硬菜

    yìngcài

    Meaning: "硬" means "hard," and "菜" is a "dish." Originating from North China dialects, this term refers to dishes that are delicious, satisfying one's appetite and often filling. Stand-up comedian Song Dandan had a line in her show "Planning" using the term. It also has the implication that such a dish is expensive and only catered when important guests are coming for dinner. "硬菜" often include meat, fish or seafood.

    Example:

    A: 今天怎么吃那么少？

    Jīntiān zěnme chī nàme shǎo?

    Why did you eat so little today?

    B: 中午我们部门聚餐，吃得太饱了。

    Zhōngwǔ wǒmen bùmén jùcān, chī de tài bǎo le。

    Our department had lunch together and I overate.

    A: 你们都点了什么呀？

    Nǐmen dōu diǎn le shénme ya?

    What did you order?

    B: 我们六个人，除了两盘蔬菜，还点了五盘硬菜再加一个汤。

    Wǒmen lìuge rén, chúle liǎngpán shūcài, hái diǎn le wǔpán yìngcài zàijiā yīgè tāng。

    We six people ordered two dishes of vegetables, five main courses and a soup.