Lobster in Spanish, French, Italian and Other Languages
If you are traveling or reading a foreign menu, knowing the word for lobster is essential. In **Spanish**, lobster is langosta. In **French**, it is homard for the clawed European lobster and langouste for the spiny variety. In **Italian**, lobster is astice or aragosta depending on the species. Aragosta refers to spiny lobster while astice is the clawed Mediterranean lobster.
In **Portuguese**, lobster is lagosta. In **Dutch**, it is kreeft. In **German**, it is hummer. In **Japanese**, it is ise-ebi for spiny lobster. In **Chinese (Mandarin)**, lobster is long xia which literally translates to dragon shrimp. In **Arabic** it is kasar al-bahr. In **Telugu**, a South Indian language, it is rala or kondai.
These language differences matter when ordering in foreign restaurants. In Spain, ordering langosta gets you spiny lobster. In France, ordering homard gets you clawed lobster. Ordering langouste in France gets you spiny lobster. Getting it wrong can mean paying for a different product at a different price point.
Lobster vs Langostino: What Is the Difference?
Langostino is not a lobster species despite the name. Langostino is either a type of squat lobster or a prawn, depending on the region. In the United States, the FDA allows langostino to be marketed as langostino lobster, which has led to consumer confusion. Langostino meat is cheaper, less sweet, and has a softer texture than true lobster. It typically costs 10 to 15 dollars per pound versus 25 to 40 dollars for lobster meat.
The easiest way to tell the difference is to look at the tail. Langostino tails curl tighter than lobster tails and have a more pronounced ridge along the back. The meat color is slightly pinker than the white and red of true lobster. Many restaurants use langostino in lobster salads and lobster rolls to cut costs. If a 15-dollar lobster roll seems too cheap, there is a good chance it contains langostino instead of lobster. For a detailed comparison of every lobster-like species, our lobster species comparison guide breaks down the differences.
Lobster Surimi: Imitation Lobster Explained
Lobster surimi is a processed seafood product made from white fish, typically pollock, that is flavored and colored to resemble lobster meat. It is the same process used to make imitation crab. Surimi costs 5 to 8 dollars per pound, roughly one-fifth the price of real lobster meat. The texture is softer and the flavor is noticeably artificial with a sweet undertone.
Surimi is fine for dishes where the lobster is not the star, such as a cold seafood salad or a dip. For any dish where lobster is the primary ingredient, real lobster meat is worth the price difference. The most reliable way to avoid confusion is to buy lobster from a trusted source that clearly labels the species and origin.
Leave a Reply