Dish glossary
What is it, what's in it, and what should you ask before you order? 84 dishes you'll meet on menus abroad, each with its name in the local script, how to say it, the allergens it usually or often contains, and what vegetarian, vegan, halal and gluten-free diners need to know.
Japanese
- RamenラーメンRamen is a Japanese noodle soup of alkaline wheat noodles in a rich broth, seasoned with a soy, salt or miso tare and topped with sliced pork, egg and spring onion. Usually contains: Gluten Soy.
- Sushi寿司Sushi is a Japanese dish of vinegared rice paired with raw or cooked fish, seafood, egg or vegetables, served as hand-pressed nigiri, rolls or rice bowls. Usually contains: Fish Soy.
- Tempura天ぷらTempura is a Japanese dish of seafood and vegetables dipped in a thin, cold batter of wheat flour, egg and water, deep-fried until crisp and served with dipping sauce or salt. Usually contains: Gluten Eggs Crustaceans Fish Soy.
- TonkatsuとんかつTonkatsu is a Japanese breaded pork cutlet: loin or fillet coated in flour, egg and panko breadcrumbs, deep-fried and served with shredded cabbage and a thick, fruity sauce. Usually contains: Gluten Eggs.
- Okonomiyakiお好み焼きOkonomiyaki is a Japanese savoury pancake of wheat batter, egg and shredded cabbage, griddled with pork or seafood and topped with sweet brown sauce, mayonnaise and bonito flakes. Usually contains: Gluten Eggs Fish Soy.
- Soba蕎麦Soba is a Japanese noodle made from buckwheat flour, usually blended with wheat, served cold with a dipping sauce or hot in a dashi and soy sauce broth. Usually contains: Buckwheat Gluten Fish Soy.
- Takoyakiたこ焼きTakoyaki is a Japanese street snack of round wheat-batter balls filled with diced octopus, cooked in a dimpled iron pan and topped with sweet sauce, mayonnaise and bonito flakes. Usually contains: Molluscs Gluten Eggs Fish Soy.
- Miso soup味噌汁Miso soup is a Japanese soup of dashi stock with fermented soybean paste stirred in, usually holding cubes of tofu, wakame seaweed and spring onion. Usually contains: Soy Fish.
Chinese
- Mapo tofu麻婆豆腐Mapo tofu is a Sichuan dish of soft tofu simmered in a fiery, numbing sauce of fermented chilli bean paste, minced beef or pork and ground Sichuan pepper. Usually contains: Soy Gluten.
- Kung pao chicken宫保鸡丁Kung pao chicken is a Sichuan stir-fry of diced chicken, roasted peanuts and dried chillies in a glossy sweet, sour and savoury sauce with tingling Sichuan pepper. Usually contains: Peanuts Gluten Soy.
- Xiaolongbao小笼包Xiaolongbao is a Shanghai soup dumpling: a thin wheat wrapper pleated around minced pork and jellied stock that melts into hot broth as it steams in a bamboo basket. Usually contains: Gluten Soy.
- Char siu叉烧Char siu is Cantonese barbecued pork: strips of pork shoulder or belly marinated in a sweet, savoury glaze, roasted until lacquered red and sliced over rice or noodles. Usually contains: Soy Gluten.
- Dan dan noodles担担面Dan dan noodles are a Sichuan dish of wheat noodles with spicy minced pork, chilli oil, Sichuan pepper and preserved greens, often with sesame paste and peanuts. Usually contains: Gluten Soy Sesame.
- Peking duck北京烤鸭Peking duck is a Beijing roast duck with thin, crisp, lacquered skin, carved at the table and wrapped in thin wheat pancakes with sweet bean sauce, spring onion and cucumber. Usually contains: Gluten.
- Bibimbap비빔밥Bibimbap is a Korean rice bowl topped with seasoned vegetables, beef and an egg, mixed at the table with gochujang chilli paste and sesame oil. Usually contains: Sesame Soy Gluten Eggs.
