Orzo (pasta)

Kritharaki (Greek κριθαράκι, Turkish arpa şehriye, the diminutive of Krithari = barley ) are small in grain pasta or rice shape, often find use in the Greek kitchen.

They are also known under the name Orzo or Manestra, in the Italian cuisine under the pasta name Risoni or risk. In German speaking countries they are often simply referred to as Greek pasta or noodle rice.

The often-heard name of this Greek specialty pasta than rice noodles is misleading. They are not made from rice but from durum wheat semolina.

The court Kritharaki are usually offered as a side dish mixed with a little tomato sauce, sometimes mixed with real rice. Often, you will Kritharaki also as a soup.

The word Kritharaki is a derivation from the Greek words for wheat, barley or corn grain.