Abstract: The narrative of meals in A Dream of Red Mansions has been a topic of concern to critics. Among the numerous descriptions about daily meals in the novel, some are simple, acting as narrative techniques such as introduction, development, transition and closure, and some are more specific, functioning as narrative techniques and narrative contents at the same time. As narrative contents, they provide ideological meaning and literary value. And as narrative techniques, they play important roles in structuring, plotting and characterization. By studying the narrative of meals, we could see the difference between chapters 1-80 and the rest of the chapters. Cao Xueqin consciously narrates and describes meals as an important aspect of the family's daily life, which, on the one hand, reflects essential aspects of the noble family, and on the other hand, reveals the exploration and innovation of A Dream of Red Mansions in the narration of fiction.

Key words: A Dream of Red Mansions, meals, narrative methods, narrative content