose intolerance, peanut allergy, vegetarian, no beef, no pork or gluten-free. Bite China then displays prominent flags alongside dish information. Flags are guidance only — recipes and preparation methods vary between kitchens.
Preferred language
Choose the language into which menus and dish information are translated. This preference is shown clearly throughout the app — Bite China translates Chinese menus into whichever language you select, not simply into English.
Dining phrases
Build practical restaurant phrases in your preferred language. Bite China translates them into Simplified Chinese, ready to show a member of staff or to play aloud in Mandarin.
Mandarin audio
Listen to translated Mandarin phrases through your iPhone speaker. Playing audio does not require microphone access — that permission is only ever requested if a future feature actually records your voice.
How it works
Scan. Understand. Personalise. Communicate.
Four steps, in the order you'd actually use them at a table.
Diced chicken stir-fried with peanuts, dried chilli and a sweet-savoury sauce. A Sichuan classic, often mildly to moderately spicy.
Preferred-language translation
Translated into your language — not just English.
Before scanning a menu, choose the language you'd like to read. Bite China translates menus and dish information into that language throughout the app. English appears in these mockups only as one illustrative option among many.
- English
- Français
- Deutsch
- Español
- 日本語
- 한국어
- Italiano
- Português
Customise your translation and allergy alerts
UsernameDietary and allergy preferences
Set it once, see it on every dish.
Select the preferences and concerns that matter to you — lactose intolerance, peanut allergy, vegetarian, no beef, no pork or gluten-free. Bite China then displays prominent flags alongside dish information, as shown on the preferences screen opposite.
Please note
These flags are guidance only. Recipes and preparation methods vary between restaurants, and cross-contact can occur. Always confirm directly with staff if you have a serious allergy.
Mandarin dining phrases and audio
Say it, or show it — your choice.
Create practical restaurant phrases in your preferred language. Bite China translates them into Simplified Chinese and lets you play the Mandarin translation aloud through your iPhone speaker. Listening back does not need microphone access.
- Example
- Does this contain peanuts?
这个含有花生吗？
More phrases, built the same way
I'm allergic to peanuts.
我对花生过敏。
Please help me confirm the ingredients.
请帮我确认一下食材。
Please make it not spicy.
请不要做辣的。
iOS application previews
The app, screen by screen.
Bite China is currently in development for iOS. These mockups reflect the current design and may evolve before release.
Photograph a Chinese menu
Steamed soup dumplings, typically pork-filled, served with a savoury broth inside.
Read dish details and flags
Language and dietary preferences
Mandarin phrases, spoken aloud
A note on food safety
Bite China is a helpful communication aid, not a food-safety guarantee. Anyone with a serious allergy should always confirm ingredients and preparation directly with restaurant staff.