What's in a name?

In the foodservice industry, the naming of menu items is one area where creativity and ingenuity can be easily seen.

Some establishments name menu items in a way that makes customers think, "This looks delicious," while others put taste second and focus on a name that will stimulate the diner's interest or pique their curiosity.

Japanese actor and Twitter user Satoshi Tan 丹聡 "Tantan" (@tantokyo) posted a photo of an item at a restaurant recently which could be described as the latter. However, the name was interesting for an unusual reason: it was too honest in its description!

Honesty is the best policy?

Tan was attracted to an assortment of five kinds of sausages. When he looked at the label below the sample plate in the display, however, he did a double take.

Despite the fact that there are five different types, there is "almost no discernible difference between them"? Well, that may be so, but is that something you want to put on your menu? Truth in advertising is one thing, but this takes it to a new level!

Tan's tweet went viral, garnering 75,000 likes and 13,000 retweets at the time of writing.

Here are a few of the reactions his Tweet elicited:

• "I couldn't help but laugh out loud! It's true, I can't tell the difference..."
• Actually, that name makes me want to try it (lol)
• "The name is so honest, it's refreshing!"

Tan ordered the plate of sausages and although they were delicious, he decided to maintain the same overly-honest tone in his review:

"It turned out to be just like the name described it, probably because I put ketchup and mustard all over them."

In any case, you could say that the restaurant's strategy succeeded since it inspired diners like Tan to order some sausages!