guarnición
neutral
A "side dish" in Mexican Spanish is a guarnición or an acompañamiento. Both are understood, and acompañamiento is the more everyday word at the table.
Meaning: food served alongside a main dish (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| guarnición | neutral |
| acompañamiento | neutral, Mexico |
In a fonda, a restaurant serving set meals, you may be asked ¿qué acompañamiento quiere? and answer arroz or frijoles.
Which one should you use?
Guarnición can also be a decorative or small portion added to the plate. Acompañamiento can also refer to anything that goes with food, like tortillas.
When do people say it?
In a comida corrida the set lunch usually includes soup, rice, a main dish and a side of beans.
Did you know?
- A set lunch in Mexico is often called comida corrida and includes several courses at a fixed price.
Examples in context
- ¿Qué guarnición trae el platillo?What side does the dish come with?
- De acompañamiento quiero frijoles.For a side I want beans.
- Las tortillas son el acompañamiento de todo.Tortillas are the side to everything.
Example conversation
Waiter Chuy takes the order of Alma at a fonda in Mexico City.
- ChuyBuenas tardes. ¿Qué acompañamiento quiere?Good afternoon. Which side would you like?
- AlmaArroz y frijoles, por favor.Rice and beans, please.
- ChuyMuy bien. ¿Algo de tomar?Very good. Anything to drink?
