Cho tôi xem thực đơn được không ạ?
Approx. pronunciation: chaw toy sem thuk dun duhk khom ah
Could I see the menu, please?
Make your next meal easier.
Ordering Food in Vietnamese
Use a simple, polite flow to get a menu, place your order, and check the details.
Start the lesson
Follow the ordering flow
A few small steps can make a restaurant interaction feel much more natural.
Start with a greeting or a polite request for attention, look over the menu, and point to a dish if you are unsure of its name. Then say what you would like and ask any important follow-up question.
The word “ạ” at the end of a request adds a respectful tone. It is especially useful when speaking with a server or someone you have just met.
Get a menu and attention
Use these phrases when you are ready to begin.
Cho tôi gọi món ạ.
Approx. pronunciation: chaw toy goy mon ah
I would like to order.
Cho tôi món này ạ.
Approx. pronunciation: chaw toy mon nay ah
I will have this dish, please.
Make your order clear
Pointing and adding one detail can prevent a mix-up.
Cho tôi một phần ạ.
Approx. pronunciation: chaw toy moht fun ah
One serving, please.
Không cay nhé.
Approx. pronunciation: khom kai nyeh
Not spicy, please.
Cho tôi thêm nước lọc được không ạ?
Approx. pronunciation: chaw toy them nuhk lawk duhk khom ah
Could I have some more water, please?
Check the details before eating
A quick confirmation is useful when the restaurant is busy.
If you ordered by pointing, repeat the number of portions or the requested change when the server confirms it. “Đúng rồi” means “That is right,” while “Không phải” means “That is not it.”
If you need to change an order, ask promptly and politely. Once the food arrives, compare it with what you requested rather than assuming a small difference is intentional.
Try a restaurant order
Here is a short exchange you can adapt to many menus.
You Cho tôi gọi món ạ. Cho tôi món này và một phần ạ. I would like to order. I will have this dish, one serving, please.
Server Bạn có muốn thêm nước không? Would you like some water as well?
You Có, cho tôi một chai nước lọc ạ. Yes, one bottle of water, please.
Finish politely
The same calm tone works when you are ready to pay.
To ask for the bill, say “Tính tiền giúp tôi với ạ.” You can also say “Cho tôi thanh toán ạ” to say that you would like to pay. “Cảm ơn” is a natural way to thank the server or vendor.
Keep “ạ” as a useful politeness marker, not a word that needs a literal translation every time. Your tone and a friendly expression matter too.