Đây là món gì ạ?
Approx. pronunciation: day la mon zee ah
What dish is this?
Turn menu words into choices.
Reading a Vietnamese Menu
Learn a practical set of words and questions for understanding what is on the page.
Start the lesson
Scan before translating every word
A menu becomes easier when you look for familiar patterns first.
Look for the dish name, a number or price, and words that describe a portion or serving. You can point to a photo or line and ask about it rather than trying to translate the whole menu at once.
The word “món” means dish, “thực đơn” means menu, and “giá” means price. These are useful anchors when a page has many unfamiliar words.
Ask what a dish contains
Use direct questions when the menu description is too brief.
Món này gồm những gì ạ?
Approx. pronunciation: mon nay goom nyung zee ah
What does this dish include?
Món này có cay không ạ?
Approx. pronunciation: mon nay kaw kai khom ah
Is this dish spicy?
Understand portions and prices
These phrases help you choose the right amount and check the cost.
Một phần có đủ cho hai người không ạ?
Approx. pronunciation: moht fun kaw doo chaw hai nguhy khom ah
Is one serving enough for two people?
Giá bao nhiêu ạ?
Approx. pronunciation: zah bao nyew ah
How much does it cost?
Có phần nhỏ không ạ?
Approx. pronunciation: kaw fun nyaw khom ah
Is there a small portion?
Confirm before you point
A menu line may not answer every practical question.
When several dishes look similar, point to the line you mean and repeat the name slowly. Ask whether the price is for one serving or another quantity if the menu does not make that clear.
Vietnamese menu wording can vary by restaurant. Treat a familiar word as a useful clue, then confirm the dish, portion, price, and any ingredient that matters to you directly with the staff.
Use the menu at the table
This exchange shows how to combine a menu question with a portion check.
You Món này gồm những gì ạ? Có cay không ạ? What does this dish include? Is it spicy?
Server Món này không cay. Một phần đủ cho một người. This dish is not spicy. One serving is enough for one person.
You Vậy cho tôi hai phần ạ. In that case, two servings, please.
Order from what you learned
You only need enough vocabulary to make one clear choice at a time.
Once you know the dish and portion you want, point to it and say “Cho tôi món này ạ.” If you want to keep reading, say “Tôi xem thêm một chút được không ạ?” to ask for a little more time.
Keep a note of words you see more than once. Building a small personal menu vocabulary is more useful than memorizing a long list without context.