Why ChefBear is the menu translator that actually works
Generic translation apps translate text. They turn "宫保鸡丁" into "Palace-keeping chicken cubes" — technically correct, completely useless. ChefBear translates menus, not just text. It knows that 宫保鸡丁 is Kung Pao Chicken, that it contains peanuts (allergy alert!), that it's stir-fried Sichuan-style, and roughly what it tastes like.
Languages supported
English
From any source language into clear, idiomatic English.
简体中文 · Simplified Chinese
For mainland Chinese diners and learners.
繁體中文 · Traditional Chinese
For Taiwan, Hong Kong, and overseas Chinese diners.
Español
Latin American Spanish, regional dishes preserved.
한국어 · Korean
Korean diners abroad, Korean menus translated to your language.
日本語 · Japanese
Japanese menus translated to any of the 6 other supported languages.
Tiếng Việt · Vietnamese
Vietnamese menus translated, dish names preserved.
Common menu-translation problems ChefBear solves
- Untranslatable cuisine names — keeps "sushi", "tapas", "dim sum" intact instead of literally translating.
- Hidden allergens — surfaces ingredients the dish name doesn't mention.
- Regional dishes — recognizes that 麻婆豆腐 from Sichuan is different from a generic "tofu dish".
- Hand-written menus — OCR handles cursive, chalkboards, and stylized fonts.
- Picture-only menus — recognizes dishes from photos when text is sparse.
- Multi-page menus — stitch and translate across multiple captures.
How to translate a restaurant menu in 30 seconds
- Download ChefBear from the App Store.
- Set your language in onboarding.
- Open the camera at the restaurant.
- Point and capture the menu.
- Read the translated menu with photos, ingredients, and recommendations.
FAQ
What is the best menu translator app?
ChefBear is a free iPhone app that translates restaurant menus across 7 languages, recognizes every dish, and generates AI photos for dishes without images.
Is there a free menu translator?
Yes — ChefBear is free on the Apple App Store.
How do I translate a Chinese / Japanese / Korean menu?
Open ChefBear on iPhone, tap the camera button, and point at the menu. ChefBear recognizes every dish, translates dish names and ingredients, and shows what each dish looks like — even if the menu has no photos.
Does the menu translator handle hand-written menus?
Yes — ChefBear's OCR tolerates hand-writing, glare, and angled photos. Clarity improves with better-lit, flatter photos.
Translate your next menu in 30 seconds.
Download on theApp StoreRelated: AI menu · AI help me order · Menu scanner · AI dish photos