Traditional Chinese Snacks Vocabulary: 80+ Must-Know Bites

零食詞彙 | Western, Eastern, and Chinese-specific snacks (with pinyin + real sentences)

Want to talk about snacks in Traditional Chinese (繁體中文) without sounding like you’re reading a menu from 1843? Here you go: snack words you’ll actually see in stores, night markets, and your friends’ snack drawers.

Every item comes with Traditional Chinese, pinyin (tone marks), a clear meaning, and a real example sentence (Chinese + pinyin + English). Tap the 🔊 button to hear the Hanzi.

Yak Snark: If someone says “我只吃一點點” (I’ll only eat a little)… that’s the moment the snack bag knows it’s doomed.

Snack MVPs (Visual Cards)

零食

líng shí

snacks (general)

薯片

shǔ piàn

potato chips

餅乾

bǐng gān

cookies / biscuits

巧克力

qiǎo kè lì

chocolate

爆米花

bào mǐ huā

popcorn

麻糬

má shǔ

mochi (chewy rice cake)

鳳梨酥

fèng lí sū

pineapple cake (Taiwan classic)

辣條

là tiáo

spicy strips (popular Chinese snack)

Quick tip: In Taiwan you’ll hear 零食 all the time. If it’s more “small eats” (especially at a night market), 小吃 shows up a lot.

Quick examples for the cards

零食 líng shí

我晚上會想吃一點零食。

Wǒ wǎn shàng huì xiǎng chī yì diǎn líng shí.

At night I’ll want to snack a little.

薯片 shǔ piàn

這包薯片很脆，但有點鹹。

Zhè bāo shǔ piàn hěn cuì, dàn yǒu diǎn xián.

These chips are crunchy, but a bit salty.

餅乾 bǐng gān

我喜歡把餅乾配牛奶。

Wǒ xǐ huān bǎ bǐng gān pèi niú nǎi.

I like having cookies with milk.

巧克力 qiǎo kè lì

這塊巧克力是黑的，不會太甜。

Zhè kuài qiǎo kè lì shì hēi de, bú huì tài tián.

This chocolate is dark, so it’s not too sweet.

爆米花 bào mǐ huā

看電影一定要買爆米花。

Kàn diàn yǐng yí dìng yào mǎi bào mǐ huā.

You have to get popcorn for a movie.

麻糬 má shǔ

這個麻糬很Q，裡面有紅豆。

Zhè gè má shǔ hěn Q, lǐ miàn yǒu hóng dòu.

This mochi is super chewy; it has red bean inside.

鳳梨酥 fèng lí sū

我買了一盒鳳梨酥送朋友。

Wǒ mǎi le yì hé fèng lí sū sòng péng yǒu.

I bought a box of pineapple cakes for a friend.

辣條 là tiáo

這個辣條超辣，我吃兩口就停了。

Zhè gè là tiáo chāo là, wǒ chī liǎng kǒu jiù tíng le.

These spicy strips are super hot—I stopped after two bites.

Useful snack phrases you’ll say in real life

我想吃點零食。

Wǒ xiǎng chī diǎn líng shí.

I want a snack.

我想吃點零食，家裡還有薯片嗎？

Wǒ xiǎng chī diǎn líng shí, jiā lǐ hái yǒu shǔ piàn ma?

I want a snack—are there any chips at home?

你要不要來一點？

Nǐ yào bù yào lái yì diǎn?

Want some?

你要不要來一點爆米花？

Nǐ yào bù yào lái yì diǎn bào mǐ huā?

Want some popcorn?

這個好吃嗎？

Zhè gè hǎo chī ma?

Is this tasty?

這個鳳梨酥好吃嗎？我第一次買。

Zhè gè fèng lí sū hǎo chī ma? Wǒ dì yī cì mǎi.

Is this pineapple cake good? It’s my first time buying it.

你喜歡鹹的還是甜的？

Nǐ xǐ huān xián de hái shì tián de?

Do you like salty or sweet?

你喜歡鹹的還是甜的？我可以去買。

Nǐ xǐ huān xián de hái shì tián de? Wǒ kě yǐ qù mǎi.

