How Families Organise Meals With an Ayi in China
In China, a domestic helper is commonly called an "ayi" (阿姨), which literally means "auntie." In other countries the same role is called a "helper," "maid," or "housekeeper." In this guide we use the term "ayi" because it reflects how families in China speak. Whether you are a local Chinese family or an expat household, a structured meal plan helps your ayi cook meals your family enjoys.
Key Points
- Ayis are skilled at Chinese cooking but may need guidance for Western dishes
- Written recipes in Chinese characters help avoid misunderstandings
- Wet market shopping is common — provide lists with Chinese names
- Balancing Chinese and Western meals keeps everyone happy
- Cooking together builds trust and improves results
How do families in China plan meals with an ayi?
Families in China typically discuss the weekly menu with their ayi and provide recipes for any unfamiliar dishes. The ayi shops at wet markets and supermarkets based on the plan. For expat families, providing recipes in Chinese with photos helps the ayi prepare Western dishes accurately.
What meals do ayis commonly cook in China?
Ayis commonly cook Chinese home-style dishes like tomato egg stir-fry, kung pao chicken, steamed fish, fried rice, and various vegetable stir-fries. Expat families often ask their ayi to learn Western dishes like pasta, roast chicken, and sandwiches alongside Chinese meals.
How do you communicate recipes to an ayi who does not speak English?
Provide recipes written in Chinese characters with clear measurements. Use photos of each cooking step and the finished dish. Cook together the first time for new recipes. Translation apps like WeChat or Baidu Translate can help with quick communication during cooking.
The Ayi Role in Chinese Households
Ayis are a central part of daily life for many families in China, both local and expat. In cities like Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, ayis typically come to the home daily or live with the family.
Most ayis are skilled home cooks with expertise in Chinese cuisine. They can prepare a full Chinese meal from scratch — stir-fries, soups, steamed dishes, and dumplings. However, they may have limited experience with Western cooking.
For expat families, the challenge is often teaching the ayi to cook Western dishes while appreciating the Chinese meals she already cooks well.
Building a Weekly Meal Plan With Your Ayi
A balanced weekly plan for a household in China might look like this:
| Day | Lunch | Dinner |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Tomato egg stir-fry with rice | Spaghetti bolognese |
| Tuesday | Fried rice with vegetables | Steamed fish with ginger and soy |
| Wednesday | Noodle soup | Roast chicken with potatoes |
| Thursday | Mapo tofu with rice | Pasta with tomato sauce |
| Friday | Egg fried rice | Kung pao chicken with rice |
| Saturday | Dumplings (jiaozi) | Beef stir-fry with broccoli |
| Sunday | Congee with side dishes | Chicken curry with rice |
This plan alternates between Chinese and Western meals, giving the family variety while using the ayi's strengths.
Communicating Across Language Barriers
Language is often the biggest challenge for expat families with an ayi. Here are practical solutions:
Written recipes in Chinese: Have your recipes translated into simplified Chinese characters. Many ayis can read Chinese but not English.
Photo recipes: Take photos of each step when you cook a dish. Create a visual recipe book your ayi can follow.
WeChat communication: Use WeChat to send recipes, shopping lists, and photos. The built-in translation feature helps with quick messages.
Cook together: The most effective method is cooking a new dish together. Your ayi watches, takes notes in Chinese, and can replicate it independently next time.
Measurement conversion: Chinese cooking often uses "a little" or "some" rather than exact measurements. For Western recipes, provide exact measurements in grams and millilitres.
Wet Market Shopping in China
Wet markets (菜市场) are where most ayis prefer to shop for fresh ingredients. The produce is fresher and often cheaper than supermarkets.
Tips for wet market shopping:
- Write shopping lists in Chinese characters
- Include the Chinese name for each item (e.g., 西兰花 for broccoli, 鸡胸肉 for chicken breast)
- Specify quantities in jin (斤, approximately 500g) which is the standard market unit
- Note any quality preferences — "free range eggs" (土鸡蛋) vs regular eggs
- Give a daily or weekly budget in RMB
For Western ingredients: Direct your ayi to import supermarkets like Ole, City Shop, or Jenny Lou's in major cities. These stock pasta, cheese, olive oil, and other Western staples.
Balancing Chinese and Western Cuisines
Many expat families in China want both Chinese and Western meals. Here is how to manage this:
Play to your ayi's strengths: Let her cook Chinese dishes she knows well. These will be better than most Western meals initially.
Introduce Western dishes gradually: Start with simple Western recipes like pasta and roast chicken. Add one new Western dish per week.
Find crossover meals: Some dishes work across both cuisines — fried rice, stir-fries, soups, and grilled meats.
Weekend cooking sessions: Use weekends to teach your ayi a new Western recipe. Cook together so she learns the technique.
Keep a recipe notebook: Let your ayi keep a notebook in the kitchen with her own notes in Chinese. This becomes her personalised cookbook over time.
Families who use MealSide find it helpful to save both Chinese and Western recipes in one place where their ayi can access them easily.
Common Ayi-Cooked Meals
Here are meals that most ayis in China can cook well or learn quickly:
Chinese dishes (already skilled):
- Tomato egg stir-fry (番茄炒蛋)
- Kung pao chicken (宫保鸡丁)
- Steamed fish (清蒸鱼)
- Fried rice (炒饭)
- Various vegetable stir-fries
- Dumplings (饺子)
- Congee (粥)
- Noodle soups
Western dishes (easy to learn):
- Spaghetti bolognese
- Roast chicken
- Pasta with tomato sauce
- Omelettes
- Pancakes
- Simple salads
- Grilled or pan-fried fish
FAQs
How do I find a good ayi in China?
Most families find ayis through word of mouth, expat community groups on WeChat, or ayi agencies. Ask for references and do a trial period of one to two weeks. Agencies handle contracts and insurance but charge a service fee.
How much does an ayi cost in China?
Ayi rates vary by city. In Shanghai and Beijing, a full-time live-out ayi typically costs 5,000–8,000 RMB per month. Part-time ayis charge 35–60 RMB per hour. Live-in ayis may cost 6,000–10,000 RMB per month including room and board.
Can my ayi learn to cook Western food?
Yes, most ayis can learn Western recipes with clear instructions. Start with simple dishes like pasta and work up to more complex meals. Written recipes in Chinese with photos are the most effective teaching tool. Expect a learning curve of two to four weeks per new dish.
Should I provide recipes in Chinese or English?
Provide recipes in Chinese whenever possible. Most ayis read Chinese fluently but may struggle with English. For complex Western recipes, include both Chinese text and step-by-step photos. Translation apps can help with quick conversions.