How To Say “Tomato” In Different Languages

The tomato is the undisputed MVP of tomato sauce, tomato basil soup, and pan con tomate. Given that the word is literally in the name of every dish, you’ve probably gathered it’s a big deal. But how do you ask for one if you’re at a market in Italy, a farm in Vietnam, or a kitchen in Turkey?

Out of those three tomato dishes, I’ve only ever made one myself—though I’ve happily eaten all of them! But I’ve tried all of them. I once made pan con tomate and it was really yummy. I've never made tomato sauce from scratch, because I usually just get the can from the store. Oops. And I've only ever ordered tomato basil soup in restaurants, because I love getting a bowl. But hey, whether you're a chef or a professional takeout-orderer, knowing the name of this red fruit is essential. Here is how to say 'tomato' around the world.