Salty or sweet? I can go buy something.

我不吃辣。

Wǒ bù chī là.

I don’t eat spicy food.

我不吃辣，所以辣條我不敢碰。

Wǒ bù chī là, suǒ yǐ là tiáo wǒ bù gǎn pèng.

I don’t do spicy, so I won’t touch spicy strips.

我在戒零食。

Wǒ zài jiè líng shí.

I’m cutting snacks.

我在戒零食，但看到餅乾又心動。

Wǒ zài jiè líng shí, dàn kàn dào bǐng gān yòu xīn dòng.

I’m cutting snacks, but cookies tempt me again.

再來一包。

Zài lái yì bāo.

One more bag/pack.

這個太好吃了，再來一包薯片！

Zhè gè tài hǎo chī le, zài lái yì bāo shǔ piàn!

This is too good—one more bag of chips!

有沒有無糖的？

Yǒu méi yǒu wú táng de?

Do you have sugar-free ones?

有沒有無糖的口香糖？

Yǒu méi yǒu wú táng de kǒu xiāng táng?

Do you have sugar-free gum?

這個會不會太油？

Zhè gè huì bú huì tài yóu?

Is this too greasy?

這個炸的會不會太油？我怕膩。

Zhè gè zhá de huì bú huì tài yóu? Wǒ pà nì.

Is this fried one too greasy? I get tired of oily food.

你要配飲料嗎？

Nǐ yào pèi yǐn liào ma?

Want a drink with it?

你要配飲料嗎？餅乾配牛奶很搭。

Nǐ yào pèi yǐn liào ma? Bǐng gān pèi niú nǎi hěn dā.

Want a drink with that? Cookies go great with milk.

夜市小吃我最愛。

Yè shì xiǎo chī wǒ zuì ài.

I love night-market snacks.

夜市小吃我最愛，尤其是滷味。

Yè shì xiǎo chī wǒ zuì ài, yóu qí shì lǔ wèi.

I love night-market snacks—especially braised snacks.

我對花生過敏。

Wǒ duì huā shēng guò mǐn.

I’m allergic to peanuts.

我對花生過敏，所以不吃花生糖。

Wǒ duì huā shēng guò mǐn, suǒ yǐ bù chī huā shēng táng.

I’m allergic to peanuts, so I don’t eat peanut candy.

Mini culture note: 點心 can mean “snacks” (and also “dim sum” depending on context). 零食 is your safest “snack” word. 小吃 leans “street food / snack stalls.”

Snack vocabulary tables (the good stuff)

Crunchy & salty snacks

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
洋芋片	yáng yù piàn	potato chips (Taiwan term)	我想買一包洋芋片當宵夜。 Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yì bāo yáng yù piàn dāng xiāo yè.	A bag of chips sounds like the perfect late-night snack.
玉米片	yù mǐ piàn	corn chips	玉米片沾莎莎醬很好吃。 Yù mǐ piàn zhān shā shā jiàng hěn hǎo chī.	Corn chips taste great with salsa.
扭結餅	niǔ jié bǐng	pretzel	我喜歡吃扭結餅，越鹹越好。 Wǒ xǐ huān chī niǔ jié bǐng, yuè xián yuè hǎo.	I like pretzels—the saltier the better.
蘇打餅乾	sū dá bǐng gān	soda crackers	蘇打餅乾配起司很簡單也很香。 Sū dá bǐng gān pèi qǐ sī hěn jiǎn dān yě hěn xiāng.	Crackers with cheese are simple and tasty.
海苔脆片	hǎi tái cuì piàn	seaweed crisps	這個海苔脆片很薄，可是很脆。 Zhè gè hǎi tái cuì piàn hěn báo, kě shì hěn cuì.	These seaweed crisps are thin but super crunchy.
米果	mǐ guǒ	rice crackers (snack)	我辦公室常備米果，嘴饞就吃兩個。 Wǒ bàn gōng shì cháng bèi mǐ guǒ, zuǐ chán jiù chī liǎng gè.	I keep rice crackers at the office—when I’m snacky, I eat two.
鍋巴	guō bā	crispy rice (often spiced)	鍋巴又香又脆，一吃就停不下來。 Guō bā yòu xiāng yòu cuì, yì chī jiù tíng bù xià lái.	Crispy rice is fragrant and crunchy—hard to stop once you start.
魷魚絲	yóu yú sī	shredded squid (dried snack)	這包魷魚絲很有嚼勁，配啤酒很搭。 Zhè bāo yóu yú sī hěn yǒu jiáo jìn, pèi pí jiǔ hěn dā.	This shredded squid is chewy—great with a beer.
牛肉乾	niú ròu gān	beef jerky	我旅行會帶牛肉乾，方便又耐放。 Wǒ lǚ xíng huì dài niú ròu gān, fāng biàn yòu nài fàng.	I bring beef jerky when traveling—easy and it keeps well.
瓜子	guā zǐ	melon seeds (snack)	看電視嗑瓜子很療癒。 Kàn diàn shì kē guā zǐ hěn liáo yù.	Cracking melon seeds while watching TV is oddly soothing.

