How to Pronounce These 12 Menu Items

Whether you're traveling abroad or enjoying the United States' melting pot food culture, you're bound to happen across menu items you can't even recognize, much less pronounce. Instead of stumbling through your order and hoping the wait staff is too polite to cringe, take a moment to brush up on the proper pronunciation for these popular menu items.

Italian

Bruschetta (broo-SKAY-tuh)

Bruschetta is a simple but flavor-packed appetizer consisting of grilled bread rubbed with garlic and drizzled with olive oil and salt. Usually topped with mozzarella and vegetables such as tomatoes and onion, bruschetta has tripped up many a hungry customer due to the cluster of consonants in the middle of the word.

Caprese (cuh-PRAY-zay)

Subtle in taste and bold in presentation, a caprese is a salad made from sliced tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil. A seasoning of olive oil and salt enhances the contrasting flavors of each ingredient. If you want to avoid the less-appetizing phrase "tomato and cheese salad" when ordering a caprese, be sure to enunciate every vowel, placing emphasis on the second syllable.

French

Bouillabaisse (BOO-yah-bays)

Hailing from Marseille, a port city located in southeastern France, bouillabaisse is a fish stew that includes spices and herbs native to the Provence region. Other ingredients may include onion, tomatoes, potatoes, and seafood such as crustaceans and mollusks. Oftentimes, it is served with a rouille and grilled bread.

Vichyssoise (vee-shee-SWOZZ)

Vichyssoise is a simple purée of leeks, potatoes, onions, cream, and broth, but its origins are anything but straightforward. While most food historians now credit its creation to an American chef, this soup is named after the French town of Vichy and is traditionally served cold.

South/Central American

Acai (uh-SIGH-ee)

A health food staple, acai berries have become fairly popular in recent years. They are native to Brazil and Peru, among other areas, and grow in panicles on tall palms. Although many claims made about acai berries can be dismissed as health-fad hype, they truly are rich in antioxidants and can be used to make oil for a wide range of beauty products.

Valencian

Paella (pa-EH-ya)

Paella technically refers to a type of cooking pan, but most people associate it with the traditional Valencian dish. After the pan is placed over an open fire, proteins and a variety of beans – usually seasoned by rosemary or saffron – are sautéed in olive oil until they soften. Once the broth and rice are added, the whole dish is left to simmer and absorb the aromatic smoke of the orange and pine branches fueling the fire.

Mediterranean

Gyro (YEE-roh)

Although gyros are customarily prepared with pork in Greece, you can also find them stuffed with chicken, lamb, and beef. After it is cooked, the protein is wrapped in pita bread along with tzatziki sauce, onion, tomato, and other vegetables.

Tzatziki (tsat-ZEE-kee)

Many Mediterranean dishes – such as the gyro listed above – make great use of tzatziki, so it's vital to know how to pronounce it if you want the full Mediterranean experience. Made from strained yogurt, cucumbers, and a variety of seasonings, this sauce can be served as a drizzle, dip, or soup, making it one of the most versatile options on the menu.

Vietnamese

Pho (fuh)

A popular street food in Vietnam, pho is usually only served in dine-in restaurants in the United States. It consists of rice noodles, meat such as pork or chicken, and herbs in a broth that has been simmered for an extended period to intensify its flavor profile. Bean sprouts, onions, and lime may all be served alongside the dish as garnishes.

Banh Mi (bahn-mee)

Banh mi can refer to both a baguette-like bread and the prepared sandwich, complete with all its fillings. Although a wide variety of meats and vegetables can be used, pork sausage, cucumber, and pickled carrots are especially popular. It has been considered a staple of Vietnamese cuisine since the early 1900s and is often served as street food.

English

Worcestershire (WUSS-ter-sher)

As difficult to spell as it is to say, Worcestershire sauce's proper pronunciation is hotly debated in the States. Because it is named after its birthplace – a city called Worcester in England – the correct pronunciation can sound very odd to American ears. This sauce is made from fermented anchovies, vinegar, and garlic, among other spices and seasonings. It is often used in marinades, stews, and even some cocktails.

Hawaiian

Poke (POH-kay)

Simple yet iconic, poke is a dish made from raw fish (typically tuna or salmon) and seasoned with sesame oil, soy sauce, and sea salt. What began as a quick snack for Hawaiian fishermen has become a trendy meal in recent years as more restaurants offer it on their menus. Ingredients such as onions, octopus, and shellfish are also becoming more popular as chefs experiment with the dish.