“I contemplated focusing my research on translating Chinese food but at the end of the day, all I could say about that is, well, it’s all so untranslatable,” he concludes.

Among her favorite examples is stir-fried cabbage, which she saw translated as “handbag food.” This is because the word for Chinese cabbage, baocai, is made up of two Chinese characters.

Among her favorite examples is stir-fried cabbage, which she saw translated as “handbag food.” This is because the word for Chinese cabbage, baocai, is made up of two Chinese characters.

As a food item, it’s already been recognized as Peking duck — let’s not mess with that.” With more Chinese traveling abroad, translation errors can go both ways.

As a food item, it’s already been recognized as Peking duck — let’s not mess with that.” With more Chinese traveling abroad, translation errors can go both ways.

Why translating Chinese food names into English is ‘an impossible task’ bonchan/iStockphoto/Getty Images via CNN Newsource Lion's head is a minced pork ball. It's deep-fried then braised in a pot ...

As a food item, it’s already been recognized as Peking duck — let’s not mess with that.” With more Chinese traveling abroad, translation errors can go both ways.