Global Ingredients: 10 Menu Items That Confuse Many Diners (How Many Do You Know?) Cooking Tips

Chef Gigi
5 years ago

According to a recent online survey by Harris Poll, a large percent of diners thought some restaurant menus were confusing.  Don’t miss out on enjoying these now mainstream delicious dishes or ingredients because you're not familiar with global cuisine – just ask! The chef wants you to experience new flavor sensations! Trust me. Here is the top 10 menu items diners say confuse them:

  • Okonomiyaki (o-konomi-yaki) – savory Japanese pancake
  • Gochujang (go-choo-jang) – spicy, and at times stinky, Korean condiment
  • Piri piri (pir-ree-pir-ree) – African bird’s eye chili common in Portuguese and South African dishes
  • Yuzu (yoo-zoo) – sour yellow citrus common in Japanese and Korean dishes
  • Bibimbap (bi-bim-bop) – Korean dish of rice topped with a variety of things like sautéed vegetables, beef and eggs
  • Gougere (ɡo͞oˈZHer) – puffed cheese pastry
  • Guanciale (gwan-cha-lay) – cured pig cheeks
  • Shiso (SHēsō) – member of the mint family found throughout East Asia
  • En brodo (en BROH/doh) – broth, sometimes served on its own
  • Ballotine (bal- -teen) – boned piece of thigh meat that is tied and stuffed

Read more about this survey via Food & Wine.

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Gochujang $5 & Up
Yuzu $4 & Up

Comments (4)

Donna John
Knew 7 out of 10. Not bad! Okonomiyaki, guanciale and ballotine got me. Gochujang is one of my favorite ingredients. I make food: 3-Ingredient Korean Chicken Recipe: Easy Gochujang & Buttermilk Marinated Grilled Chicken Recipe and lately have been cooking my broccolini and broccoli with it. So good. You need to share some recipes now, Chef Gigi Gaggero , using some of these ingredients. :-)
Chef Gigi
Wow you are good! You got me! Imma peanut butter and jelly girl myself! Great article wasn’t it?

Donna John
Donna John
It was. I'm one of those who will try anything once. (And I also love my peanut butter and jelly!)
Elisa Schmitz
This is so interesting! I knew a few, but not others, and I thought I had an international palette, LOL! I guess it needs work. Thanks for this, Chef Gigi Gaggero !
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