- Kimchi jjigae김치찌개Kimchi jjigae is a Korean stew of well-fermented kimchi simmered with pork or tuna, tofu, chilli and spring onion, served bubbling in its pot with a bowl of rice. Usually contains: Fish Soy.
- Bulgogi불고기Bulgogi is a Korean dish of thinly sliced beef marinated in soy sauce, sugar, garlic, sesame oil and pear, then grilled or pan-cooked and eaten with rice or in lettuce wraps. Usually contains: Soy Gluten Sesame.
- Tteokbokki떡볶이Tteokbokki is a Korean street food of chewy cylindrical rice cakes simmered in a sweet, spicy gochujang sauce, usually with fish cakes, boiled eggs and spring onion. Usually contains: Gluten Fish Soy.
- Japchae잡채Japchae is a Korean dish of glass noodles made from sweet potato starch, stir-fried with vegetables, mushrooms and beef in a sweet soy sauce and sesame oil seasoning. Usually contains: Soy Sesame Gluten.
- Samgyeopsal삼겹살Samgyeopsal is Korean grilled pork belly, cooked at the table in thick unmarinated slices and eaten wrapped in lettuce with garlic, ssamjang paste and kimchi. Usually contains: Sesame Soy.
- Pad ThaiผัดไทยPad Thai is a Thai stir-fry of flat rice noodles in a tamarind, palm sugar and fish sauce sauce, tossed with egg, tofu, dried shrimp and bean sprouts and served with peanuts and lime. Usually contains: Peanuts Crustaceans Fish Eggs.
- Som Tamส้มตำSom Tam is a pounded green papaya salad from northeast Thailand and Laos, dressed with lime, fish sauce, palm sugar and chilli, often with dried shrimp, peanuts or salted crab. Usually contains: Fish Crustaceans Peanuts.
- Tom Yumต้มยำTom Yum is a hot and sour Thai soup flavoured with lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaf, chilli, lime and fish sauce, most often cooked with prawns and mushrooms. Usually contains: Crustaceans Fish.
- Green CurryแกงเขียวหวานGreen Curry is a Thai coconut milk curry made with a paste of fresh green chillies, lemongrass, galangal and shrimp paste, cooked with meat or fish balls, Thai aubergine and basil. Usually contains: Crustaceans Fish.
- Massaman Curryแกงมัสมั่นMassaman Curry is a mild, rich Thai coconut milk curry spiced with cardamom, cinnamon and cloves, slow-cooked with beef or chicken, potatoes and roasted peanuts. Usually contains: Peanuts Crustaceans Fish.
- Pad Kra PaoผัดกะเพราPad Kra Pao is a Thai stir-fry of minced pork or chicken with holy basil, garlic and chilli, seasoned with oyster, soy and fish sauces and served over rice, often with a fried egg. Usually contains: Soy Gluten Fish.
Vietnamese
- PhoPhởPho is a Vietnamese noodle soup of flat rice noodles in a clear, spiced beef or chicken broth seasoned with fish sauce, topped with sliced meat, onion and fresh herbs. Usually contains: Fish.
- Banh MiBánh mìBanh Mi is a Vietnamese sandwich on a light, crisp baguette, spread with pâté and egg mayonnaise and filled with cold cuts or grilled meat, pickled carrot and daikon, cucumber, coriander and chilli. Usually contains: Gluten Eggs.
- Bun ChaBún chảBun Cha is a Hanoi dish of chargrilled pork patties and pork belly served in a sweet-sour fish sauce dip, with cold rice vermicelli and a basket of fresh herbs. Usually contains: Fish.
- Goi CuonGỏi cuốnGoi Cuon is a Vietnamese fresh roll of rice paper wrapped around prawns, pork, rice vermicelli, lettuce and herbs, served cold with a hoisin and peanut dipping sauce. Usually contains: Crustaceans Peanuts Soy Gluten.
