Food equivalents

[BecBennett]

I was thinking it wouldn't hurt to do up a bit of a list which details what the US equivalentof our food is, so when shopping for food while on holiday we know what to look for.

For example I know their milk has different names compared to ours, we have full cream, light and skim, and they have half and half, 2% and... umm others... anyone know which one is which?

Also DH discovered that their coffee names are different too, does anyone know their equivalents?

When ordering in restaurants we have entrées, mains and desserts, whereas their order goes starters, entrées and desserts (which completely confused me the first time we went to a restaurant )

What else is there?

 

[LisaAJ]

Lemonade!! First time I asked for lemonade I got a shock when they bought me a lemon cordial-type drink. I learned to ask for Sprite or 7Up after that!

 

[Tashinwdw]

I think most ppl would know this but its chips v's Fries. Even though places like McDonalds have prepared us for them being called fries its still a habit to ask for chips as my DH discovered when he was waiting while I was para sailing, he asked for chips, it let to a long discussion of they dont sell them, as DH had just seen a guy walk away with some, eventually it clicked to him and he got his chips.

 

[losfp]

Half and half is a blend of milk and cream. Deliciously horrifying. I think they use it for coffees etc but I loved using it on cereal for breakfast.

2% is like our light. Whole is like our full cream.

Entrees is a good one. So confusing.

In the US, chips and fries have specific meanings whereas here we use them interchangeably to mean the deep fried, hot variety. Ie either fries or hot chips. In America, if you ask for chips with your fast food meal, you'll end up with a packet of crisps. Been stung by that one more than one. Deeply unsatisfying.

They mostly haven't a clue what a flat white is. Or a piccolo. If you order a macchiato, over there the term more commonly refers to a latte macchiato (shot of espresso poured over a glass of steamed milk) rather than the caffe macchiato (dash of steamed milk and foam marking an espresso shot) usually ordered here.

They call prawns shrimps. Hence, throw another shrimp on the Barbie.

Instead of eat in or takeaway, it's for here or to go.

Here, we call anything in a burger bun a burger. Over there, it's called a burger if the meat is a patty made from ground meat. Otherwise it is a sandwich.

And lastly, not so much a food name as the way they eat. Here, most of us eat two-handed. So a right handed person would hold a knife in the right hand and a fork in the left. Cut up the meat, skewer it on the fork using the left hand and transfer to the mouth. A lot of Americans do it differently. They will cut it up as we do , place the knife down on the plate , transfer the fork to the right hand and eat using the right. When they want to cut up more, transfer the fork back to the left, pick up the knife with the right and do it all again.

Strange and fascinating place

 

[PrincessInOz]

I think in the US, whole milk is our full cream milk. You'll also find 2% milk (obviously 2% fat content) might also be called reduced fat milk. Low fat milk is 1% milk. I think this is the same as what we have in Australia; or we might have a bit more fat content in our low fat milk.

Skim milk has almost no fat in it. It's not quite fat-free but close.


If you are in California, you might find some labeled "rBST-free". rBST is a synthetic version of the natural hormone BST (bovine somatotropin). I tend to make sure that we get organic milk or milk that is rBST-free. Just a personal choice.



With the coffee, I find that most places know latte, espresso and capuccino. The Americano did throw me for a while; it's one shot coffee with hot water. About what we call a long black. I've given up ordering macchiato in the US. It ranges from completely milky to the shot of espresso with a dash of froth as we know it here. But Peet's Coffee seem to understand the term.



Other food differences that might not yet be mentioned:
portobello mushrooms = large cap mushrooms
bell peppers = capsicum
cilantro = coriander
Belgian endive = chicory
scallion = spring onions
romaine lettuce = c-o-s lettuce

And I think they use zucchini rather than courgettes. But it might also be called marrows.

 

[BecBennett]

And lastly, not so much a food name as the way they eat. Here, most of us eat two-handed. So a right handed person would hold a knife in the right hand and a fork in the left. Cut up the meat, skewer it on the fork using the left hand and transfer to the mouth. A lot of Americans do it differently. They will cut it up as we do , place the knife down on the plate , transfer the fork to the right hand and eat using the right. When they want to cut up more, transfer the fork back to the left, pick up the knife with the right and do it all again.

Strange and fascinating place

lol I'm going to stare now.

 

[kazbar]

I found their salads to be very different to ours. They are usually very heavily dressed.
An egg salad sandwich is egg chopped up and mixed with mayo and has no true 'salad' content at all. They also do a chicken version.

 

[aussietravellers]

Skim is non fat. So instead of a skinny latte you'd order a non fat latte.

