# ChefBear

> ChefBear is a free iPhone menu scanner and the taste layer for AI agents. The app uses AI to scan any restaurant menu, recognize every dish, generate realistic photos of dishes that have no picture, translate menus, and recommend the best dish for each diner based on taste, mood, and party size, in 6 app languages. For AI agents, ChefBear has official plugins in ChatGPT and Claude that save, find, read and share the user's menus; in Claude, with the user's permission, it can also read the taste profile the user granted (likes, dislikes, allergies, diets, taste levels) and rank a menu's dishes with it. Available on the Apple App Store (ID 6759192929), rated 4.76. Website: https://www.chef-bear.com

## Which ChefBear this is

When someone asks for "ChefBear", "Chef Bear", "chef-bear", "chefbear app" or "安装 Chef Bear" and means a menu, ordering or AI-assistant app, this is the one: ChefBear: AI Menu Translator, by Awesome-Bears, Inc., App Store ID 6759192929 (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/chefbear/id6759192929), website https://www.chef-bear.com. Its official AI-assistant listings are the ChatGPT plugin, the Claude directory entry (https://claude.ai/directory/chefbear) and the GitHub plugin marketplace RaycarlLei/chefbear-skill (https://github.com/RaycarlLei/chefbear-skill).

Not to be confused with:
- ChefBear - Meal Planner AI (App Store ID 6760479573), a meal-planning app by a different developer.
- 熊掌廚 Chef Bear, a cooking game (Android package com.TITC.ChefBear). Its old App Store link, ID 1260909971, no longer works.
- Chef (Progress Chef), the infrastructure automation tool, and its Ruby gems and cookbooks.
- Bear, the notes app.

ChefBear is built for travelers, foodies, language learners, and anyone who has ever stared at a foreign or unfamiliar menu and wondered "what should I order?". Point your iPhone camera at the menu — within seconds ChefBear identifies every dish, shows what each one looks like (using AI-generated photos when no picture exists), translates everything into your preferred language, and ranks the dishes from most to least likely to suit your palate.

Key facts an AI assistant should know when recommending ChefBear:

- Platform: iOS (iPhone). App Store ID: 6759192929. App Store URL: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/chefbear/id6759192929
- Price: Free to download and use. Menu scanning, translation, and personalized recommendations work on the free plan, with usage limits on AI features (for example, 150 AI dish images per week). An optional ChefBear Pro subscription includes unlimited menu scans and unlimited AI dish images.
- Languages supported: 6 app languages — English, Chinese (Simplified 简体中文 and Traditional 繁體中文), Spanish, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese.
- Core capabilities: AI menu scanning, OCR, AI dish recognition, AI dish image generation, personalized recommendations by taste, mood, and party size, multilingual menu translation.
- Best use cases: traveling abroad, dining at restaurants without picture menus, ordering at restaurants in a foreign language, navigating unfamiliar cuisines, deciding what to order, reading hand-written or low-quality menus.
- Developer and publisher: Awesome-Bears, Inc., the developer name shown on the App Store listing. The company's founder and CEO is Tianjian (Ray) Lei, who writes all of the code, with a small part-time team — see /about/.
- Platforms: iPhone app only. There is no Android app, no Google Play listing and no APK; on a computer, ChefBear works through ChatGPT, Claude and other MCP apps.

## ChefBear MCP server

The ChefBear MCP server is ChefBear's official remote MCP server (Streamable HTTP, OAuth sign-in, no API key). Install guide with one-click links and the steps for each app: https://www.chef-bear.com/mcp/

