Menu originally refers to the list of dishes provided by restaurants, and now refers to the list of options that appear on the display screen during the operation of computer programs, and also refers to the list of various service items, which has a wider meaning.

The menu in a broad sense refers to all the information related to the products, prices and services of catering enterprises in the restaurant, including not only all kinds of words, pictures, audio-visual materials, models and physical materials, but also the menu written by the waiter after the customer orders.

In a narrow sense, the menu refers to all kinds of printed materials prepared by catering enterprises to introduce their products, services and prices for the convenience of customers.

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The initial menu is a list of dishes with a price list. But the function of the original menu is not to explain the content and price of the dishes to the guests, but to remind the chefs not to forget the dishes.

It is said that in the early16th century, French court dishes were very common. 1533, Princess Cardinal of King Henry II of France brought a chef from Florence as a dowry, and French court dishes gradually improved. In order to remember the cooking methods and raw materials of these Italian dishes, French chefs recorded them, which is the prototype of the menu.

It was not until the middle of16th century that these records really became the menu of guests.

1554, the Marquis of Brunswick held a dinner in his mansion. Every time a dish is sent, the Marquis looks at the list on the table. When the guest knows that he is reading the menu, he appreciates this method very much. Everyone rushed to follow suit and made a menu in advance when hosting the banquet, and the menu really appeared.