Fairy Floss is Cotton Candy
Icing Sugar is confectioners’ sugar
Sweets are Candy
Wholemeal Bread is whole wheat
Alcohol is liquor
Gerkin is Pickle
Jam is Jelly
Jelly is Jello
Mince is Ground Meat
Paw Paw is Papaya

 

[losfp]

Ginger Ale is Root Beer

No!!!

Ginger Ale is a carbonated soft drink with ginger flavouring.

Root beer is a carbonated soft drink with sassafras plant flavour - it's quite similar to sarsaparilla.

The two are very different drinks

 

[aussie shaz]

We learnt about lemonade very early on. So my husband started ordering Sprite. The problem here was his very thick Aussie accent, and no-one could understand what he wanted. He ended up drinking a lot of Coke!
Yes, also the chips. We were very surprised when our hotdog came with a packet of crisps (not that we call them crisps...they're also chips!) We were obviously expecting 'fries'.

 

[LivingforDisney]

My son wanted spag Bol in Anaheim.
We eventually got what he wanted, mind you with minute bits of mince meat in it.
They call it spaghetti marinara......... That's seafood spaghetti to me.

 

[orion2185]

As an American who just recently migrated to Australia...got a good laugh out of this thread
Just don't think of these little differences...I could start a post about the Australian differences

Everyone has been giving very good info here

Most american meals can feed several people
The portion sizes in America are massive

Majority of places an adult can order anything off the kids menu
Also most of the time the kids portion is same size as the adults

Most everywhere soda is free refills
You will find servers will refill or bring a new soda to you...even if you have only taken a few sips.
Don't feel like u have to drink it all...that's just what we do
Servers do it as they think it's good "service" and might increase their tip. Especially if they know you are from overseas.
As many Americans tip poorly or not even at all. Tourist know they have to tip and get flustered by it...and usually tip more than most people

Side note on tipping
Most everywhere will automatically charge you 18% (or more) Gratuity....when you have a party/group of 8 people or more. Check where you are eating. As each places varies. Just know if they automatically charge you...no additional tip is necessary...unless you feel inclined to do so. Your bill/check will still have a line to write in a tip. Most get confused and a think they must tip in addition to this large party charge.
I can tell you 18% is a heck of allot more Than most Americans would even tip. No matter what mind of service they get.


When you have finished a meal at a sit down restaurant Americans put their napkin (serviette) ontop of their plate
Aussies put the knife and fork together.
Most servers would not pick up on the knife and fork...they won't clear your dishes...as they might think ur still eating.

Let's say your dining at a nice steakhouse
And you order a steak and request it to be cooked well done
And other people in your party order other items (fish, chicken etc) most places will wait until that steak is fully cooked to bring out everyone's meals
However, everyone who order something other than well done steak...their meal will be cooked and sitting in a food warmer for a long time
Just request to have other dishes served before the steak...if you don't like the idea if your food just resting for half hour or longer. You have to request it
As Americans like to have all meals served at one time. Not as they are cooked

Or, request to have the well done steak "butterfly cooked"
Your well done steak will be cooked in half the time. As they simply slice it into 2 pieces...thus cooking faster than one massive piece of steak. And everyone's meals will be finished at the same time.
Again portion sizes are massive in America.

American steak is a tick meaty cut of meat
Not like Aussie steaks that are thin and small
Americans won't eat at steak unless there is a loud nose when the plate hits the table. Thicker the better in Americans eyes.


I'm here if you have any questions. Would be happy to answer them

 

[orion2185]

My son wanted spag Bol in Anaheim. We eventually got what he wanted, mind you with minute bits of mince meat in it. They call it spaghetti marinara......... That's seafood spaghetti to me.

Spag Bol as Aussies know it....is very difficult to find in America As Americans typical don't put mince in their sauce

Americans typical have spaghetti noddles with a red marinara sauce. The sauce is sort of similar to what is used when making a pizza Some places with include a few very large meatballs. These meatballs are made from the combination of varies types of meat. Mostly always including pork

Side note
If you do get any form a mince (hamburger meat is what Americans call it)
You will find it has a slight crunchy texture.
As the markets add silica (sand) to it. This keeps the mince from clumping or sticking together during prep, transport, storage.