Sweet baked treats (Western favorites included)

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
蛋糕	dàn gāo	cake	生日一定要有蛋糕。 Shēng rì yí dìng yào yǒu dàn gāo.	A birthday needs cake, obviously.
泡芙	pào fú	cream puff	這個泡芙的奶油很香，不會太甜。 Zhè gè pào fú de nǎi yóu hěn xiāng, bú huì tài tián.	The cream in this puff is fragrant and not too sweet.
布朗尼	bù lǎng ní	brownie	布朗尼很濃，我只需要一小塊。 Bù lǎng ní hěn nóng, wǒ zhǐ xū yào yì xiǎo kuài.	Brownies are rich—I only need a small piece.
甜甜圈	tián tián quān	donut	我早上喝咖啡，順便買了甜甜圈。 Wǒ zǎo shàng hē kā fēi, shùn biàn mǎi le tián tián quān.	I had coffee this morning and grabbed a donut too.
蛋撻	dàn tà	egg tart	剛出爐的蛋撻最好吃。 Gāng chū lú de dàn tà zuì hǎo chī.	Fresh-out-of-the-oven egg tarts are the best.
派	pài	pie	我最喜歡蘋果派，酸甜剛好。 Wǒ zuì xǐ huān píng guǒ pài, suān tián gāng hǎo.	I love apple pie—the sweet-and-tart balance is perfect.
塔	tǎ	tart	這個水果塔看起來很漂亮。 Zhè gè shuǐ guǒ tǎ kàn qǐ lái hěn piào liang.	This fruit tart looks gorgeous.
司康	sī kāng	scone	司康配茶很適合下午茶。 Sī kāng pèi chá hěn shì hé xià wǔ chá.	Scones with tea are perfect for afternoon tea.
威化餅	wēi huà bǐng	wafer	威化餅很輕，一不小心就吃完了。 Wēi huà bǐng hěn qīng, yì bù xiǎo xīn jiù chī wán le.	Wafers are so light—you finish them before you notice.
夾心餅乾	jiā xīn bǐng gān	sandwich cookie	我喜歡把夾心餅乾泡牛奶。 Wǒ xǐ huān bǎ jiā xīn bǐng gān pào niú nǎi.	I like dunking sandwich cookies in milk.

Chocolate & candy (sweet, chewy, and dangerous)

