20 Commonly Mispronounced Foods

When dining out, taste should always be your top priority. The ability to pronounce a dish's name should not influence your choice, but often, it does. If you’ve ever opted for a salad to avoid the challenge of saying 'vichyssoise' to your server, it might be time to improve your culinary vocabulary. Here are 20 widely mispronounced food names.

1. Açaí

Since this superfood became a popular ingredient, many people have had trouble pronouncing it. Instead of 'ah-KAI,' it’s actually pronounced 'ah-sah-EE.'

2. Crudités

If you request 'CROO-dites' at a fancy event, you might get some puzzled stares. The correct pronunciation is 'Kroo-de-TAY.'

3. Pho

'Pho' is pronounced 'fuh,' as in, 'this beef noodle soup is pho-nomenal.'

4. Quinoa

The correct pronunciation for this nutritious South American staple is 'KEEN-wah.'

5. Filet mignon

Avoid saying this famous beef cut using English phonetics. Stick to the French way and pronounce it as 'fuh-LAY muhn-YAWN.'

6. Vichyssoise

Pronouncing the name of this potato soup doesn't need to be intimidating. 'Vichyssoise'—pronounced 'vih-shee-SWAAZ'—is actually quite enjoyable to say.

7. Macaron

This French pastry is often confused with American macaroons. To sound knowledgeable, pronounce it as mah-kuh-ROHN.

8. Elote

This cheesy Mexican street corn is called elote, and it's pronounced eh-LOH-tay.

9. Foie gras

Even if you're familiar with foie gras being pronounced fwah-grah, the name might still confuse non-native French speakers.

10. Tzatziki

Don't be intimidated by the zs in the name. You can easily order this Mediterranean yogurt dip by saying tuh-ZEE-kee.

11. Worcestershire

This condiment is pronounced WOO-stuh-sher. (Try saying that quickly three times in a row.)

12. Niçoise

To impress your server, pronounce this French salad as nee-SWAZ.

13. Cacao

Raw cacao beans, which are different from processed chocolate known as cocoa, are pronounced kah-COW.

14. Mole

This popular Mexican sauce has two syllables, pronounced MOH-lay.

15. Camembert

This French cheese is pronounced kah-mum-BEHR, with a silent t at the end.

16. General Tso's

Though it may be spelled differently across various Chinese-American restaurants, the Tso in General Tso's chicken is always pronounced tsah-ow.

17. Cassoulet

Ka-soo-LAY is the correct pronunciation for this famous French dish.

18. Beignet

When visiting New Orleans, gain the respect of the locals by saying ben-YAY when ordering this pastry at a coffee shop.

19. Sriracha

Even years after it became the most popular condiment, people still mispronounce sriracha. The correct pronunciation is Sr-AH-chuh.

20. Champagne

Champagne adds a touch of elegance to any event, especially when you say it correctly: sham-PAYN.