12 Washington Foods That Outsiders Always Mispronounce (But Locals Say With Pride)
Living in Washington for the past decade, I’ve watched countless visitors stumble over food names that roll off local tongues like second nature.
There’s something oddly satisfying about hearing someone butcher “geoduck” while you confidently order it at a waterfront restaurant.
These mispronunciations aren’t just amusing slip-ups—they’re badges of honor that separate the insiders from the tourists, and mastering them means you’ve truly embraced the Pacific Northwest food scene.
1. Geoduck
My first encounter with this creature left me speechless—literally, because I had no idea how to pronounce its name. Geoduck sounds like it should rhyme with “see-oh-duck,” but locals know it’s actually “goo-ee-duck.” This massive burrowing clam looks like something from a science fiction movie, with a neck that can stretch over three feet long.
Found abundantly in Puget Sound, geoducks are prized delicacies worth serious money in Asian markets. The name comes from a Nisqually word meaning “dig deep,” which makes perfect sense once you see how far underground these giants burrow. Pronouncing it correctly instantly marks you as someone who belongs in Washington’s seafood scene.
First-timers often giggle at the pronunciation, but locals say it with complete confidence and zero hesitation.
2. Dungeness Crab
Visitors constantly mangle this name, saying “dun-JEE-ness” or “DUN-gen-ess” instead of the proper “DUN-juh-ness.” Named after Dungeness Spit on the Olympic Peninsula, this Pacific crab has become Washington’s seafood superstar. The sweet, tender meat beats any other crab variety hands down, and locals will fight you on that.
Every coastal restaurant features Dungeness prominently on their menus, from simple steamed preparations to elaborate crab cakes. The winter crab season brings excitement to fishing communities all along Washington’s coastline. Getting the pronunciation right shows respect for both the place and the incredible seafood it produces.
Once you master saying it correctly, you’ll cringe every time a tourist botches it at dinner.
3. Aplets & Cotlets
These chewy fruit candies have confused outsiders since 1920, with people saying “app-LETS” or “cot-LETS” like tiny versions of something else. The correct pronunciation is “APP-lets” and “COT-lets,” simple and straightforward once you know. Made in Cashmere, Washington, these apple and apricot confections combine Turkish delight-style texture with Pacific Northwest fruit flavors.
Liberty Orchards created them nearly a century ago, and they’ve remained virtually unchanged since then. The powdered sugar coating and firm-yet-yielding texture make them instantly recognizable to anyone who grew up in Washington. Tourists buy them as quirky souvenirs, but locals genuinely love snacking on them during road trips.
Saying the names correctly proves you’re not just passing through—you actually know Washington’s sweet history.
4. Walla Walla Sweet Onion
Nothing identifies an outsider faster than hearing them say “WALL-uh WALL-uh” like they’re reading it for the first time. Locals know it’s “WAH-luh WAH-luh,” with a softer, almost melodic quality that comes from years of saying it. These sweet onions are so mild you can bite into them like apples, though I wouldn’t necessarily recommend that at dinner parties.
Named after the town in southeastern Washington, these onions have protected status similar to Champagne or Parmigiano-Reggiano. They’re sweeter and less pungent than regular onions because of the area’s unique soil and climate conditions. Farmers markets proudly display them every summer, and locals snap them up immediately.
Master the pronunciation and you’ll sound like you’ve been shopping Washington farm stands your whole life.
5. Rainier Cherry
Tourists constantly say “rain-EER” like they’re discussing weather patterns, but locals know it’s “ruh-NEER,” matching the pronunciation of Mount Rainier. These golden-yellow cherries with pink blush are sweeter and more delicate than their dark red cousins. I remember paying what felt like a fortune for my first pound, then immediately understanding why locals consider them worth every penny.
Developed at Washington State University, Rainier cherries require specific growing conditions and careful handling. They bruise easily and have a shorter shelf life, making them precious commodities during their brief summer season. Spotting them at the store means summer has officially arrived in the Pacific Northwest.
Pronouncing them correctly shows you appreciate Washington’s agricultural heritage and premium produce.
6. Salmon Burger
While “salmon” itself trips up plenty of people—it’s “SAM-un,” not “SAL-mon”—the real test is ordering one confidently like it’s completely normal. In most of America, burgers mean beef, but Washington flips that script entirely. Fresh-caught Pacific salmon gets formed into patties and grilled to perfection, creating something that shouldn’t work but absolutely does.
