Food is an essential part of life, and the best way to learn Japanese is to use it in everyday situations. So whether you’re shopping at the supermarket, picking up treats at a cafe, or experiencing traditional Japanese dishes, you’ll have many opportunities to use these Japanese food words!
Table of Contents
Basic tabemono (food) in Japanese
Through trade, many foods have become common around the world, including in Japan, and some food names that originated in other countries have since turned into Japanese loanwords. The differences in Japanese food words often reveal Japan’s unique food culture.
Kudamono (fruit) in Japanese
High-quality fruit is prized in Japan and is a common housewarming gift. You can also find fruits rarely seen in the West, such as yuzu—a citrus fruit that resembles a cross between an orange and a lemon.
| Japanese | Romanization | Pronunciation | English |
| りんご | ringo | reen-goh | apple |
| 苺 | ichigo | ee-chee-goh | strawberry |
| オレンジ | orenji | oh-rehn-jee | orange |
| みかん | mikan | mee-kahn | Japanese mandarin |
| 柚子 | yuzu | yoo-zoo | yuzu (citrus fruit) |
| レモン | remon | reh-mohn | lemon |
| グレープフルーツ | gurēpufurūtsu | goo-reh-poo foo-roo-tsoo | grapefruit |
| バナナ | banana | BAH-nah-nah | banana |
| 西瓜 | suika | soo-ee-kah | watermelon |
| 柿 | kaki | kah-kee | Japanese persimmon |
| 桃 | momo | moh-moh | peach |
| 梅 | ume | oo-meh | plum |
| 梅干し | umeboshi | oo-meh-boh-shee | pickled plum |
| さくらんぼ | sakuranbo | sah-koo-rahn-boh | cherry |
| ブルーベリー | burūberī | boo-ROO-beh-ree | blueberries |
| ぶどう | budō | boo-dohh | grapes |
| マスカット | masukatto | mah-soo-kah-TOH | muscat grapes (large, green grapes) |
| パインアップル/パイン | painappuru/pain | pye-een-ah-POO-roo/pye-een | pineapple |
| マンゴ | mango | mahn-goh | mango |
Yasai (vegetables) in Japanese
One of the principles of traditional Japanese food is a balance of dishes and sides called ichijū sansai (一汁三菜). A typical meal will include a serving of nutritious vegetables.
| Japanese | Romanization | Pronunciation | English |
| 人参 | ninjin | neen-jeen | carrot |
| ブロッコリー | burokkorī | boo-roh-koh-ree | broccoli |
| キャベツ | kyabetsu | kyah-beh-tsoo | cabbage |
| ほうれん草 | hōrensō | hohh-rehn-sohh | spinach |
| トマト | tomato | TOH-mah-toh | tomato |
| ピーマン | pīman | pee-mahn | green bell pepper |
| パプリカ | papurika | pah-poo-ree-kah | red bell pepper |
| きゅうり | kyūri | kyoo-ree | cucumber |
| 大根 | daikon | dye-kohn | daikon radish (large, white radish) |
| ねぎ | negi | neh-ghee | green onion |
| じゃがいも | jagaimo | jah-gye-moh | potato |
| さつまいも | satsumaimo | sah-tsoo-mye-moh | sweet potato |
| 茄子 | nasu | nah-soo | eggplant |
| かぼちゃ | kabocha | kah-boh-chah | pumpkin |
| コーン | kōn | kohn | corn |
| 豆 | mame | mah-meh | beans |
| 納豆 | nattō | nah-TOH | fermented soy beans |
| 茸 | kinoko | kee-noh-koh | mushrooms |
| わかめ | wakame | wah-kah-may | edible kelp |
| のり | nori | noh-ree | dried seaweed |
| 漬物 | tsukemono | tsoo-keh-moh-noh | pickled vegetables |
| 生姜 | shōga | shohh-gah | ginger |
| にんにく | ninniku | neen-nee-koo | garlic |
| パクチー | pakuchī | pah-koo-chee | cilantro |
Niku (meat) and kaisen (seafood) in Japanese
Have you heard of Japan’s delicious wagyū (和牛)? The gyū comes from gyūniku (牛肉), which is literally “cow meat.” As Japan is the country of sushi, naturally it also has plenty of amazing seafood!