- Banh XeoBánh xèoBanh Xeo is a crisp Vietnamese pancake of rice flour, turmeric and often coconut milk, filled with pork, prawns, bean sprouts and mung beans, wrapped in leaves and dipped in fish sauce. Usually contains: Crustaceans Fish.
- Bun Bo HueBún bò HuếBun Bo Hue is a spicy noodle soup from Huế of thick round rice noodles in a beef and pork broth flavoured with lemongrass, chilli and fermented shrimp paste (mắm ruốc). Usually contains: Crustaceans Fish.
- Butter Chickenमुर्ग़ मखनीButter Chicken is a North Indian curry of tandoori-marinated chicken in a mild, creamy tomato sauce enriched with butter and cream and scented with dried fenugreek leaves. Usually contains: Milk.
- Palak Paneerपालक पनीरPalak Paneer is a North Indian vegetarian curry of paneer cheese cubes in a smooth spiced spinach purée, cooked with onion, tomato, garlic and ginger and often finished with cream. Usually contains: Milk.
- BiryaniबिरयानीBiryani is a layered South Asian rice dish of basmati cooked with spiced, yoghurt-marinated meat or vegetables, ghee, fried onions, saffron and whole spices, often garnished with nuts and egg. Usually contains: Milk.
- Masala DosaMasala Dosa is a South Indian crisp crêpe of fermented rice and urad dal batter, filled with spiced potato and served with coconut chutney and sambar, a tamarind lentil stew. Usually contains: Mustard.
- Chana Masalaचना मसालाChana Masala is a North Indian curry of chickpeas simmered in a tangy, spiced onion and tomato sauce with ginger, garlic and dried mango powder, eaten with fried bread or rice.
- KormaकोरमाKorma is a mild, creamy Indian braise of meat or vegetables cooked in yoghurt, cream or nut paste with onion, ghee and gentle spices such as cardamom, cinnamon and saffron. Usually contains: Milk Tree nuts.
- HummusحمصHummus is a Levantine dip of cooked chickpeas blended with tahini (sesame paste), lemon juice, garlic and salt, finished with olive oil and eaten with flatbread. Usually contains: Sesame.
- FalafelفلافلFalafel is a Middle Eastern fritter of ground soaked chickpeas or fava beans with herbs, onion and spices, deep-fried and usually served in pita with tahini sauce. Usually contains: Sesame Gluten.
- ShawarmaشاورماShawarma is a Levantine street dish of spiced, marinated meat stacked on a vertical rotating spit, shaved thin and wrapped in flatbread with garlic or tahini sauce. Usually contains: Gluten.
- TabboulehتبولةTabbouleh is a Levantine salad of finely chopped parsley with tomato, mint, onion and a little fine bulgur wheat, dressed with lemon juice and olive oil. Usually contains: Gluten.
- Baba ghanoushبابا غنوجBaba ghanoush is a Levantine dip of smoky, flame-roasted aubergine (eggplant) mashed with tahini, lemon juice, garlic and olive oil. Usually contains: Sesame.
- KibbehكبةKibbeh is a Levantine dish of bulgur wheat pounded with minced lamb or beef and onion, most often shaped into torpedoes stuffed with spiced meat and pine nuts and fried. Usually contains: Gluten.
Turkish
- Döner kebabDöner kebapDöner kebab is a Turkish dish of seasoned meat roasted on a vertical rotating spit and sliced thin, served on a plate, in a wrap or stuffed into bread with salad and sauce. Usually contains: Gluten Milk.
- LahmacunLahmacun is a Turkish flatbread rolled very thin and topped with minced lamb or beef, onion, tomato, peppers and parsley, baked fast in a hot oven. Usually contains: Gluten.
- MantıMantı is a Turkish dish of tiny wheat dumplings filled with spiced minced meat and onion, served under garlic yoghurt with chilli butter, dried mint and sumac. Usually contains: Gluten Milk.
