fong3 tai4放題放题
Jyutpingfong3 tai4
Yalefong tàih
Definition
An all-you-can-eat meal, typically at a Japanese or Korean restaurant.
colloquialfooddim sum
How it's used
Originating from the Japanese term for 'free-style' or 'unrestricted', this word has been fully assimilated into Hong Kong dining culture to specifically denote all-you-can-eat buffet style service. It is almost exclusively associated with Japanese or Korean cuisine rather than general buffets. Using it to describe a hotel buffet or a Western-style salad bar would sound unnatural to native speakers.
Measure word
caan1餐chānExamples
This all-you-can-eat place is great value, and the sashimi is fresh too.
Where do you guys want to go for all-you-can-eat?
Related words
Common phrases
Japanese all-you-can-eat
go for all-you-can-eat
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin term 自助餐, which is a broader term for any buffet. While you can use 自助餐 in Cantonese, 放題 carries a specific expectation of made-to-order dishes brought to your table rather than a self-service food station.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