| Japanese | Romanization | Pronunciation | English |
| 牛肉 | gyūniku | gyoo-nee-koo | beef |
| ステーキ | sutēki | soo-teh-kee | steak |
| チキン | chikin | chee-keen | chicken |
| 豚肉 | butaniku | boo-tah-nee-koo | pork |
| ソーセージ | sōsēji | soh-seh-jee | sausage |
| ベーコン | bēkon | behh-kohn | bacon |
| 羊肉 | yōniku | yohh-nee-koo | lamb |
| 魚 | sakana | sah-kah-nah | fish |
| 刺身 | sashimi | sah-shee-mee | sashimi (raw sliced fish) |
| 鮪 | maguro | mah-goo-roh | tuna |
| サーモン | sāmon | sahh-mohn | salmon (typically served raw) |
| 鮭 | sake | sah-keh | chum salmon (typically cooked) |
| ウナギ | unagi | oo-nah-ghee | eel |
| 海老 | ebi | eh-bee | shrimp |
| 蟹 | kani | kah-nee | crab |
| イカ | ika | ee-kah | squid |
| タコ | tako | tah-koh | octopus |
| イクラ | ikura | ee-koo-rah | salmon roe |
Kokumotsu (grains) and other basics for cooking in Japanese
Most Japanese meals include a grain product such as rice or noodles. If you’ve been to a Japanese bakery, you know the high quality of their pan (パン), which is the Japanese word for bread.
| Japanese | Romanization | Pronunciation | English |
| ご飯 | gohan | goh-hahn | cooked rice (or meal) |
| 米 | kome | koh-may | uncooked rice |
| 麺 | men | mehn | noodles |
| 小麦粉 | komugiko | koh-moo-ghee-koh | wheat flour |
| パン | pan | pahn | bread |
| 食パン | shoku pan | shoh-koo pahn | loaf of bread/sliced bread |
| 卵 | tamago | tah-mah-goh | egg |
| 砂糖 | satō | sah-tohh | sugar |
| 塩 | shio | shee-oh | salt |
| 胡椒 | koshō | koh-shohh | pepper |
| バター | batā | bahh-tahh | butter |
| 油 | abura | ah-boo-rah | oil |
| 醤油 | shōyu | shohh-yoo | soy sauce |
| 酢 | su | soo | vinegar |
| 出汁 | dashi | dah-shee | soup stock |
| 味醂 | mirin | mee-reen | sweet rice wine for cooking |
Okashi (snacks and sweets) in Japanese
Both traditional Japanese-style and Western-style snacks are hugely popular in Japan. Anko (あんこ; red bean paste) and mochi (餅; glutinous rice cakes) are staples of traditional Japanese sweets called wagashi (和菓子).
The Japanese words for snacks and sweets are sometimes shortened, similar to a nickname. For example, chocolate can be called chokorēto or choko. And ice cream in Japanese is aisukurīmu or aisu.
| Japanese | Romanization | Pronunciation | English |
| ポテトチップス/ポテチ | poteto chippusu/potechi | POH-tay-toh chee-poo-soo/POH-tay-chee | potato chips |
| せんべい | senbei | sehn-bay | rice cracker |
| 栗 | kuri | koo-ree | chestnut |
| クッキー | kukkī | koo-kee | cookie |
| チョコレート/チョコ | chokorēto/choko | choh-koh-ray-toh/choh-koh | chocolate |
| 飴 | ame | ah-may | candy |
| 金平糖 | konpeitō | kohn-pay-toh | star-shaped sugar candy |
| ケーキ | kēki | kay-kee | cake |
| カステラ | kasutera | kah-soo-teh-rah | Japanese sponge cake |
| パンケーキ | pankēki | pahn-kay-kee | pancake |
| クレープ | kurēpu | koo-rehh-poo | crepe |
| ドーナツ | dōnatsu | dohh-nah-tsoo | donut |
| アイスクリーム/アイス | aisu kurīmu/aisu | aye-soo koo-ree-moo/aye-soo | ice cream |
| パフェ | pafe | pah-fay | dessert similar to an ice cream sundae |
| かき氷 | kakigōri | kah-kee-gohh-ree | shaved ice |
| アイスキャンディー | aisu kyandī | aye-soo kyahn-dee | popsicle |
| プリン | purin | poo-reen | pudding (similar to flan) |
| 餡子 | anko | ahn-koh | sweet red bean paste |
| 胡麻 | goma | goh-mah | sesame seeds |
| 餅 | mochi | moh-chee | glutinous rice cake |
| 大福 | daifuku | dye-foo-koo | mochi with filling |
| 団子 | dango | dahn-goh | rice flour dumpling (usually sweet) |
| シュークリーム | shūkurīmu | shoo koo-ree-moo | cream puff |
| たい焼き | taiyaki | tye-yah-kee | fish-shaped pastry with filling |
Nomimono (drinks) in Japanese
Japan is well-known for the countless jihanki (自販機; vending machines) scattered throughout the country. They not only carry drinks, but you can also find machines with ice cream, instant meals, and more.