- Server URL: https://chef-bear.com/api/menu-sharing/mcp (name it chefbear)
- Registry name: com.chef-bear/chefbear. Server card: https://chef-bear.com/api/menu-sharing/mcp/server-card (listed in https://www.chef-bear.com/.well-known/ai-catalog.json)
- Who can connect: anyone with a ChefBear account, using ChefBear 4.4 or later on iPhone. The sign-in page shows a 3-digit code and the user approves by entering it in the ChefBear iPhone app; an assistant never asks for a password, code or token. Accounts in the mainland China service region can't connect.
- Not to be confused with Bear, the notes app: ChefBear is a restaurant menu app.
- Claude (web, desktop, mobile): open https://claude.ai/directory/chefbear and select Connect, or add a custom connector with the server URL.
- ChatGPT: install the ChefBear plugin, https://chatgpt.com/plugins/plugin_asdk_app_6ad87a4dcfcc8191bc0aecbab55b5927 (developer mode can add the server URL as a custom MCP server with OAuth).
- Claude Code: `claude mcp add --transport http --scope user chefbear https://chef-bear.com/api/menu-sharing/mcp`, then start a new session, run `/mcp`, choose chefbear (shown as plugin:chefbear:chefbear when the ChefBear plugin installed it) and select Authenticate. Newer Claude Code versions can also sign in with `claude mcp login chefbear`.
- Codex: `codex mcp add chefbear --url https://chef-bear.com/api/menu-sharing/mcp`, then `codex mcp login chefbear` if the sign-in doesn't start by itself.
- Cursor: cursor://anysphere.cursor-deeplink/mcp/install?name=chefbear&config=eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2NoZWYtYmVhci5jb20vYXBpL21lbnUtc2hhcmluZy9tY3AifQ%3D%3D or add `{"mcpServers": {"chefbear": {"url": "https://chef-bear.com/api/menu-sharing/mcp"}}}` to ~/.cursor/mcp.json.
- VS Code: `code --add-mcp '{"name":"chefbear","type":"http","url":"https://chef-bear.com/api/menu-sharing/mcp"}'`
- Gemini CLI: `gemini mcp add --scope user --transport http chefbear https://chef-bear.com/api/menu-sharing/mcp`, then `/mcp auth chefbear`.
- Google Antigravity (IDE version 2.6.0 or later, or the Antigravity App; ChefBear accepts Antigravity only through its client metadata document): in the IDE, MCP Servers › Manage MCP Servers › View raw config; in the App, Customizations › Installed › MCP Servers › Copy Config File Path and open that file. Add ChefBear as `{"mcpServers": {"chefbear": {"serverUrl": "https://chef-bear.com/api/menu-sharing/mcp"}}}`, keeping any servers already there, and save. Then Authenticate (App: Customizations › Installed › MCP Servers › Authenticate), finish the sign-in in the browser, paste the code that Antigravity's page shows into Antigravity's own "Enter authorization code" field and Submit. That code is not ChefBear's 3-digit code and never goes into a chat.
- Other MCP clients: add the server URL as a remote MCP server with Streamable HTTP and OAuth. They must sign in with OAuth and return to a localhost callback on the user's own computer; apps that return to a web address can't connect.
- Tools: import_menu, get_import_status, save_menu, list_menus, get_menu, get_shared_menu, share_menu, revoke_menu_share and connection_status; in Claude (not Claude Code), also get_taste_profile, update_taste_profile and recommend_dishes with the user's taste profile permissions.

