Fatima Shamssiantorfeh
6 min 
Spanish cuisine is a real feast for the senses. Its flavours, colours and aromas have won over millions of people all around the world. But… have you ever stopped to think that some of the names of these dishes can be real tongue-twisters for non-Spanish speakers?
If you’ve ever heard a foreigner trying to order “gazpacho” or “fabada asturiana” without tying their tongue in knots, you’ll know exactly what we’re talking about. So today, let’s grab our aprons, tuck in our napkins… and savour (and pronounce!) together the Spanish dishes that give foreigners the most trouble!
- Paella (pronounced pa-e-ya)
Let’s start with a classic. Paella is probably Spain’s most internationally famous dish. But despite its short name, it’s a real trap for the foreign ear.
First off, that double “ll” isn’t pronounced like the English “ll”, but rather like a soft “y”: pa-e-ya. In many countries, especially English-speaking ones, people tend to pronounce it like “pa-ella” – culinary crime!
💡Crunchy fact: Technically, “paella” doesn’t mean the dish – it’s the name of the pan it’s cooked in. So yes, you could make a “spaghetti paella” and you wouldn’t be lying (though it would be slightly blasphemous…). - Gazpacho (pronounced gath-pa-cho, with a “z” like the “th” in “think”)
This cold Andalusian soup can refresh your soul in summer… if you can pronounce it properly. The tricky bit here is the “z”, which in Spain is pronounced like the English “th” in “think”.
So please, don’t say gas-pacho – that sounds more like the name of an Italian robot. It’s gath-pa-cho, with that Andalusian flair.
🎯Tasty tidbit: Gazpacho dates back to Roman times. Back then, it didn’t contain tomatoes (they hadn’t arrived from the Americas yet) – it was basically bread, garlic, olive oil and vinegar. A liquid salad from the past! - Cocido (pronounced co-thee-do)
This hearty stew, typical of Madrid and Castilla, is not only heavy to digest after two helpings – it’s also tricky to pronounce.
The key lies in the “c” before the “i”, which is pronounced like a “th” (just like the Spanish “z”): co-thee-do, not co-see-do. And that final “d” is soft, almost like a whisper: “thido”.
😋Did you know…Madrilenian cocido is traditionally served in “three turns”: first the soup, then the chickpeas with veg, and finally the meat. A triple treat! - Fabada asturiana (pronounced fa-ba-da)
There aren’t any treacherous letters here, but the combination still sounds a bit exotic for many people. Some folks end up saying “fajada” or “fabana”, probably because “bada” feels odd or because they’re simply drooling too much to speak clearly.
✨Extra curious: The “fabes” (large white beans) are the heart of this dish. They even have protected designation of origin status and take hours to cook… but they’re worth every minute! - Churros (pronounced choo-rrros)
Who hasn’t wanted to try churros with hot chocolate? But they’re not so easy to order if your tongue isn’t used to rolling Spanish “rr”s. Some tourists end up asking for “shurros” or “choorros”. Nope! That “rr” is like a drumroll in your mouth: rrrrrr.
🔥Hot tip: In some Latin American countries, churros are thinner and filled, while in Spain they’re usually thicker and dunked in thick hot chocolate. Enough to raise the dead! - Tortilla española (pronounced tor-tee-ya)
The famous Spanish omelette seems easy, but beware the “ll”, which, as we saw earlier, sounds like a “y”. It’s not tor-til-la – it’s tor-tee-ya.
🎈Brunchy bonus: In some countries, a “tortilla” is a flatbread. So more than one tourist has been surprised to receive a thick omelette full of potatoes. What a delicious surprise, though! - Patatas bravas (pronounced pa-ta-tas bra-vas)
At first glance, this seems simple. But when the waiter says: “Una de bravas?”, the tourist is lost. “Bravas? Are those angry potatoes?”
Well, sort of. They’re spicy, bold, crispy… and delicious. “Bravas” comes from the word for “brave” – you’ve got to be brave to face that fiery sauce!
🌶️Curious fact: Every bar has its own brava sauce recipe. Some are mild, some make you cry… but that’s part of the fun! - Albóndigas (pronounced al-BON-di-gas)
Things get complicated here with so many syllables. Some people end up saying “abonigas”, “albóngidas” or even “albóni-gas”.
The word comes from the Arabic al-bunduqa, meaning “ball” or “round thing” – which is exactly what they are: little meatballs with soul!
🧆Fun extra: Although they’re eaten all over Spain, every region has its own take – some with almond sauce, others with tomato, and some even slap them in a sandwich. Yes, a meatball baguette! - Pulpo a la gallega (pronounced pul-po a la ga-ye-ga)
If you can pronounce “pulpo” correctly, you’re halfway there. But “gallega” is a different story. That pesky “ll” appears again, and the soft “g” at the end sounds odd unless you know it’s not like in English. It’s ga-ye-ga.
🐙Seafood scoop: In Galicia, this dish is called polbo á feirain Galician, and it’s served on a wooden plate with paprika, olive oil and coarse salt. Simple and divine! - Croquetas (pronounced cro-ke-tas)
Who could resist well-made croquetas? But their name, with its tricky “q”, “u” and “t” combo, can be a puzzle. Some pronounce it French-style (croqué-tas), others just make something up entirely.
📢Tastebud teaser: While ham croquetas reign supreme, in Spain you’ll find them made with almost anything: stew, spinach, cod, goat’s cheese – even baby squid in their ink!
So… is it hard to order food in Spanish?
Well, at first, a little. But with practice, good humour… and a big appetite, you’ll get the hang of it. And the best part is, even if you mispronounce something, in Spain people will always understand you. Because if there’s one thing that unites all regions, accents and dialects – it’s the love of food. And that, my friend, needs no translation.
What about you? Which Spanish dish was the hardest for you to pronounce?
Have you got any funny stories about trying to order food in Spanish? Did you ever say “pollo” like “poyo”? Did you mix up “jamón” with “jabón”? Tell us in the comments – or share this article with that friend who still doesn’t know how to say “paella”.
Because yes, in Spain we eat a lot, we eat well… and we do it with accent!
