You can’t come to Puerto Rico without trying the local cuisine. Whether you are planning on eating at local restaurants or buying food at local markets, it’s a good idea to have a basic understanding of the Puerto Rican names of food and dishes.
Learning some of these (if not all) will help you enjoy your trip here, even more.
Spanish
English
Desayuno
Breakfast
Almuerzo
Lunch
Cena
Dinner
Antojito
Snacks
Carta
Menu
Tenedor
Fork
Cuchillo
Knife
Cuchara
Spoon
Cuenta
Check / Bill
Types of Puerto Rican Cooking
A la Parilla
Grilled
Al Horno
Baked
Asado
Roast
Frito
Fried
Guisado
Stewed
A la Brasa
Braised
Ahumado
Smoked
Tostado
Toasted
Typical Puerto Rican Dishes
Alcapurria
Taro fritter stuffed with meat or cheese
Amarillo
Baked plantain
Arroz con Grandules
Rice with green pigeon peas
Arroz con Pollo
Rice with chicken
Arroz y Habichuelas
Rice & Beans
Asopoa
Soup
Bacalito
Codfish fritter
Chicharrón
Pork crackling (fried pork skin)
Croquetas de pescados
Fish croquettes
Empanada / Empanadilla
Fried pastry turnover stuffed with meat
Mofongo
Fried and mashed green plantain
Pasteles
Shredded root vegetable tamales
Queso Blanco
Puerto Rican white cheese
Relleno
Ground beef and mashed potato fritter
Tostones
Fried green plantains
Pescados & Mariscos
Fish & Seafood
Albacora
Swordfish
Atun
Tuna
Bacalao
Codfish
Calamares
Squid
Camarones
Shrimp, Prawns
Carrucho
Conch
Chillo
Red Snapper
Dorado
Mahi-mahi
Jueyes
Crabs
Langosta
Lobster
Pulpo
Octopus
Robalo
Sea Bass
Sardinas
Sardines
Salmón
Salmon
Carne & Aves
Meat & Poultry
Albóndigas
Meatballs
Bistec
Steak
Cabrito
Baby goat
Cerdo
Pork
Chorizo
Spicy Sausage
Chuleta
Pork chop
Chuletón
T-bone steak
Churrasco
Skirt steak
Conejo
Rabbit
Cordero
Lamb
Filete
Beef tenderloin
Gallina
Hen
Guinea
Guinea hen
Gandinza
Pigs liver
Jamon
Ham
Lechón Asado
Roast Pig
Molida
Ground as in ground beef
Pato
Duck
Pavo
Turkey
Pinchos
Kebabs
Pollo
Chicken
Ropa Vieja
Shredded beef
Salchicha
Sausage
Ternera
Veal
Tocino
Bacon
Verduras / Vegetables
Vegetables
Apio
Celery
Berenjena
Eggplant / Aubergine
Calabaza
Pumpkin
Cebolla
Onion
Garbanzos
Chickpeas
Habichuelas
Beans
Maíz
Corn
Papa
Potato
Papas Fritas
French fries
Pimiento
Bell pepper
Repollo
Cabbage
Tomate
Tomato
Frutas
Fruits
Aguacate
Avocado
Cereza
Cherry
China
Orange
Coco
Coconut
Fresa
Strawberry
Guayaba
Guava
Guineo
Banana
Limon
Lemon
Lima
Lime
Piña
Pineapple
Toronja
Grapefruit
Ulvas
Grapes
Dulces & Postres
Sweets & Desserts
Arroz con dulce
Rice pudding
Flan
Custard / creme caramel
Galleta
Cookie / biscuit
Limber
Frozen fruit juice
Tembleque
Coconut milk & sugar custard
Tres Leches
Cake made with 3 milks
Bebidas
Drinks
Agua
Water
Batidas
Fruit shakes
Cafe
Coffee
Cafe con leche
Coffee with milk
Cafe negro
Black coffee
Cerveza
Beer
Coquito
Rum eggnog (Christmas drink)
Jugo
Juice
Mavi
Fermented drink from Mavi bark
Piragua
Shaved ice drizzled with fruit syrup
Refresco
Soda / fizzy pop
Ron
Rum
Té
Tea
Vino tinto
Red wine
Vino blanco
White wine
The above list is just a sample of what you can eat and drink here in Puerto Rico. If you think that one of the translations may not be correct, please add to the comments section below. Also, if there is anything that I have missed off that you think should be there, again, please add to the comments below.
Photo resource: booleansplit, cocola88, nikonvscanon, bigberto, nataliemaynor, heydrienne, sophiea and rajuvaidyazuiq