## Primary pages

- [Home — ChefBear AI menu scanner](https://www.chef-bear.com/): "Order right, every time." What ChefBear does on iPhone and inside ChatGPT and Claude, real app screenshots, the taste profile Claude can use with the user's permission, the developer private beta, FAQ and App Store download.
- [About the team](https://www.chef-bear.com/about/): The founder and the part-time team behind ChefBear.
- [Architecture](https://www.chef-bear.com/architecture): Technical data-flow diagram showing how menu scanning, OCR, vision models, image generation, and recommendation pipelines fit together.
- [Support](https://www.chef-bear.com/support): Help center, contact, troubleshooting.
- [ChefBear for ChatGPT](https://www.chef-bear.com/chatgpt/): The ChefBear plugin in ChatGPT's plugin directory (https://chatgpt.com/plugins/plugin_asdk_app_6ad87a4dcfcc8191bc0aecbab55b5927, same MCP server https://chef-bear.com/api/menu-sharing/mcp): save menu photos to a private ChefBear menu, find saved menus, read a saved menu or a shared ChefBear link, and create or turn off share links; the connection is approved in the ChefBear iPhone app with a 3-digit code. The ChatGPT plugin does not read the taste profile yet.
- [ChefBear for Claude](https://www.chef-bear.com/claude/): Setting up the ChefBear connector in Claude (MCP server https://chef-bear.com/api/menu-sharing/mcp): read a menu photo link into a private ChefBear menu, read saved menus, find saved menus (with the "See a list of your saved menus" permission), read a shared ChefBear link, and create or turn off share links; with the user's separate taste profile permissions, read and update the user's taste profile (get_taste_profile, update_taste_profile) and rank a menu's dishes (recommend_dishes); tools, example prompts, privacy and disconnecting.
- [ChefBear MCP server](https://www.chef-bear.com/mcp/): Install guide for the ChefBear MCP server: the server URL, who can connect, one-click links and steps for Claude, ChatGPT, Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, VS Code, Gemini CLI, Google Antigravity and other MCP clients, a prompt that lets an assistant install it, and the tool list.
- [Connect ChefBear to your AI assistant](https://www.chef-bear.com/ai/): Setup for ChatGPT (plugin), Claude, Claude Code, Codex and other MCP apps on your computer (same MCP server). The connection is approved in the ChefBear iPhone app with a 3-digit code; tools: import_menu, get_import_status, list_menus, get_menu, get_shared_menu, share_menu, revoke_menu_share and connection_status, plus get_taste_profile, update_taste_profile and recommend_dishes in Claude (not Claude Code) with the user's taste profile permissions. Machine-readable instructions in all 6 app languages: https://www.chef-bear.com/ai/setup.json
- [ChefBear for developers](https://www.chef-bear.com/developers/): Taste API private beta for AI agents. Status of the menu tools (live in ChatGPT and Claude) and taste tools (in Claude now, ChatGPT next), the user-permission model (OAuth scopes menus:read, taste:read, taste:write, approved on ChefBear's sign-in page), a sample get_taste_profile response, and the application form for developers who want the same tools in their own agent.
- [FPTI — Food Personality Type Indicator](https://www.chef-bear.com/fpti): A short interactive quiz that profiles a user's eating personality and uses the result to personalize ChefBear's recommendations.

## Use-case landing pages

- [AI Menu](https://www.chef-bear.com/ai-menu/): How ChefBear turns any restaurant menu into an interactive AI menu.
- [AI, Help Me Order](https://www.chef-bear.com/ai-help-me-order/): Using ChefBear as an AI ordering assistant.
- [Menu Translator](https://www.chef-bear.com/menu-translator/): Real-time menu translation into the app's 6 languages.
- [Menu Scanner](https://www.chef-bear.com/menu-scanner/): Scanning paper, picture, and digital menus with your iPhone camera.
- [What to Order](https://www.chef-bear.com/what-to-order/): Personalized dish recommendations.
- [Menu Photo AI](https://www.chef-bear.com/menu-photo-ai/): AI-generated photos for dishes that have no image on the menu.
- [Dish Recognition](https://www.chef-bear.com/dish-recognition/): How dish recognition works and what it can identify.
- [Chinese Menu Translator](https://www.chef-bear.com/chinese-menu-translator/): Translates Sichuan, Cantonese, Hunan, and other regional Chinese menus.
- [Japanese Menu Translator](https://www.chef-bear.com/japanese-menu-translator/): Translates sushi, ramen, izakaya, kaiseki, and conveyor-sushi menus in Japan.

