Argentine food terms are a must-know if you want to be well-versed in global cuisine. But first, where exactly is Argentina? Argentina is a South American country located in the southern portion of the continent. Its elongated shape could be likened to a chicken tender. The primary language spoken there is Spanish.

Argentine cuisine

Argentine cuisine is strongly influenced by Spain and Italy. Therefore, beef, pasta and pizzas are much more common than seafood and vegetables. If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, you may want to research restaurants and eateries ahead of time that are willing to accommodate your diet. Or, if you have the means, you may want to prepare your food yourself.

If you find yourself eating in Argentina, know that the locals eat late into the evening. Dinner is usually eaten at 9:30pm or later.

Here is a list of basic food words and terms for you to familiarize yourself with for your next trip to Argentina, or your local Argentine restaurant.

Argentine food terms (Spanish)

Expand your international dining vocabulary with these basic food-related words translated from English to Spanish.

meat – carne

• pork – cerdo
• beef – carne de vaca (literal translation “meat of cow”)

poultry – aves de corral

• turkey – pavo
• duck – pato
• chicken – pollo

seafood – mariscos

• fish – pescado
• shrimp – camarónes
• oyster – ostra
• shellfish – mariscos

meatless/no meat – sin carne

• vegetables – vegetales
• fruits – frutas
• eggs – huevos
• tofu – tofu
• nuts – nueces
• vegetarian – vegetariano (male) / vegetariana (female)
• vegan – vegano (male) / vegana (female)

drinks – bebidas

• water – agua
• alcohol – alcohol
• beer – cerveza
• wine – vino

other eating/dining-related terms

• yes – sí
• no – no
• good – bueno
• yummy – sabroso
• eat – comer (literally “to eat”)
• cook – cocinar
• I’m hungry – tengo hambre
• I’m full – estoy lleno
• more – más
• less – menos
• only – solo
• please – por favor
• thank you – gracias

• baked – horneado
• fried – frito
• grilled – a la parilla
• roasted – asado
• steamed – cocer al vapor

• hot – caliente
• warm – caliente
• cold – frío

• bitter – amargo
• salty – salado
• spicy – picante
• sweet – dulce

• allergic – alérgico
• bathroom – el baño

Argentine food to try

• asado / parrillada – Argentine barbecue
• bife de ancho/chorizo – ribeye/sirloin steak
• chimichurri – Argentine pesto
• choripán – grilled sausage sandwich
• empanadas – handheld savory turnover

• alfajor – sweet sandwich cookies
• dulce de leche – rich custard-like caramel dessert

• maqui – a native berry considered to be a superfood

Interested in learning about other cuisines around the world? Discover food terms from other countries here.

Kristina Reynolds

Kristina Reynolds is the Founder & CEO of Glutto and an alumna of the University of California, San Diego.  She writes articles & posts for Glutto Digest with insights from fellow industry experts.  Furthermore, she is the author of The Fittest Food Lovers: How EVERY BODY Can be Incredibly Fit and Still Enjoy Food, a collaborative philanthropic book with proceeds going to charities that fight world hunger.