The first time I ordered one, the server didn’t even blink, which told me everything about how common they are here. Locals prefer wild-caught salmon for the flavor and texture, and restaurants compete over whose salmon burger reigns supreme. Some add Asian-inspired toppings while others keep it classic with lettuce and tomato.
Order one without hesitation and you’ll blend right in with the Washington crowd.
7. Salmonberries
Most outsiders have never heard of these, let alone know how to say them, though the pronunciation seems straightforward: “SAM-un-berries.” What confuses people is why they’re called salmon when they’re berries, not fish. The name comes from their peachy-orange color resembling salmon roe, and they grow wild throughout Washington’s forests and trails.
These tart-sweet berries ripen in early summer before most other wild berries make their appearance. Indigenous peoples have harvested them for thousands of years, and modern foragers still seek them out enthusiastically. The flavor is delicate and slightly watery compared to raspberries, but that doesn’t diminish their appeal.
Mention them casually in conversation and watch outsiders look completely baffled while locals nod knowingly.
8. Salmon Candy
When I first heard someone mention salmon candy, I thought they were joking about some weird fusion dessert. Turns out it’s real, and pronouncing it exactly as written—”SAM-un CAN-dee”—is the easy part. Understanding that it’s sweet-glazed smoked salmon treated like candy is where things get interesting.
This sticky, sweet-savory treat has a cult following among locals who grew up snacking on it during camping trips and fishing expeditions. The salmon gets hot-smoked and coated in brown sugar or maple glaze, creating an addictive combination. It’s protein-packed candy that actually makes sense in the Pacific Northwest’s seafood-obsessed culture.
Offer some to visitors and watch their faces go through a journey of confusion, skepticism, and finally delighted surprise.
9. Rhubarb Crisp
Rhubarb itself causes pronunciation problems—it’s “ROO-barb,” not “roo-BARB” or “RUE-barb.” Washington grows tons of this tart vegetable that everyone treats like fruit, and locals turn it into the most incredible desserts. The crisp version features stewed rhubarb topped with buttery, crumbly oats and brown sugar, baked until golden and bubbling.
My grandmother made this every spring when her rhubarb patch exploded with growth, and the smell still transports me back to her kitchen. The tartness requires plenty of sugar to balance, creating that perfect sweet-sour combination that makes your mouth water. Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream and you’ve got Washington comfort food perfection.
Say it correctly and you’ll sound like you’ve been baking with rhubarb for generations.
10. Tim’s Cascade Chips
Outsiders might say “TIM-s cas-KADE” with weird emphasis, but locals just say “TIMZ cas-KADE” quickly and naturally. These thick-cut kettle chips are a Washington institution, crunchy enough to hurt your mouth but too delicious to stop eating. The Auburn-based company has been making them since 1986, and they’ve become the default chip at local gatherings.
The jalapeño flavor has a serious cult following, though the salt and vinegar runs a close second. You’ll find them at every gas station, grocery store, and convenience shop across the state. Bringing them to a party proves you know what Washington snack culture is all about.
Grab a bag without hesitation and you’ll fit right in with the locals munching away happily.
11. Potato Pizza
Saying “puh-TAY-toh PEET-suh” isn’t hard, but understanding why Washingtonians put potatoes on pizza requires local knowledge. This carb-on-carb creation sounds wrong until you taste roasted potatoes with rosemary, caramelized onions, and cheese melted over crispy crust. Several Washington pizzerias have made it their signature dish, and locals order it without irony or hesitation.
The potatoes are usually thinly sliced and roasted beforehand, creating crispy edges and creamy centers. Some versions add mushrooms or bacon, while others keep it simple and vegetarian-friendly. It’s hearty, satisfying, and quintessentially Pacific Northwest in its willingness to break pizza rules.
Order one confidently and you’ll prove you’re not afraid of Washington’s creative food scene.
12. Seattle Dog
It’s pronounced exactly like it looks—”see-AT-ul DAWG”—but knowing to order one with cream cheese and grilled onions separates tourists from locals instantly. This late-night street food staple emerged from Seattle’s food cart scene and became an unexpected icon. The cream cheese melts into the hot dog and onions, creating a rich, tangy combination that shouldn’t work but absolutely does.
Most vendors add jalapeños for heat, though you can skip them if you’re not feeling adventurous. I discovered these after a concert downtown, skeptical about cream cheese on a hot dog, and became an immediate convert. They’re perfect drunk food, sober food, or any-time-of-day food.
Order one without questioning the cream cheese and you’ll sound like a true Seattle resident.