Language/Tagalog/Vocabulary/Food-and-Drinks

Tagalog → Vocabulary → Food and Drinks

Introduction

Kumain na ba kayo? (Have you eaten?) One of the most common questions you will hear from Filipinos is about food. Filipinos are known for their love of food, and their cuisine is a melting pot of different flavors and influences from Spain, China, Malaysia, India, and other countries. In this lesson, you will learn some basic Tagalog words and phrases related to food and drinks. Whether you want to order in a restaurant or impress your Filipino friends with your knowledge of local food, this lesson is for you.

Consider exploring these related pages after completing this lesson: Days and Months & Daily Routine.

Food

Mga pagkaing Pilipino (Filipino food) is diverse and delicious. From adobo to sinigang, every region in the Philippines has its own specialties. Here are some common Filipino dishes and their Tagalog names:

Tagalog	Pronunciation	English
adobo	a-DO-bo	adobo (meat stewed in vinegar and soy sauce)
sinigang	si-NI-gang	sinigang (sour soup with meat, vegetables, and tamarind)
kare-kare	ka-RE-ka-RE	kare-kare (stew made with oxtail, peanut sauce, and vegetables)
lechon	le-CHON	lechon (roasted pig)
pakbet	PAK-bet	pakbet (mixed vegetables with shrimp paste)
sisig	SI-sig	sisig (chopped meat and liver usually served on a sizzling plate)

Here are some common adjectives used to describe the taste and texture of food:

• Malinamnam - delicious
• Maanghang - spicy
• Maasim - sour
• Matamis - sweet
• Maalat - salty
• Makunat - chewy
• Malambot - tender/soft

Here is how you can ask for food in Tagalog:

• Gusto ko ng... - I want...
• Magkano ito? - How much is this?
• Pwede bang magpa-order? - Can I order?
• Ito na po ang bayad ko. - Here's my payment.
• Take-out, please. - Take-out, sana.

Drinks

Filipinos also love their drinks, especially during hot weather. Here are some common Filipino drinks and their Tagalog names:

Tagalog	Pronunciation	English
halo-halo	HA-lo-HA-lo	halo-halo (shaved ice with sweet beans, fruits, and milk)
sago't gulaman	SA-go't gu-LA-man	sago and gulaman (sweet drink with tapioca and jelly)
buko juice	BU-ko juice	coconut juice
san miguel beer	SAN mi-GUEL beer	San Miguel beer (popular Filipino beer)

Here are some common phrases and expressions related to drinks:

• Saan po merong malapit na tindahan ng beer? - Where is the nearest beer store?
• Ilang bote ng beer ang kailangan natin? - How many bottles of beer do we need?
• Mayroon po bang tubig dito? - Do you have water here?
• Pa-order po ng halo-halo. - I'll have halo-halo.
• Salamat po. - Thank you.

Cultural Insight

Food is not only about taste and nourishment in the Philippines, but also about community, celebration, and identity. Filipinos love to gather around food, whether it's in a festive fiesta, a simple merienda, or a family gathering. Food is also an expression of creativity, resourcefulness, and adaptability. Filipinos have a knack for turning scraps and leftovers into delicious meals, and for experimenting with new ingredients and flavors.

Other Lessons

• Colors and Shapes
• Directions and Transportation
• Idiomatic Expressions
• Months of the Year
• Clothes
• Health
• Greetings and Polite Expressions
• Education
• Say Yes
• Days, Months, and Seasons

Sources

• Tagalog lessons: Meals
• Food and Drinks in Tagalog | Pinhok Languages