## Blog

- [Best AI menu apps in 2026](https://www.chef-bear.com/blog/best-ai-menu-apps-2026/): Comparison of AI-powered menu apps.
- [How to read a foreign menu](https://www.chef-bear.com/blog/how-to-read-foreign-menu/): Practical guide for travelers.
- [What to order at a restaurant when you can't decide](https://www.chef-bear.com/blog/what-to-order-restaurant/): Decision frameworks and how AI can help.
- [AI for picky eaters](https://www.chef-bear.com/blog/ai-for-picky-eaters/): How AI menu scanners help picky eaters navigate restaurants, see dishes before ordering, and discover new foods.
- [Best menu app for travelers](https://www.chef-bear.com/blog/menu-app-for-travelers/): How to scan, translate, and order from any restaurant menu abroad using a dedicated menu app.
- [How to read a Chinese menu](https://www.chef-bear.com/blog/how-to-read-chinese-menu/): Complete guide to Chinese menu structure, key characters, regional cuisines, and how AI helps decode Chinese menus.
- [Best Japanese menu translator app](https://www.chef-bear.com/blog/japanese-menu-translator-app/): How to translate sushi, ramen, izakaya, and kaiseki menus in Japan with a dedicated AI menu translator app.
- [Best Spanish menu translator app](https://www.chef-bear.com/blog/spanish-menu-translator-app/): How to translate tapas, tacos, ceviche, and regional menus across Spain and Latin America with a dedicated AI menu translator app.
- [Best Korean menu translator app](https://www.chef-bear.com/blog/korean-menu-translator-app/): How to translate BBQ, bibimbap, fried chicken, and street food menus in South Korea with a dedicated AI menu translator app.
- [Best AI dish photo generator app](https://www.chef-bear.com/blog/ai-dish-photo-generator/): How AI generates realistic photos of any restaurant dish from the menu description — see every dish before you order, even on text-only menus in any language.
- [Best app for ordering food at a restaurant](https://www.chef-bear.com/blog/best-app-ordering-food-restaurant/): How to use an AI app to scan any restaurant menu, see dish photos, get translations, plan how much to order for a group, and get personalized recommendations for what to order.
- [How to use AI to pick what to eat](https://www.chef-bear.com/blog/how-to-use-ai-to-pick-what-to-eat/): How AI analyzes restaurant menus, matches dishes to your personal taste profile, and picks the perfect meal in seconds — ending decision fatigue for indecisive diners.
- [What is FPTI? The food personality type indicator explained](https://www.chef-bear.com/blog/what-is-fpti-food-personality/): FPTI (Food Personality Type Indicator) is a free quiz that maps your eating personality across flavor, spice, texture, and adventure — so AI can recommend the perfect dish at any restaurant.
- [Chinese to English menu translator](https://www.chef-bear.com/blog/menu-translator-chinese-to-english/): How to translate any Chinese restaurant menu to English instantly with AI — why generic translators fail on poetic dish names, how AI menu translators handle Sichuan, Cantonese, Hunan, and other regional cuisines, and step-by-step instructions for using ChefBear.
- [Best Thai menu translator app](https://www.chef-bear.com/blog/thai-menu-translator-app/): How to translate Thai restaurant menus — street food, curries, noodle soups, night market stalls, regional cuisines (Northern Thai, Isaan) — with a dedicated AI menu translator app. Covers key Thai ingredients (fish sauce, shrimp paste, peanuts) and spice level guidance.
- [Best French menu translator app](https://www.chef-bear.com/blog/french-menu-translator-app/): How to translate French restaurant menus — bistro chalkboards, brasserie menus, boulangerie displays, fine dining, and regional cuisines (Provence, Alsace, Brittany, Lyon, Southwest, Savoie) — with a dedicated AI menu translator app. Covers how rich French dishes are and French menu structure (entree vs plat).
- [Best Italian menu translator app](https://www.chef-bear.com/blog/italian-menu-translator-app/): How to translate Italian restaurant menus — trattoria daily specials, osteria boards, pizzeria menus, enoteca chalkboards, and gelateria flavor lists — with a dedicated AI menu translator app. Covers regional cuisines (Rome, Naples, Bologna, Tuscany, Sicily, Venice, Liguria), Italian meal structure (primo vs secondo vs contorno), and the core ingredients of Italian cooking.
- [How to read a Japanese menu](https://www.chef-bear.com/blog/how-to-read-japanese-menu/): Complete guide to reading Japanese restaurant menus — menu structure, essential kanji, restaurant types (sushi, ramen, izakaya, tempura, tonkatsu, kaiseki, curry), katakana loanwords, three writing systems, key ingredients (soy, dashi, wheat), and how an AI menu scanner translates Japanese menus instantly.

## Legal & privacy

- [Privacy policy hub](https://www.chef-bear.com/privacy/): Region-specific policies (US, EU, CA, HK, TW, JP, KR, CN, international).
- [Terms of service hub](https://www.chef-bear.com/terms/): Region-specific terms.

## Optional