Ordering at a Malaysian Eatery: From Kedai Makan to Mamak
Phrases for ordering food and drinks in Malay, the types of eateries you'll find, and how the bill works.
Eating out in Malaysia is easy and cheap, and a few phrases go a long way.
Types of eateries
| Place | Meaning |
|---|---|
| kedai makan | a simple food shop |
| restoran | restaurant |
| kedai kopi | coffee shop |
| gerai | stall |
| pasar malam | night market |
| mamak | an Indian-Muslim eatery, often open late |
| warung | a small food stall |
Getting attention and ordering
- Abang / Kakak! — Excuse me! (to staff)
- Boleh saya lihat menu? — May I see the menu?
- Saya nak nasi goreng. — I want fried rice.
- Bagi saya teh tarik satu. — Give me one teh tarik.
- Satu lagi, tolong. — One more, please.
Nak is the casual form of mahu (want).
Customising
- Kurang manis. — Less sweet.
- Tak nak ais. — No ice.
- Tidak pedas. — Not spicy.
- Tambah pedas. — Extra spicy.
- Bungkus. — Take away.
- Makan sini. — Eat here.
Paying
- Tolong kira. — The bill, please.
- Berapa semua? — How much altogether?
- Boleh bayar dengan kad? — Can I pay by card?
- Baki — change
Complimenting the food
- Sedap! — Delicious!
- Terima kasih, makanan sedap. — Thank you, the food was delicious.
Table words
| Malay | Meaning |
|---|---|
| sudu | spoon |
| garpu | fork |
| pinggan | plate |
| cawan | cup |
| gelas | glass |
| tisu | tissue |
Etiquette
- Use your right hand to eat and to pass things.
- Wait for elders to begin when eating with a group.
- Say terima kasih to staff.
Tips
- Learn "bagi saya" and "nak".
- Learn "bungkus" and "makan sini".
- Use the dictionary to check menu words.
English Malay Dictionary
Offline English–Malay (Bahasa Melayu) dictionary with clear, accurate meanings
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