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
黑巧克力	hēi qiǎo kè lì	dark chocolate	我喜歡黑巧克力，苦一點比較耐吃。 Wǒ xǐ huān hēi qiǎo kè lì, kǔ yì diǎn bǐ jiào nài chī.	I like dark chocolate—slightly bitter lasts longer.
牛奶巧克力	niú nǎi qiǎo kè lì	milk chocolate	牛奶巧克力比較甜，小朋友很愛。 Niú nǎi qiǎo kè lì bǐ jiào tián, xiǎo péng yǒu hěn ài.	Milk chocolate is sweeter—kids love it.
白巧克力	bái qiǎo kè lì	white chocolate	白巧克力很香，但我會吃一點就夠。 Bái qiǎo kè lì hěn xiāng, dàn wǒ huì chī yì diǎn jiù gòu.	White chocolate is fragrant, but a little is enough for me.
糖果	táng guǒ	candy	我包包裡常放幾顆糖果。 Wǒ bāo bāo lǐ cháng fàng jǐ kē táng guǒ.	I often keep a few candies in my bag.
軟糖	ruǎn táng	gummy candy	這種軟糖很Q，我一邊工作一邊吃。 Zhè zhǒng ruǎn táng hěn Q, wǒ yì biān gōng zuò yì biān chī.	These gummies are super chewy—I snack while working.
棉花糖	mián huā táng	marshmallow	烤棉花糖外脆內軟。 Kǎo mián huā táng wài cuì nèi ruǎn.	Toasted marshmallows are crisp outside and soft inside.
太妃糖	tài fēi táng	toffee	太妃糖很黏，慢慢吃比較安全。 Tài fēi táng hěn nián, màn màn chī bǐ jiào ān quán.	Toffee is sticky—eat it slowly (your teeth will thank you).
棒棒糖	bàng bàng táng	lollipop	小朋友拿著棒棒糖笑得很開心。 Xiǎo péng yǒu ná zhe bàng bàng táng xiào de hěn kāi xīn.	The kid is smiling happily with a lollipop.
口香糖	kǒu xiāng táng	chewing gum	我吃完飯會嚼口香糖。 Wǒ chī wán fàn huì jiáo kǒu xiāng táng.	After meals, I chew gum.

Nuts & “healthier” snacks

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
堅果	jiān guǒ	nuts (general)	我下午容易餓，所以會吃一點堅果。 Wǒ xià wǔ róng yì è, suǒ yǐ huì chī yì diǎn jiān guǒ.	I get hungry in the afternoon, so I snack on some nuts.
杏仁	xìng rén	almond	這些杏仁烤得很香。 Zhè xiē xìng rén kǎo de hěn xiāng.	These almonds are nicely roasted and fragrant.
腰果	yāo guǒ	cashew	腰果很香，我會控制不要吃太多。 Yāo guǒ hěn xiāng, wǒ huì kòng zhì bú yào chī tài duō.	Cashews are addictive—I try not to eat too many.
核桃	hé táo	walnut	我喜歡把核桃加進燕麥裡。 Wǒ xǐ huān bǎ hé táo jiā jìn yàn mài lǐ.	I like adding walnuts to oats.
開心果	kāi xīn guǒ	pistachio	開心果要剝殼，但越剝越上癮。 Kāi xīn guǒ yào bō ké, dàn yuè bō yuè shàng yǐn.	Pistachios need shelling… which somehow makes them more addictive.
葡萄乾	pú táo gān	raisins	我把葡萄乾加進優格裡。 Wǒ bǎ pú táo gān jiā jìn yōu gé lǐ.	I add raisins to yogurt.
燕麥棒	yàn mài bàng	granola bar	趕時間的時候，我就吃一根燕麥棒。 Gǎn shí jiān de shí hòu, wǒ jiù chī yì gēn yàn mài bàng.	When I’m rushed, I just eat a granola bar.
能量棒	néng liàng bàng	energy bar	運動後我會吃能量棒補充體力。 Yùn dòng hòu wǒ huì chī néng liàng bàng bǔ chōng tǐ lì.	After working out, I eat an energy bar to refuel.

