191 Japanese Meals Phrases To Spark Your Studying and Urge for food


Meals is a vital a part of life, and one of the best ways to study Japanese is to make use of it in on a regular basis conditions. So whether or not you’re buying on the grocery store, choosing up treats at a restaurant, or experiencing conventional Japanese dishes, you’ll have many alternatives to make use of these Japanese meals phrases!

Primary tabemono (meals) in Japanese

By way of commerce, many meals have change into frequent around the globe, together with in Japan, and a few meals names that originated in different international locations have since changed into Japanese loanwords. The variations in Japanese meals phrases typically reveal Japan’s distinctive meals tradition.

Kudamono (fruit) in Japanese

Excessive-quality fruit is prized in Japan and is a standard housewarming reward. You can too discover fruits hardly ever seen within the West, akin to yuzu—a citrus fruit that resembles a cross between an orange and a lemon.

JapaneseRomanizationPronunciationEnglish
りんごringoreen-gohapple
ichigoee-chee-gohstrawberry
オレンジorenjioh-rehn-jeeorange
みかんmikanmee-kahnJapanese mandarin
柚子yuzuyoo-zooyuzu (citrus fruit)
レモンremonreh-mohnlemon
グレープフルーツgurēpufurūtsugoo-reh-poo foo-roo-tsoograpefruit
バナナbananaBAH-nah-nahbanana
西瓜suikasoo-ee-kahwatermelon
kakikah-keeJapanese persimmon
momomoh-mohpeach
umeoo-mehplum
梅干しumeboshioo-meh-boh-sheepickled plum
さくらんぼsakuranbosah-koo-rahn-bohcherry
ブルーベリーburūberīboo-ROO-beh-reeblueberries
ぶどうbudōboo-dohhgrapes
マスカットmasukattomah-soo-kah-TOHmuscat grapes (massive, inexperienced grapes)
パインアップル/パインpainappuru/achepye-een-ah-POO-roo/pye-eenpineapple
マンゴmangomahn-gohmango

Yasai (greens) in Japanese

One of many ideas of conventional Japanese meals is a steadiness of dishes and sides referred to as ichijū sansai (一汁三菜). A typical meal will embody a serving of nutritious greens.

JapaneseRomanizationPronunciationEnglish
人参ninjinneen-jeencarrot
ブロッコリーburokkorīboo-roh-koh-reebroccoli
キャベツkyabetsukyah-beh-tsoocabbage
ほうれん草hōrensōhohh-rehn-sohhspinach
トマトtomatoTOH-mah-tohtomato
ピーマンpīmanpee-mahninexperienced bell pepper
パプリカpapurikapah-poo-ree-kahcrimson bell pepper
きゅうりkyūrikyoo-reecucumber
大根daikondye-kohndaikon radish (massive, white radish)
ねぎnegineh-gheeinexperienced onion
じゃがいもjagaimojah-gye-mohpotato
さつまいもsatsumaimosah-tsoo-mye-mohcandy potato
茄子nasunah-sooeggplant
かぼちゃkabochakah-boh-chahpumpkin
コーンkōnkohncorn
mamemah-mehbeans
納豆nattōnah-TOHfermented soy beans
kinokokee-noh-kohmushrooms
わかめwakamewah-kah-mayedible kelp
のりnorinoh-reedried seaweed
漬物tsukemonotsoo-keh-moh-nohpickled greens
生姜shōgashohh-gahginger
にんにくninnikuneen-nee-koogarlic
パクチーpakuchīpah-koo-cheecilantro

Niku (meat) and kaisen (seafood) in Japanese

Have you ever heard of Japan’s scrumptious wagyū (和牛)? The gyū comes from gyūniku (牛肉), which is actually “cow meat.” As Japan is the nation of sushi, naturally it additionally has loads of superb seafood! 

JapaneseRomanizationPronunciationEnglish
牛肉gyūnikugyoo-nee-koobeef
ステーキsutēkisoo-teh-keesteak
チキンchikinchee-keenrooster
豚肉butanikuboo-tah-nee-koopork
ソーセージsōsējisoh-seh-jeesausage
ベーコンbēkonbehh-kohnbacon
羊肉yōnikuyohh-nee-koolamb
sakanasah-kah-nahfish
刺身sashimisah-shee-meesashimi (uncooked sliced fish)
maguromah-goo-rohtuna
サーモンsāmonsahh-mohnsalmon (sometimes served uncooked)
sakesah-kehchum salmon (sometimes cooked)
ウナギunagioo-nah-gheeeel
海老ebieh-beeshrimp
kanikah-neecrab
イカikaee-kahsquid
タコtakotah-kohoctopus
イクラikuraee-koo-rahsalmon roe

Kokumotsu (grains) and different fundamentals for cooking in Japanese

Most Japanese meals embody a grain product akin to rice or noodles. Should you’ve been to a Japanese bakery, the prime quality of their pan (パン), which is the Japanese phrase for bread. 

