How to Pronounce These 12 Menu Items

How to Pronounce These 12 Menu Items

You're certain to come across menu items you can't even recognize, let alone pronounce, whether you're travelling abroad or enjoying the melting pot cuisine culture. Take the time to brush up on the right pronunciation for these popular menu items instead of stumbling through your order and praying the wait staff is too polite to cringe.


Italian

Bruschetta (broo-SKAY-tuh)

Bruschetta is a flavorful appetizer made from grilled bread that has been smeared with garlic and sprinkled with olive oil and salt. Many a hungry customer has been tripped up by the cluster of consonants in the middle of the term bruschetta, which is usually topped with mozzarella and veggies such as tomatoes and onion.


Caprese (cuh-PRAY-zay)

A Caprese salad is a salad made with sliced tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil that is both subtle in flavour and prominent in appearance. The contrasting flavours of each component are enhanced by a seasoning of olive oil and salt. If you wish to avoid saying "tomato and cheese salad" when ordering a Caprese, make sure you enunciate every vowel, emphasizing the second syllable.


French

Bouillabaisse (BOO-yah-bays)


Bouillabaisse is a fish stew from Marseille, a port city in southeastern France, that combines spices and herbs from the Provence region. Onion, tomatoes, potatoes, and seafood such as crabs and mollusks may also be used. It's frequently accompanied by a rouille and grilled bread.


Vichyssoise (vee-shee-SWOZZ)


Vichyssoise is a simple purée made with leeks, potatoes, onions, cream, and broth, but it has a complicated history. This soup is named after the French town of Vichy and is customarily served cold, despite the fact that most food historians now attribute its invention to an American cook.


South/Central American

Acai (uh-SIGH-ee)


Acai berries, a health food staple, have gained popularity in recent years. They grow in panicles on tall palms and are native to Brazil and Peru, among other places. Although many of the claims made about acai berries should be discounted as health-fad hype, they are high in antioxidants and can be utilized to create oil for a variety of cosmetics.

Valencian

Paella (pa-EH-ya)

Although paella is actually a sort of cooking pan, it is most commonly associated with the classic Valencian dish. Proteins and a variety of beans, commonly seasoned with rosemary or saffron, are sautéed in olive oil until softened after the pan is set over an open fire. After adding the broth and rice, the entire dish is allowed to boil and absorb the aromatic smoke from the orange and pine branches that are used to fuel the fire.


Mediterranean


Gyro (YEE-roh)


Gyros are commonly packed with pork in Greece, although they can also be stuffed with chicken, lamb, or beef. The protein is wrapped in pita bread with tzatziki sauce, onion, tomato, and other veggies after it has been cooked.


Tzatziki (tsat-ZEE-kee)

Tzatziki is used in many Mediterranean dishes, including the gyro mentioned above, so knowing how to pronounce it is essential if you want the whole Mediterranean experience. This sauce can be served as a drizzle, dip, or soup and is made with strained yoghurt, cucumbers, and a variety of seasonings, making it one of the most adaptable options on the menu.


Vietnamese


Pho (fuh)

Pho is a popular Vietnamese street cuisine that is normally exclusively available in dine-in restaurants in the United States. It's made up of rice noodles, pork or chicken, and herbs in a broth that's been cooked for a long time to enhance the flavour profile. Bean sprouts, onions, and lime can all be served as garnishes alongside the entrée.


Banh Mi (bahn-mee)

Banh mi can refer to both a baguette-like bread and a ready-to-eat sandwich with all of its ingredients. Pork sausage, cucumber, and pickled carrots are particularly popular, though a broad variety of meats and vegetables can be utilized. Since the early 1900s, it has been regarded as a mainstay of Vietnamese cuisine and is frequently offered as street food.


English


Worcestershire (WUSS-ter-sher)

Worcestershire sauce's precise pronunciation is highly discussed in the United States, as difficult to spell as it is to utter. The exact pronunciation can seem rather strange to American ears because it is named for its birthplace, a city called Worcester in England. Fermented anchovies, vinegar, and garlic, among other spices and seasonings, are used to make this sauce. Marinades, stews, and even certain drinks contain it.


Hawaiian


Poke (POH-kay)

Poke is a simple but classic dish made of raw fish (usually tuna or salmon) and sesame oil, soy sauce, and sea salt. In recent years, what began as a quick snack for Hawaiian fishermen has evolved into a popular dinner as more restaurants add it to their menus. As chefs experiment with the meal, ingredients like onions, octopus, and shellfish are becoming more popular.