SkyFitsHeaven Posted September 4, 2014 at 02:42 AM Report Share Posted September 4, 2014 at 02:42 AM SOMEONE told me that Mandarin has a phrase/idiom about the taste of food being more important than anything else. I was complaining to a friend about the lousy service in Chinese restaurants the person told me that there is a belief that the taste of food in a restaurant is the most important thing and is more valuable than the service or atmosphere of the establishment. As long as you serve delicious food, you'll do OK. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abcdefg Posted September 4, 2014 at 05:37 AM Report Share Posted September 4, 2014 at 05:37 AM I've heard the sentiment often, but it has been said different ways by different Chinese friends. If there is a specific chengyu 成语 or idiom, I'd be grateful to learn it too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aone Posted September 4, 2014 at 10:02 AM Report Share Posted September 4, 2014 at 10:02 AM Have no idea what are you trying to say, will you give more details? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James3 Posted September 4, 2014 at 06:10 PM Report Share Posted September 4, 2014 at 06:10 PM aone, if I understood correctly, the OP is saying they've heard of an idiom or expression that basically says that the taste of the food is more important than anything else. So, if I understand the idiom, it doesn't matter about any of the following...if the food tastes great, then that's all that matters. - the restaurant has a bad odor - it smells inside! - the service is very poor - it takes them forever to wait on you, and then it takes them a long time to bring you your food too! - the atmosphere in the restaurant sucks - no ambiance - people are too noisy in the restaurant, I couldn't enjoy my discussion with my friends because none of us could hear the other one talk - the prices are way too high in this restaurant! All the above don't matter, according to this idiom; if the food tastes great, then everything else can simply be overlooked or ignored. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skylee Posted September 4, 2014 at 06:56 PM Report Share Posted September 4, 2014 at 06:56 PM All I can come up with is 民以食爲天. But it means that food / eating (not the taste of food) is the most important thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelley Posted September 4, 2014 at 08:59 PM Report Share Posted September 4, 2014 at 08:59 PM I have spent a few hours today looking through my ABC Dictionary of Chinese Proverbs and couldn't find anything with this concept. i wonder if this is because there is no food so delicious that all of the terrible things listed here: "- the restaurant has a bad odor - it smells inside! - the service is very poor - it takes them forever to wait on you, and then it takes them a long time to bring you your food too! - the atmosphere in the restaurant sucks - no ambiance - people are too noisy in the restaurant, I couldn't enjoy my discussion with my friends because none of us could hear the other one talk - the prices are way too high in this restaurant!" can be overlooked. I am sure I would not put up with any of these things or other similarly bad things just because the food was good or even excellent, it would have to be absolutely exceptional and even then I would not recommend it or go back or even stay to finish it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelS Posted September 4, 2014 at 10:22 PM Report Share Posted September 4, 2014 at 10:22 PM Possibly: 好饭不怕晚 not necessarily only for food either, I believe 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aone Posted September 5, 2014 at 01:36 AM Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 at 01:36 AM 酒香不怕巷子深??? whose original meaning - As long as your wine is good, people will finally come, no matter how far it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelley Posted September 5, 2014 at 09:47 AM Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 at 09:47 AM Sounds good michaels, and aone that fits the idea of the food and drink being worth the traveling time. Both of these have to do with time, waiting time or traveling time, which on reflection, are two things i would overlook when choosing a restaurant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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