- MenemenMenemen is a Turkish breakfast dish of eggs softly scrambled into tomatoes, green peppers and sometimes onion, cooked in olive oil or butter and eaten from the pan with bread. Usually contains: Eggs.
- BaklavaBaklava is a pastry of many paper-thin wheat sheets layered with butter and chopped pistachios or walnuts, baked crisp and soaked in sugar syrup or honey. Usually contains: Tree nuts Gluten Milk.
- İmam bayıldıİmam bayıldı is a Turkish dish of whole aubergines (eggplants) split and stuffed with onion, garlic and tomato, slow-cooked in olive oil and served at room temperature.
- MoussakaμουσακάςMoussaka is a Greek baked dish of fried aubergine, often potato, and spiced minced lamb or beef in tomato sauce, under a thick layer of béchamel. Usually contains: Milk Gluten Eggs.
- SouvlakiσουβλάκιSouvlaki is a Greek dish of small cubes of marinated meat, usually pork, grilled on a skewer and eaten on the stick or wrapped in pita with tzatziki, tomato and onion.
- SpanakopitaσπανακόπιταSpanakopita is a Greek pie of spinach, feta cheese, onion and herbs, usually bound with egg, baked between layers of crisp filo pastry. Usually contains: Gluten Milk.
- TzatzikiτζατζίκιTzatziki is a Greek dip of thick strained yoghurt with grated cucumber, garlic, olive oil and a splash of vinegar or lemon, often with dill or mint. Usually contains: Milk.
- TaramasalataταραμοσαλάταTaramasalata is a Greek dip of salted cured fish roe (tarama) whipped with soaked bread or potato, olive oil, lemon juice and onion into a smooth, salty spread. Usually contains: Fish.
- DolmadesντολμάδεςDolmades are Greek vine leaves rolled around a filling of rice, herbs and onion, sometimes with minced meat, simmered and served cold with lemon or warm with egg-lemon sauce.
Italian
- Carbonaraspaghetti alla carbonaraCarbonara is a Roman pasta dish of spaghetti or rigatoni tossed with egg yolk, Pecorino Romano, black pepper and crisp cured pork cheek (guanciale), with no cream. Usually contains: Eggs Milk Gluten.
- Pesto alla genovesePesto alla genovese is a raw Ligurian sauce of basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino and olive oil, pounded together and stirred through pasta. Usually contains: Tree nuts Milk Gluten.
- TiramisutiramisùTiramisu is an Italian layered dessert of coffee-soaked savoiardi biscuits and a cream of mascarpone, egg yolks and sugar, finished with a dusting of cocoa. Usually contains: Eggs Milk Gluten.
- Risotto alla milaneseRisotto alla milanese is Milan's saffron risotto: rice stirred with beef stock, white wine and bone marrow, finished with butter and Parmigiano or Grana Padano. Usually contains: Milk Sulphites.
- Vitello tonnatoVitello tonnato is a cold Piedmontese dish of thinly sliced poached veal covered in a creamy sauce of tuna, anchovies, capers and mayonnaise or egg yolk. Usually contains: Fish Eggs.
- Aranciniarancini / arancineArancini are Sicilian fried rice balls, stuffed with meat ragù, peas and cheese or with ham and mozzarella, then coated in breadcrumbs and deep-fried. Usually contains: Gluten Milk.
- BouillabaisseBouillabaisse is a Marseille fish stew of several Mediterranean rockfish cooked in a saffron, fennel and tomato broth, served with rouille and garlic croutons. Usually contains: Fish Gluten.
- Coq au vinCoq au vin is a French braise of chicken (traditionally rooster) slow-cooked in red wine with bacon lardons, mushrooms, small onions, garlic and herbs. Usually contains: Sulphites Gluten.
- Croque-monsieurCroque-monsieur is a French toasted ham and cheese sandwich of white bread, ham and Gruyère or Emmental, often topped with béchamel and grilled until bubbling. Usually contains: Gluten Milk.