Cold treats (because it’s not always “just a snack”)

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
冰淇淋	bīng qí lín	ice cream	天氣很熱，我想吃冰淇淋。 Tiān qì hěn rè, wǒ xiǎng chī bīng qí lín.	It’s hot out—I want ice cream.
霜淇淋	shuāng qí lín	soft serve	這家店的霜淇淋很濃，很快就融化。 Zhè jiā diàn de shuāng qí lín hěn nóng, hěn kuài jiù róng huà.	This shop’s soft serve is rich—and melts fast.
冰棒	bīng bàng	popsicle / ice pop	我小時候最愛買水果冰棒。 Wǒ xiǎo shí hòu zuì ài mǎi shuǐ guǒ bīng bàng.	As a kid, I loved fruit popsicles.
刨冰	bào bīng	shaved ice	夏天吃刨冰很爽，尤其加芒果。 Xià tiān chī bào bīng hěn shuǎng, yóu qí jiā máng guǒ.	Shaved ice is amazing in summer—especially with mango.
冰沙	bīng shā	slush / frozen drink	我想喝冰沙，甜度半糖就好。 Wǒ xiǎng hē bīng shā, tián dù bàn táng jiù hǎo.	I want a slush—half sugar is fine.
優格	yōu gé	yogurt	我想吃點清爽的，就選優格。 Wǒ xiǎng chī diǎn qīng shuǎng de, jiù xuǎn yōu gé.	I want something light, so I choose yogurt.

East Asian favorites (common “Eastern snacks”)

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
大福	dà fú	daifuku (stuffed mochi)	草莓大福很受歡迎。 Cǎo méi dà fú hěn shòu huān yíng.	Strawberry daifuku is super popular.
銅鑼燒	tóng luó shāo	dorayaki (sweet pancake sandwich)	我買了銅鑼燒當下午點心。 Wǒ mǎi le tóng luó shāo dāng xià wǔ diǎn xīn.	I bought dorayaki for an afternoon snack.
仙貝	xiān bèi	senbei (Japanese rice cracker)	這種仙貝很脆，鹹甜都有。 Zhè zhǒng xiān bèi hěn cuì, xián tián dōu yǒu.	These senbei are crunchy—there are salty and sweet versions.
餅乾棒	bǐng gān bàng	biscuit sticks (like Pocky-style)	我喜歡巧克力口味的餅乾棒。 Wǒ xǐ huān qiǎo kè lì kǒu wèi de bǐng gān bàng.	I like chocolate-flavored biscuit sticks.
章魚燒	zhāng yú shāo	takoyaki	章魚燒要趁熱吃，外脆內軟。 Zhāng yú shāo yào chèn rè chī, wài cuì nèi ruǎn.	Takoyaki is best hot—crisp outside, soft inside.
雞蛋仔	jī dàn zǎi	Hong Kong egg waffle	雞蛋仔很香，我喜歡原味的。 Jī dàn zǎi hěn xiāng, wǒ xǐ huān yuán wèi de.	Egg waffles smell amazing—I like the original flavor.

Chinese & Taiwan classics (famous local snacks)

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
太陽餅	tài yáng bǐng	sun cake (Taiwan pastry)	太陽餅很酥，裡面是麥芽糖。 Tài yáng bǐng hěn sū, lǐ miàn shì mài yá táng.	Sun cakes are flaky, with malt syrup inside.
牛軋糖	niú gá táng	nougat (often with nuts)	牛軋糖甜甜的，也很有嚼勁。 Niú gá táng tián tián de, yě hěn yǒu jiáo jìn.	Nougat is sweet and chewy.
麻花	má huā	fried twisted dough snack	麻花很脆，但吃多了會口渴。 Má huā hěn cuì, dàn chī duō le huì kǒu kě.	Mahua is crunchy, but it can make you thirsty.
糖葫蘆	táng hú lù	candied fruit skewer (often hawthorn)	糖葫蘆外面脆脆的糖衣很香。 Táng hú lù wài miàn cuì cuì de táng yī hěn xiāng.	The crunchy sugar coating on tanghulu is so good.
月餅	yuè bǐng	mooncake	中秋節大家會送月餅。 Zhōng qiū jié dà jiā huì sòng yuè bǐng.	During Mid-Autumn Festival, people gift mooncakes.
蛋黃酥	dàn huáng sū	salted egg yolk pastry	蛋黃酥鹹甜鹹甜的，很受歡迎。 Dàn huáng sū xián tián xián tián de, hěn shòu huān yíng.	Egg yolk pastries are sweet-and-salty—super popular.
話梅	huà méi	preserved plum	話梅酸酸鹹鹹的，很開胃。 Huà méi suān suān xián xián de, hěn kāi wèi.	Preserved plums are sour and salty—great for the appetite.
脆麵	cuì miàn	dry crunchy noodles (snack)	小時候我會捏碎脆麵再倒調味粉。 Xiǎo shí hòu wǒ huì niē suì cuì miàn zài dào tiáo wèi fěn.	As a kid, I’d crush the crunchy noodles and pour in the seasoning.
茶葉蛋	chá yè dàn	tea egg	我肚子餓就買一顆茶葉蛋。 Wǒ dù zi è jiù mǎi yì kē chá yè dàn.	When I’m hungry, I buy a tea egg.
滷味	lǔ wèi	braised snacks (mix-and-pick)	我點了一份滷味，想吃辣的。 Wǒ diǎn le yí fèn lǔ wèi, xiǎng chī là de.	I ordered a portion of braised snacks—and I want it spicy.
臭豆腐	chòu dòu fǔ	stinky tofu	臭豆腐聞起來很重，但很多人很愛。 Chòu dòu fǔ wén qǐ lái hěn zhòng, dàn hěn duō rén hěn ài.	Stinky tofu smells strong, but lots of people love it.
豆花	dòu huā	tofu pudding (sweet)	我想吃豆花，加花生跟粉圓。 Wǒ xiǎng chī dòu huā, jiā huā shēng gēn fěn yuán.	I want tofu pudding—add peanuts and tapioca balls.

