Here are Tagalog phrases you’ll hear in Philippine restaurants.

Filipinos love to eat. Whether it’s in a fine dining restaurant, a fastfood joint, a bistro, or even a streetside carinderia, you’ll find Pinoys talking, drinking, and eating to our hearts’ content. Learn some Tagalog phrases to say in between mouthfuls.

Tagalog Words / Phrases

ristawran, ristoran - restaurant
panciteria - Chinese restaurant

Waiter, pahingi po ng menu. - Waiter, the menu, please. (polite form)
Waiter, ang menu nga. - Waiter, the menu.

Anong masarap dito? - What is delicious here?
Anong ispeysyal nyo? - What’s your specialty?

Isang (order ng)… - One order of…
Dalawang (order ng)… - Two orders of…
Tatlong (order ng)… - Three orders of…
Apat na (order ng)… - Four orders of…
Apat na kape - Four (cups of ) coffee…

Gulay - vegetables
Pakbet - Combination of squash, string beans, okra
Ampalaya - bitter gourd
Ampalaya con carne - bitter gourd with beef

Manok - chicken
Tinolang manok - boiled chicken in chicken stock soup with green papaya
Piniritong manok - fried chicken

Adobo - meat boiled in vinegar and soy sauce
Adobong manok/baboy - Chicken/pork cooked adobo style

Nilagang baka/baboy - boiled beef/pork
Sinigang na baka/hipon/baboy - boiled beef/shrimp/pork in sour broth

Lumpia - egg roll
Lumpiang ubod - egg roll with mince banana heart

Wala bang panghimagas? - Any dessert?
Anong matamis? - Anything sweet?
Ubeng halaya - sweetened purple yam
Halo-halo - Crushed ice with sweetened fruit chunks, red beans, coconut strips

Meron bang mangga? - Do you have mangoes?
Matamis ba? - Are they sweet?

Waiter, ang chit nga… - Waiter, the bill please…

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