डोगी बैग मिलेगा?

You use this at the end of a meal. Just catch the waiter's eye and say the phrase. You can add भैया (Bhaiya - brother/waiter) at the start to be extra friendly. Most restaurants in India are very used to this. They will usually take your plate to the kitchen and bring back a packed container.

Use it at any casual or mid-range dining spot. It is perfect when you realize you ordered too much naan. It works great at weddings too if you are close with the hosts. Use it whenever you feel that 'food guilt' of leaving a delicious dish behind. Your fridge will thank you later tonight!

Avoid this at extremely high-end, fine-dining 'Michelin-style' restaurants. In those places, use more formal English or ask for 'packing'. Don't use it if you are a guest at someone's house for the first time. It might look like you are raiding their kitchen! Also, avoid it if the food is communal and others are still eating.

India has a deep-rooted culture of not wasting food (called जूठा or 'jootha' avoidance). While the term 'Doggy Bag' is Western, it became popular in Indian cities via global food culture. Interestingly, most people don't actually give the food to dogs. They eat it for breakfast the next day! It represents the practical, middle-class Indian value of 'paisa vasool' (getting your money's worth).

You might hear पैक कर दो (Pack kar do) which means 'Please pack it'. Another common one is लेफ्टओवर पैक कर दीजिए (Leftover pack kar dijiye). If you want to be very formal, you can say क्या आप इसे पैक कर सकते हैं? (Kya aap ise pack kar sakte hain?). But डोगी बैग is the most 'cool' and conversational version.