JapaneseRomanizationPronunciationEnglish
ご飯gohangoh-hahncooked rice (or meal)
komekoh-mayraw rice
malesmehnnoodles
小麦粉komugikokoh-moo-ghee-kohwheat flour
パンpanpahnbread
食パンshoku panshoh-koo pahnloaf of bread/sliced bread
tamagotah-mah-gohegg
砂糖satōsah-tohhsugar
shioshee-ohsalt
胡椒koshōkoh-shohhpepper
バターbatābahh-tahhbutter
aburaah-boo-rahoil
醤油shōyushohh-yoosoy sauce
susoovinegar
出汁dashidah-sheesoup inventory
味醂mirinmee-reencandy rice wine for cooking

Okashi (snacks and sweets) in Japanese

Each conventional Japanese-style and Western-style snacks are vastly standard in Japan. Anko (あんこ; crimson bean paste) and mochi (餅; glutinous rice desserts) are staples of conventional Japanese sweets referred to as wagashi (和菓子).

The Japanese phrases for snacks and sweets are generally shortened, much like a nickname. For instance, chocolate might be referred to as chokorēto or choko. And ice cream in Japanese is aisukurīmu or aisu

JapaneseRomanizationPronunciationEnglish
ポテトチップス/ポテチpoteto chippusu/potechiPOH-tay-toh chee-poo-soo/POH-tay-cheepotato chips
せんべいsenbeisehn-bayrice cracker
kurikoo-reechestnut
クッキーkukkīkoo-keecookie
チョコレート/チョコchokorēto/chokochoh-koh-ray-toh/choh-kohchocolate
ameah-maysweet
金平糖konpeitōkohn-pay-tohstar-shaped sugar sweet
ケーキkēkikay-keecake
カステラkasuterakah-soo-teh-rahJapanese sponge cake
パンケーキpankēkipahn-kay-keepancake
クレープkurēpukoo-rehh-poocrepe
ドーナツdōnatsudohh-nah-tsoodonut
アイスクリーム/アイスaisu kurīmu/aisuaye-soo koo-ree-moo/aye-sooice cream
パフェpafepah-faydessert much like an ice cream sundae
かき氷kakigōrikah-kee-gohh-reeshaved ice
アイスキャンディーaisu kyandīaye-soo kyahn-deepopsicle
プリンpurinpoo-reenpudding (much like flan)
餡子ankoahn-kohcandy crimson bean paste
胡麻gomagoh-mahsesame seeds
mochimoh-cheeglutinous rice cake
大福daifukudye-foo-koomochi with filling
団子dangodahn-gohrice flour dumpling (often candy)
シュークリームshūkurīmushoo koo-ree-moocream puff
たい焼きtaiyakitye-yah-keefish-shaped pastry with filling

Nomimono (drinks) in Japanese

Japan is well-known for the numerous jihanki (自販機; merchandising machines) scattered all through the nation. They not solely carry drinks, however it’s also possible to discover machines with ice cream, prompt meals, and extra.

JapaneseRomanizationPronunciationEnglish
mizumee-zoowater
kōrikohh-reeice
牛乳gyūnyūgyoo-nyoomilk (from a cow)
豆乳tōnyūtohh-nyoosoy milk
お茶o-chaoh-chahtea (particularly inexperienced tea)
抹茶macchamah-CHAHpowdered inexperienced tea
紅茶kōchakohh-chahblack tea
麦茶mugi chamoo-ghee chahbarley tea
ウーロン茶ūron chaoo-rohn chahoolong tea
タピオカtapiokatah-pee-oh-kahboba/bubble tea
コーヒーkōhīkohh-heeespresso
カフェオレkafe orekah-feh oh-raycafé au lait (espresso with milk)
ホットココアhotto kokoahoh-TOH koh-koh-ahscorching cocoa
ジュースjūsujoo-soojuice
コーラkōrakohh-rahCoca-cola
サイダーsaidāsye-dahgentle soda
ジンジャーエールjinjā ērujeen-jah ehh-rooginger ale
お酒o-sakeoh-sah-kehalcohol
日本酒nihon shunee-hohn-shoorice wine
焼酎shōchūshohh-chooJapanese distilled alcohol (much like Korean soju)
サワーsawāsah-wahhcocktail with spirits, often blended with fruit juice
ビールbīrubee-roobeer
ワインwainwah-eenwine

