In honor of the impending Friday the 13th this week, let’s explore how superstition can play a role in any restaurant. You may not believe in many of the good luck or bad luck traditions from around the world, but guests can benefit from a bit of storytelling with supper.
When creating a brand and planning a menu, it is important to find unique ways of engaging customers. Meals with an interesting story are one way to set your dishes apart from others. The story can be displayed on the menu or relayed by servers. This approach can help guests have a more personal experience while dining with you which helps business by:
- Being memorable
- Encouraging customer loyalty
- Enhancing chances of positive reviews and recommendations.
Whether you add superstitious dishes to your menu because you truly believe in their powers or just to give guests an unforgettable experience, this approach can be useful.
Different cultures and countries have loads of beliefs about specific ingredients, kitchen techniques, table linens, and the way food is consumed. Start your selection by considering the theme of your restaurant and the style of food you already serve. Next, look for superstitions from cultures that closely match what your restaurant is all about.
Foods that traditionally bring good luck include:
- Pork – Pigs are known for their physique which can be a symbol of prosperity and they root forward which can be taken as a sign of progress. Any form of pork will do!
- Whole-Roasted Fish – Similar to pigs, fish move forward symbolizing progress for the diner. Their scales resemble coins and they travel in schools which can bring prosperity to those eating them.
- Long Noodles – When you find an extra-long noodle in a dish is can mean long life, so encourage guests to slurp these down.
- Greens – Kale, spinach, and the like all resemble money which translates to prosperity or financial gain for guests.
Bad luck meals include ingredients like:
- Chicken – Because they scratch backwards, this common bird is a sign of dwelling in the past.
- Lobster – Although they are mighty tasty and coveted, lobsters swim backwards and serve as a symbol for losing ground in life.
- Bread with a Large Air Pocket – If you make or serve fresh bread, be wary of serving guests slices with large holes. This bad omen symbolizes imminent death of someone in the diner’s life.
Superstitions are serious business for some and fun folly for others. While it is important not to offend those true believers, there is a way to incorporate foods with a story onto any menu.