- Steak tartaretartare de bœufSteak tartare is a French dish of raw, finely chopped beef mixed with egg yolk, mustard, capers, shallots, gherkins and seasonings, usually served with chips. Usually contains: Eggs Mustard.
- Quiche lorraineQuiche lorraine is a savoury French tart from Lorraine: a shortcrust pastry case filled with eggs, cream and smoked bacon lardons, baked until just set. Usually contains: Eggs Milk Gluten.
- Moules marinièresMoules marinières is a French dish of mussels steamed open in white wine with shallots, garlic, parsley and butter, served in the pot with its broth. Usually contains: Molluscs Sulphites.
Spanish
- PaellaPaella is a Valencian rice dish cooked in a wide, shallow pan with saffron and olive oil; the original uses chicken, rabbit and beans, while seafood paella uses shellfish.
- Tortilla españolaTortilla española is a thick Spanish omelette of eggs and potatoes slowly cooked in olive oil, often with onion, served warm or at room temperature in wedges. Usually contains: Eggs.
- GazpachoGazpacho is a cold Andalusian soup of raw tomatoes, cucumber, green pepper, garlic, olive oil and sherry vinegar, often thickened with bread and served chilled.
- Patatas bravasPatatas bravas are Spanish fried potato chunks served with a spicy paprika sauce (salsa brava), often alongside or mixed with garlic mayonnaise (alioli).
- CroquetasCroquetas are Spanish fried croquettes with a creamy béchamel centre, flavoured with ham, chicken, salt cod or mushroom and coated in egg and breadcrumbs. Usually contains: Gluten Milk Eggs.
- Pulpo a la gallegaPulpo a la gallega is Galician boiled octopus, sliced and dressed with olive oil, coarse salt and paprika, served on a wooden plate and often over potatoes. Usually contains: Molluscs.
Portuguese
- Bacalhau à BrásBacalhau à Brás is a Lisbon dish of shredded salt cod, onion and matchstick-fried potatoes bound with softly scrambled eggs, finished with black olives and parsley. Usually contains: Fish Eggs.
- Pastel de nataPastel de nata is a Portuguese custard tart: a crisp, flaky pastry cup filled with egg yolk custard and baked hot enough to blister and darken the top. Usually contains: Eggs Milk Gluten.
- FrancesinhaFrancesinha is a Porto sandwich of bread layered with ham, sausage and steak, covered in melted cheese and a hot beer and tomato sauce, often with a fried egg. Usually contains: Gluten Milk Sulphites.
- Caldo verdeCaldo verde is a Portuguese green soup of puréed potato and onion with finely shredded couve galega (a kale-like cabbage), olive oil and slices of chouriço.
- Arroz de mariscoArroz de marisco is a Portuguese seafood rice: soupy, tomato-rich rice cooked with prawns, clams, mussels and often crab or lobster, finished with fresh coriander. Usually contains: Crustaceans Molluscs.
- SchnitzelSchnitzel is a thin escalope of veal or pork, pounded flat, coated in flour, beaten egg and breadcrumbs, and pan-fried until golden, served with lemon and potatoes. Usually contains: Gluten Eggs.
- CurrywurstCurrywurst is a German street food of fried or grilled pork sausage, sliced and covered in a warm tomato ketchup sauce seasoned with curry powder, served with fries or a roll.
- SpätzleSpätzle is a soft German egg noodle from Swabia, made from a wet wheat flour and egg batter pressed or scraped into boiling water, served as a side or baked with cheese. Usually contains: Gluten Eggs.
- SauerbratenSauerbraten is a German pot roast of beef marinated for days in vinegar or wine with spices, then braised and served in a sweet-sour gravy, often with red cabbage and dumplings. Usually contains: Sulphites Celery.
- SchweinshaxeSchweinshaxe is a Bavarian dish of whole pork knuckle roasted slowly until the skin turns to crackling, served with beer gravy, dumplings and sauerkraut or cabbage. Usually contains: Gluten.
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