Food & Drinks

1. 這个偌濟錢？

   Tsit-ê juā-tsē tsînn?

   How much is this?

   Usage

   Basic phrase to ask the price of food at a stall or market. Regional variation: 偌濟 is said guā-tsē, guā-tsuē or juā-tsē.

   Grammar Note

   "Juā-tsē" literally means "how many/much." A standard price-asking formula

2. 我欲一碗滷肉飯

   Guá beh tsi̍t-uánn lóo-bah-pn̄g

   I'd like one bowl of braised pork rice

   Usage

   Ordering lu rou fan (braised pork rice), one of Taiwan's most iconic dishes

   Grammar Note

   "Beh" expresses desire or intention. This is the standard way to order food in Taiwanese

3. 有素食無？

   Ū sòo-si̍t bô?

   Do you have vegetarian options?

   Usage

   Taiwan has a strong vegetarian culture due to Buddhism. Ask this at any eatery

   Grammar Note

   "Bô" at the end of a sentence turns it into a yes/no question in Taiwanese

4. 真好食

   Tsin hó-tsia̍h

   Very delicious

   Usage

   Express that food is delicious after eating it

   Grammar Note

   "Tsin" is an intensifying adverb meaning very. "Hó-tsia̍h" literally means "good to eat"

5. 請予我一杯珍珠奶茶

   Tshiánn hōo guá tsi̍t-pue tin-tsu-ling-tê

   Please give me one cup of bubble tea

   Usage

   Ordering bubble tea, a drink invented in Taiwan

   Grammar Note

   "Tin-tsu" refers to the tapioca pearls. "Ling-tê" means milk tea

6. 我對蝦過敏

   Guá tuì hê kuè-bín

   I am allergic to shrimp

   Usage

   Important phrase to inform staff about a food allergy

   Grammar Note

   "Tuì…kuè-bín" means allergic to something. Swap the food item as needed

7. 算數

   Sǹg-siàu

   Check, please

   Usage

   Short phrase to request the bill after eating

   Grammar Note

   "Sǹg" means to calculate and "siàu" means account/ledger. An idiomatic billing request

8. 無愛加辣

   Bô-ài ke-lua̍h

   No extra spice, please

   Usage

   Ask for no extra chili when ordering food

   Grammar Note

   "Bô-ài" negates a desire. "Ke" means to add. A standard customization phrase for spice level

9. 這个是啥物？

   Tsit-ê sī siánn-mih?

   What is this?

   Usage

   Ask what a dish or menu item is when you're not sure

   Grammar Note

   "Siánn-mih" is the Min Nan word for "what," equivalent to Mandarin "shénme"

10. 我欲外帶

    Guá beh guā-tuà

    I'd like it to go / takeaway

    Usage

    Tell the vendor you want your order to go

    Grammar Note

    "Guā-tuà" means take outside. The opposite, "lāi-iōng," means to eat in

11. 飯

    Pn̄g

    Cooked rice

    Usage

    Refers to cooked rice, which is a different word from raw rice

12. 麭

    Pháng

    Bread

    Usage

    Point at it when ordering breakfast or a snack

13. 麵

    Mī

    Noodles

    Usage

    Point at it when choosing a staple

14. 生的

    Tshenn--ê

    Raw / Uncooked

    Usage

    Point at it when you want to avoid uncooked food

15. 薟

    Hiam

    Spicy hot

    Usage

    Point at it to check the heat of a dish or ask for it mild

16. 鹽

    Iâm

    Salt

    Usage

    Point at it at a market or a table

17. 糖

    Thn̂g

    Sugar

    Usage

    Point at it at a market or a table

18. 胡椒

    Hôo-tsio

    Pepper

    Usage

    Point at it at a market or a table

19. 油

    Iû

    Oil

    Usage

    Point at cooking oil, also useful when asking for less of it

20. 醋

    Tshòo

    Vinegar

    Usage

    Point at it at a market or a table

21. 蜂蜜

    Phang-bi̍t

    Honey

    Usage

    Point at it at a market or at breakfast

22. 豆腐

    Tāu-hū

    Tofu

    Usage

    Point at it when ordering vegetarian food

23. 湯

    Thng

    Soup

    Usage

    Point at it when ordering

24. 果子

    Kué-tsí

    Fruit

    Usage

    Point at it at a market

25. 蒜頭

    Suàn-thâu

    Garlic

    Usage

    Point at it to ask for a dish without it

26. 洋蔥

    Iûnn-tshang

    Onion

    Usage

    Point at it to ask for a dish without it

27. 番薑仔

    Huan-kiunn-á

    Chilli pepper

    Usage

    Point at it when asking to adjust the heat of a dish

28. 芫荽

    Iân-sui

    Coriander / Cilantro

    Usage

    Point at it to ask for a dish without it

29. 薑

    Kiunn

    Ginger

    Usage

    Point at it at a market

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