ruokalajien

Ruokalaji is a Finnish term that designates a dish or specific food item prepared to be served as part of a meal. Ruokalajien is the genitive plural form used when referring to several dishes or to the set of dish types on a menu. The closest English equivalents are dish, course, or menu item.

In ordinary usage, ruokalajit are catalogued within meal structure or dietary plans. They are commonly grouped by course (alkuruoka, which starts the meal; pääruoka, the main course; jälkiruoka, dessert), by main ingredient (liha, kala, kasviperäiset), or by cooking method (keitetty, paistettu, grillattu).

Classification of ruokalaji is important in kitchens, restaurants, and institutions such as schools and hospitals, where menus and nutritional information are aligned with dietary guidelines. Descriptions may include portion sizes, energy content, and macronutrient composition to support balanced meals and dietary restrictions.

Etymology: ruoka means food, laji means kind or type, so ruokalaji literally "a kind of food" or "a dish." The plural form ruokalajien simply refers to multiple such dishes.