From ancient times, Chinese restaurants have been placed into different categories by their size and the food served to suit different palates and pockets. Eating-places of homely fare are plainly fitted and serve simple food, mostly frequented by common folk.

The signs at ordinary eateries are usually frames of flour sieves, but less elegant than those for big restaurants. As illustrated in this picture, one is made of wood, with trailing white cotton strings (1), while the other is a thin string tied with three wine cups with trailing a red silk sign pendant (2).