Mustard

[drencrom]

What's mustard in Chinese? I'm talking about the sandwich condiment, typically yellow. Every translation of 'mustard' I can find online refers to the mustard plant, 芥末或白芥 which is not at all the same thing. When I say this word at the sandwich shop, I want my sandwich doused in mustard of some sort instead of dripping with mayonnaise (the way they make most of them for the local customers).

[skylee]

Use 芥末. The word 芥 refers to the plant. The word 末 means powder. If you want to highlight its paste/sauce form, you can call it 芥末醬. But it is not absolutely necessary.

[imron]

you can call it 芥末醬

Note, on the mainland, this may get you wasabi (or mustard), depending on where you ask.

[drencrom]

Ok, how do I get mustard instead of wasabi on the mainland?

[skylee]

I doubt if sandwish shops have wasabi at their counters/kitchens. But I think you can just tell them that you "不要 wasabi".

[insighter]

I often say that I want 那个黄色的 芥末. Not precise, but it may ensure that you don't get wasabi. Give it a shot.

[liuzhou]

Note, on the mainland, this may get you wasabi (or mustard), depending on where you ask.

The chances of you getting wasabi on the mainland are so close to zero as to be unmeasurable. All the 'wasabi' in China is horseradish which has been dyed green. Same everywhere. It is even difficult to find wasabi in Japan.

[drencrom]

Well, last night I went to the bar and ordered a burger. First one I've had in forever. I ask the barman for 芥末. He nods, goes to the back, and returns with.........a tube of wasabi. I say, 不,黄色的芥末. Him: ??? I sigh and whip out baidu images, find a photo of French's yellow mustard, and show it to him. 没有. Oh well. I eat my burger with ketchup. It's just not the same.

[drencrom]

Yesterday I was relating the "funny" story above to my restaurant owner friend, who doesn't speak much Chinese, and as soon as I said mustard he said, "yeah, that's 芥末酱." I said it didn't work and he said "try 黄色芥末酱". So, evidently he knows what it is because he's ordered it before. I suppose, like so many other language problems, it's Chinese people who have never heard of the term that is at the root of this.

[imron]

I think that's the key. How do you explain to a blind person what the colour blue is? Mustard simply isn't a common thing in China, and so people use an approximation of something they think is similar. Of course there are still plenty of places (e.g. Subway) where they know exactly what Mustard is, and 芥末酱 will get you just that.