Forms of ryōri (cuisines) in Japan

Japanese conventional meals, or washoku (和食), has an in depth historical past, throughout which cooks examined and perfected their recipes.

Japan has additionally change into dwelling for folks from all around the world, with immigrants bringing their very own tasty cuisines. The commonest international cuisines in Japan are Chinese language meals and Western meals.

Washoku (Japanese meals)

Whenever you go to Japan, you need to strive washoku! Meals is a window into one other tradition, akin to the numerous kinds of noodles in Japanese tradition. An effective way to get a pattern of a number of dishes is to have a multi-course kaiseki (会席) meal.

You’ll see yaki (焼き) within the names of many dishes. The verb yakimasu (焼きます) can describe varied cooking strategies, and mostly means “stir-fry” or “grill.” 

JapaneseRomanizationPronunciationDescription
寿司sushisoo-sheesushi, particularly within the nigiri type
回転寿司kaiten zushikye-tehn zoo-sheeconveyor-belt sushi
うどんudonoo-dohnthick wheat flour noodles
そばsobasoh-bahbuckwheat noodles
焼きそばyakisobayah-kee-soh-bahstir-fried noodles
素麺sōmensohh-mehnskinny wheat noodles, typically served chilly
donburidohn-boo-reekind of dish with a bowl of rice as a base
牛丼gyūdongyoo-dohndonburi with beef and onions
親子丼oyakodonoh-yah-koh-dohndonburi with blended rooster and egg
カツ丼katsudonkah-tsoo-dohndonburi with pork cutlet and egg
焼肉yakinikuyah-kee-nee-kooJapanese-style barbecue
焼き鳥yah-kee-toh-reeyah-kee-toh-reegrilled rooster skewers
お好み焼きokonomiyakioh-koh-noh-mee-yah-keea savory pancake with batter, cabbage, and different substances 
タコ焼きtakoyakitah-koh-yah-keedough fried in a ball with octopus inside
天ぷらtenpuratehn-poo-rahdeep-fried shrimp or greens
おにぎりonigirioh-nee-ghee-reerice ball with fillings, often triangular 
卵焼きtamagoyakitah-mah-goh-yah-keecandy omelet created from rolling a sheet of egg
味噌汁miso shirumee-soh shee-roomiso soup
鍋物nabe mononah-bay moh-nohJapanese hotpot dish
しゃぶしゃぶshabushabushah-boo shah-booa nabemono the place slices of meat are rapidly cooked in broth
おでんodenoh-dehna nabemono the place fish desserts are simmered in a lightweight broth
すき焼きsukiyakisoo-kee-yah-keea nabemono the place meat and greens are simmered in wealthy broth
肉じゃがnikujaganee-koo-jah-gahsimmered meat and potatoes

Chūka ryōri (Chinese language meals)

Japanese tradition has been influenced by Chinese language tradition for over a thousand years, so it’s no shock that Japan has so many Chinese language-inspired meals. The Japanese avenue meals karaage and nikuman originate in China. And even rāmen is assessed as chūka ryōri

JapaneseRomanizationPronunciationEnglish/Description
豆腐tōfutohh-footofu
麻婆豆腐mābō dōfumahh-bohh dohh-fooa tofu dish with spicy sauce and floor meat
ラーメンrāmenrahh-mehnexcessive gluten flour noodles in broth, often has chāshū
チャーシューchāshūchah-shoobraised pork stomach
担々麵tantan malestahn-tahn mehnkind of rāmen with spicy broth and floor meat
唐揚げkaraagekah-rah-ah-ageboneless fried rooster
ギョーザgyōzagyohh-zahpan-fried dumplings
小籠包shōronpōshohh-rohn-pohsoup dumplings
春巻きharumakihah-roo-mah-keespring roll
中華まんchūka manchoo-kah mahnfluffy steamed buns that may have completely different fillings
肉まんniku mannee-koo mahnfluffy steamed buns with pork
チャーハンchāhanchahh-hanfried rice
エビチリebi chirieh-bee chee-reeshrimp with chili sauce
火鍋hinabehee-nah-bayChinese language hotpot

Yōshoku (Western meals)

Japan provides a formidable array of meals from many Western international locations. So if you happen to crave one thing from again dwelling, perhaps yow will discover it in Japan! Simply take care that the Japanese pronunciation is completely different from the unique pronunciation. The Japanese meals phrases might even sound like one thing else; for instance, poteto (ポテト) means “French fries” and sando (サンド) means “sandwich.” 

