Menu translation resource
How AI Menu APP reads a menu
A practical explanation of the steps from a photo, PDF, or webpage to an organized translated menu, including the limits users should check before ordering.
1. Capture or provide the menu
The process begins with the source that best preserves the restaurant's information. A digital PDF is usually preferable to a screenshot because it can retain sharper text and complete pages. For a printed menu, a straight photo with even lighting reduces missing lines and incorrect characters.
A public link may contain text, a linked PDF, or images. Some sites load content dynamically or block automated access, so a file upload can be more reliable when a link cannot be read.
- Include the complete page and avoid cutting off headings or prices.
- Use one clear source instead of repeatedly compressed screenshots.
- Remove unrelated receipts and personal information from the frame.
2. Recover text and menu structure
Text extraction identifies visible words while the parser separates restaurant information, headings, dish names, descriptions, and prices. Layout matters because a number beside a dish is usually a price, while a large label above several dishes is more likely a category.
Menus often mix languages, currencies, serving sizes, and decorative text. Language profiles and general menu patterns help, but unusual typography or missing context can still produce the wrong grouping.
- Review category boundaries on multi-column menus.
- Check decimal marks and currency symbols carefully.
- Compare repeated size prices with the original layout.
3. Translate and verify
Dish names and descriptions are translated after the structure is recovered. Familiar culinary terms may be preserved when a literal translation would be misleading, while descriptions provide context for ingredients and preparation.
Regional names, handwritten changes, and culturally specific dishes may require clarification from restaurant staff. Keep the original wording available so staff can identify the exact item.
- Confirm final prices and availability with the restaurant.
- Treat ingredient and allergen information as incomplete unless confirmed.
- Report repeatable recognition problems with the source and language pair.
Questions or feedback?
Contact us with the menu source, language pair, and a short description of what you expected. Do not email passwords, payment details, or sensitive medical information.
support@aimenu.us.kg