08/27/2026
You already know what you want to order. Then the server comes over, and suddenly you realize you have no idea how to say the name. You pause, point at the menu, and say, “this one.”
When I worked in Japanese restaurants, I saw this a lot with names like karaage and gyoza. They were romanized, but that didn’t make the pronunciation obvious to English-speaking guests.
At the time, I didn’t think much of it. These days, I catch myself doing the same thing at restaurants serving food from languages I don’t know. If I can’t figure out how to say the name, I point.
Of course, I don’t think keeping the original dish names is the problem. The name itself can carry part of the food and culture, and I don’t think everything needs to be replaced with English.
And pointing works. The server understands, and the order goes through. At the most basic level, the restaurant has done what it needs to do.
But does that mean the guest felt comfortable ordering?
I don’t think those are quite the same thing.
When you look at a menu, it’s worth noticing not only whether guests can choose a dish, but what happens when they actually have to order it. That small moment can be easy to miss when the order still goes through.
In your restaurant, how are guests actually ordering those dishes?