JapaneseRomanizationPronunciationEnglish/Description
パスタpasutapah-soo-tahpasta
カルボナーラkarubonārakah-roo-boh-nah-rahcarbonara (creamy pasta with cheese and pepper)
ピザpizaPEE-zahpizza
チーズchīzuchee-zoocheese
ドリアdoriadoh-ree-ahmuch like risotto with white rice, topped with melted cheese
コロッケkorokkekoh-roh-KAYdeep-fried mashed potatoes, based mostly on French croquettes
ハンバーガーhanbāgāhahn-bahh-gahhhamburger
ホットドッグhotto dogguhoh-toh doh-gooscorching canine
アメリカンドッグamerikan dogguah-meh-ree-kahn doh-goocorn canine
フライドチキンfuraido chikinfoo-rye-doh chee-keenfried rooster
フライドポテト/ポテトfuraido poteto/potetofoo-rye-doh poh-teh-toh/poh-teh-tohFrench fries
ケチャップkechappukeh-chah-POOketchup
マヨネーズmayonēzumah-yoh-nay-zoomayonnaise
サンドイッチ/サンドsandoicchi/sandosahn-doh-wee-chee/sahn-dohsandwich
サラダsaradasah-rah-dahsalad
オムライスomuraisuoh-moo-rye-sooan omelette on ketchup-flavored rooster rice
ハンバーグhanbāguhahn-bahh-goomuch like Salisbury steak with demiglace sauce
豚カツtonkatsutohn-kah-tsoobreaded, deep-fried pork cutlets
カレーkarēkah-raycurry (not spicy, with carrots and potatoes)
コンソメkonsomekohn-soh-mayconcentrated soup inventory, based mostly on French consommé

Japanese meals phrases to explain shokkan (meals textures)

Texture phrases might accompany Japanese meals names on menus or packaging to speak the expertise of consuming the objects, making them extra appetizing! These phrases are Japanese onomatopoeias and infrequently have repeating sounds.

JapaneseRomanizationPronunciationDescription
ふわふわfuwa fuwafoo-wah foo-wahfluffy
ぷるぷるpuru purupoo-roo poo-roojiggly like pudding
もちもちmochi mochimoh-chee moh-cheegentle and chewy like mochi
サクサクsaku sakusah-koo sah-kooflaky or ethereal, akin to pastries
パリパリpari paripah-ree pah-reegentle and crispy
カリカリkari karikah-ree kah-reecrunchy
ガリガリgari garigah-ree gah-ree onerous and crunchy
トロトロtoro torotoh-roh toh-rohmelting, akin to cheese
粘々neba nebaneh-bah neh-bahgooey and barely sticky, akin to nattō

Should you’d like to make use of these distinctive Japanese meals phrases and meanings in sentences, most might be transformed to suru verbs. For instance:

  • Udon wa mochi mochi shite imasu. (うどんはもちもちしています。) = The udon is gentle and chewy.
  • Pari pari shita potechi o kaimashita. (パリパリしたポテチを買いました。) = I purchased crispy potato chips.
  • Chotto toro toro shite iru tamago ga suki desu. (ちょっとトロトロしている卵が好きです。) = I like eggs which can be a bit runny.

Savor a spread of flavors with Japanese meals phrases

There are such a lot of scrumptious meals objects to strive in Japan, together with fruits grown with care, conventional dishes with complicated flavors, and on a regular basis snacks. 

Should you’d like to make use of Japanese meals phrases to choose up produce at a yaoya (八百屋; inexperienced grocer) or eat at a resutoran (レストラン; restaurant), you possibly can study learn how to order meals in Japanese by means of Rosetta Stone. With immersive studying, you’ll communicate sensible phrases aloud with quick accent suggestions, so you possibly can deal with meals conditions with confidence!

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