But I could go on and on about the insane ingredients found in American food

 

[orion2185]

Thought of a few more

cheese in America is downright disgusting
It's orange in coulor (color american spelling)
It's dyed that coulor as that's what's appealing to Americans

American bread is also disgusting.
Sort of hard or overly soft
Overly soft does not mean fresh in America...it's chemicals added to make it soft
If you buy a loaf of bread in america...it can easily last a month or longer. That should tell you something about their bread
Not like Australia fresh baked bread from a bakery goes off in a matter of days sometimes

Bacon is totally different in America
Even looks different to bacon Aussies are use to
If your out and order bacon in America...it will be extremely crunchy and burned
As that's how most Americans like their bacon.... extra crispy

Most restaurants use powered egg
So if you get scrambled eggs in America. You will find them very fluffy and watery. As they are not real egg

I will have to speak with the fiancé when she gets home from work
Ordering eggs in american you must request it to be cooked differently thatnyou would in Australia.
I don't eat eggs so I can never recall how she likes her eggs cooked in America. Cause it called something else in Australia.
Majority of the time I have to explain how to cook the egg...as the servers in America don't have a clue what she's talking about ...when she tells them how she wants her eggs prepared.

 

[LisaAJ]

And lastly, not so much a food name as the way they eat. Here, most of us eat two-handed. So a right handed person would hold a knife in the right hand and a fork in the left. Cut up the meat, skewer it on the fork using the left hand and transfer to the mouth. A lot of Americans do it differently. They will cut it up as we do , place the knife down on the plate , transfer the fork to the right hand and eat using the right. When they want to cut up more, transfer the fork back to the left, pick up the knife with the right and do it all again. Strange and fascinating place

I know heaps of Aussies who eat like that! Myself included! Although it depends what I'm eating. I'm right handed so it's often more comfortable to eat this way.

 

[zanzibar138]

I love American bacon too. And lemonade And I really enjoyed their hot chocolate as well! Can't wait to get those things again in a couple of weeks.

I've been unsure on a few things you often see flying around the general forums.

Sliders?
Tri-tip?
Funnel cake?
Jambalaya?

There was something else that PIO told me basically means steamed dumplings, can't remember what the term was, but I'll know when I see it

I'll have to start taking notice of these things and making a list so I know what I'm ordering when I'm there

 

[Kristin5]

I love American bacon too. And lemonade And I really enjoyed their hot chocolate as well! Can't wait to get those things again in a couple of weeks.

I've been unsure on a few things you often see flying around the general forums.

Sliders?
Tri-tip?
Funnel cake?
Jambalaya?

There was something else that PIO told me basically means steamed dumplings, can't remember what the term was, but I'll know when I see it

I'll have to start taking notice of these things and making a list so I know what I'm ordering when I'm there

Sliders are mini burgers (usually get 3 per serve); tri-tip is a cut of steak; never heard of funnel cake; and Jambalaya is a spicy rice dish (from New Orleans I think).

 

[FireflyFi]

Majority of places an adult can order anything off the kids menu
Also most of the time the kids portion is same size as the adults

Love this!

Most everywhere soda is free refills
You will find servers will refill or bring a new soda to you...even if you have only taken a few sips.

And this! It's always a sad realisation that you're back in Australia when you're sucking up the last sips of a soda (soft drink) watered down by melted ice at a restaurant because you don't get free refills and you refuse to pay $4 for a small glass.

As many Americans tip poorly or not even at all. Tourist know they have to tip and get flustered by it...and usually tip more than most people

Really? I've heard it plenty of times that Aussies sometimes get bad service by default due to tipping not being a thing here and some tourists refusing to follow the custom.

When you have finished a meal at a sit down restaurant Americans put their napkin (serviette) ontop of their plate
Aussies put the knife and fork together.

I was going to mention 'serviette'. I asked the waitress at Rainforest Cafe, and she didn't quite hear me. I repeated, but corrected 'serviette' with 'napkin', and she picked up the difference and asked me to repeat what I originally asked for haha

Thought of a few more

cheese in America is downright disgusting
It's orange in coulor (color american spelling)
It's dyed that coulor as that's what's appealing to Americans

It's colour, actually and you're right! I was so excited about being able to get toasted cheese sandwiches everywhere, but they were all gawdawful. I couldn't wait to get back to some real tasty cheese. I saw an episode of The Doctors a little while back talking about 'cheese food'. That horrible plastic sliced stuff that is so far removed from cheese they're not even allowed to call it that (although, I wouldn't be surprised if the Aussie equivalent is the same...)

Bacon is totally different in America
Even looks different to bacon Aussies are use to
If your out and order bacon in America...it will be extremely crunchy and burned
As that's how most Americans like their bacon.... extra crispy

I think you'll find a lot of Aussies will like this, too. Mmmmm, carcinogens

 

[aussiemumma101]

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[aussiemumma101]

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