Variants + measure words (so you can actually order snacks)

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
點心	diǎn xīn	snack / light bite	下午我會吃點心，不然撐不到晚餐。 Xià wǔ wǒ huì chī diǎn xīn, bù rán chēng bú dào wǎn cān.	I eat a snack in the afternoon, or I won’t make it to dinner.
小吃	xiǎo chī	street snack / local bites	這條街的小吃很多，走一圈就飽了。 Zhè tiáo jiē de xiǎo chī hěn duō, zǒu yì quān jiù bǎo le.	There are so many street snacks here—one loop and you’re full.
一包	yì bāo	a bag/pack (measure word)	我買了一包餅乾放公司。 Wǒ mǎi le yì bāo bǐng gān fàng gōng sī.	I bought a pack of cookies to keep at work.
一袋	yí dài	a bag (measure word)	我只想買一袋洋芋片，不要囤貨。 Wǒ zhǐ xiǎng mǎi yí dài yáng yù piàn, bú yào tún huò.	I only want one bag of chips—no hoarding.
一盒	yì hé	a box (measure word)	我帶一盒鳳梨酥回家。 Wǒ dài yì hé fèng lí sū huí jiā.	I’m taking a box of pineapple cakes home.
一根	yì gēn	one stick/bar (measure word)	我先吃一根能量棒墊肚子。 Wǒ xiān chī yì gēn néng liàng bàng diàn dù zi.	I’ll have an energy bar first to hold me over.
一片	yí piàn	one piece/slice (measure word)	我只吃一片巧克力，真的。 Wǒ zhǐ chī yí piàn qiǎo kè lì, zhēn de.	I’ll eat just one piece of chocolate. Seriously. (Sure.)
一串	yí chuàn	one skewer (measure word)	我買了一串糖葫蘆邊走邊吃。 Wǒ mǎi le yí chuàn táng hú lù biān zǒu biān chī.	I bought a skewer of tanghulu to eat while walking.
大份	dà fèn	large size/portion	我點大份的滷味，兩個人一起吃。 Wǒ diǎn dà fèn de lǔ wèi, liǎng gè rén yì qǐ chī.	I ordered a large portion of braised snacks to share.
小份	xiǎo fèn	small size/portion	我想要小份就好，先解饞。 Wǒ xiǎng yào xiǎo fèn jiù hǎo, xiān jiě chán.	A small portion is fine—just enough to satisfy the craving.

Yak Snark: The phrase “先吃一點點” (just a little) is not a plan. It’s a snack prophecy. Use 小份 if you want to stay honest.