Why learn Pidgin for Plate Lunch?
Walking into a local Hawaiian plate lunch spot can be intimidating if you don't know the lingo. But mastering just a few essential Hawaiian Pidgin phrases will make you sound like a local, earn respect from the staff, and help you get exactly what you want from your meal.
Whether you're visiting Hawaii or you're a new resident, this guide will teach you 15 authentic phrases you'll hear (and need to use) at every plate lunch counter from Honolulu to Hilo.
Plate lunch is more than just food in Hawaii—it's a cultural institution. Using Pidgin shows respect for local culture and makes your dining experience more authentic and enjoyable.
The Essential 15 Phrases
"Grindz"
Meaning: Food (noun) or to eat (verb)
Usage: "Da grindz stay ono!" (The food is delicious!) or "We going grind!" (We're going to eat!)
"Eh, where get good grindz around here?"
"Two scoop rice"
Meaning: The standard serving - two scoops of white rice
Usage: This is the default. Say "one scoop" or "three scoop" if you want to change it.
"Can get da chicken katsu wit' two scoop rice?"
"Ono"
Meaning: Delicious, tasty
Usage: "Dis plate stay ono!" = "This plate is delicious!"
"Da loco moco stay ono, brah!"
"Can get...?"
Meaning: Can I have...? / Do you have...?
Usage: The standard way to order. "Can get one plate?"
"Can get da mixed plate wit' extra mac salad?"
"Choke"
Meaning: A lot, plenty
Usage: "Choke mac salad" = lots of mac salad.
"Can put choke gravy on top?"
Putting It All Together
You: "Howzit! Can get one mixed plate?"
Worker: "Shoots, what kind meat you like?"
You: "Can get da chicken katsu and kalbi? Two scoop rice wit' choke mac salad."
Worker: "Can put extra gravy?"
You: "Shoots! And for take out. How much?"
Worker: "$12.50"
You: "Tanks ah!"
Ready to Sound Like a Local?
Learn more Hawaiian Pidgin with our complete dictionary and translator