| Japanese | Romanization | Pronunciation | English |
| 水 | mizu | mee-zoo | water |
| 氷 | kōri | kohh-ree | ice |
| 牛乳 | gyūnyū | gyoo-nyoo | milk (from a cow) |
| 豆乳 | tōnyū | tohh-nyoo | soy milk |
| お茶 | o-cha | oh-chah | tea (especially green tea) |
| 抹茶 | maccha | mah-CHAH | powdered green tea |
| 紅茶 | kōcha | kohh-chah | black tea |
| 麦茶 | mugi cha | moo-ghee chah | barley tea |
| ウーロン茶 | ūron cha | oo-rohn chah | oolong tea |
| タピオカ | tapioka | tah-pee-oh-kah | boba/bubble tea |
| コーヒー | kōhī | kohh-hee | coffee |
| カフェオレ | kafe ore | kah-feh oh-ray | café au lait (coffee with milk) |
| ホットココア | hotto kokoa | hoh-TOH koh-koh-ah | hot cocoa |
| ジュース | jūsu | joo-soo | juice |
| コーラ | kōra | kohh-rah | Coca-cola |
| サイダー | saidā | sye-dah | light soda |
| ジンジャーエール | jinjā ēru | jeen-jah ehh-roo | ginger ale |
| お酒 | o-sake | oh-sah-keh | alcohol |
| 日本酒 | nihon shu | nee-hohn-shoo | rice wine |
| 焼酎 | shōchū | shohh-choo | Japanese distilled alcohol (similar to Korean soju) |
| サワー | sawā | sah-wahh | cocktail with spirits, usually mixed with fruit juice |
| ビール | bīru | bee-roo | beer |
| ワイン | wain | wah-een | wine |
Types of ryōri (cuisines) in Japan
Japanese traditional food, or washoku (和食), has an extensive history, during which chefs tested and perfected their recipes.
Japan has also become home for people from all over the world, with immigrants bringing their own tasty cuisines. The most common foreign cuisines in Japan are Chinese food and Western food.
Washoku (Japanese food)
When you go to Japan, you have to try washoku! Food is a window into another culture, such as the many types of noodles in Japanese culture. A great way to get a sample of several dishes is to have a multi-course kaiseki (会席) meal.
You’ll see yaki (焼き) in the names of many dishes. The verb yakimasu (焼きます) can describe various cooking methods, and most commonly means “stir-fry” or “grill.”
| Japanese | Romanization | Pronunciation | Description |
| 寿司 | sushi | soo-shee | sushi, especially in the nigiri style |
| 回転寿司 | kaiten zushi | kye-tehn zoo-shee | conveyor-belt sushi |
| うどん | udon | oo-dohn | thick wheat flour noodles |
| そば | soba | soh-bah | buckwheat noodles |
| 焼きそば | yakisoba | yah-kee-soh-bah | stir-fried noodles |
| 素麺 | sōmen | sohh-mehn | thin wheat noodles, often served cold |
| 丼 | donburi | dohn-boo-ree | type of dish with a bowl of rice as a base |
| 牛丼 | gyūdon | gyoo-dohn | donburi with beef and onions |
| 親子丼 | oyakodon | oh-yah-koh-dohn | donburi with mixed chicken and egg |
| カツ丼 | katsudon | kah-tsoo-dohn | donburi with pork cutlet and egg |
| 焼肉 | yakiniku | yah-kee-nee-koo | Japanese-style barbecue |
| 焼き鳥 | yah-kee-toh-ree | yah-kee-toh-ree | grilled chicken skewers |
| お好み焼き | okonomiyaki | oh-koh-noh-mee-yah-kee | a savory pancake with batter, cabbage, and other ingredients |
| タコ焼き | takoyaki | tah-koh-yah-kee | dough fried in a ball with octopus inside |
| 天ぷら | tenpura | tehn-poo-rah | deep-fried shrimp or vegetables |
| おにぎり | onigiri | oh-nee-ghee-ree | rice ball with fillings, usually triangular |
| 卵焼き | tamagoyaki | tah-mah-goh-yah-kee | sweet omelet made from rolling a sheet of egg |
| 味噌汁 | miso shiru | mee-soh shee-roo | miso soup |
| 鍋物 | nabe mono | nah-bay moh-noh | Japanese hotpot dish |
| しゃぶしゃぶ | shabushabu | shah-boo shah-boo | a nabemono where slices of meat are quickly cooked in broth |
| おでん | oden | oh-dehn | a nabemono where fish cakes are simmered in a light broth |
| すき焼き | sukiyaki | soo-kee-yah-kee | a nabemono where meat and vegetables are simmered in rich broth |
| 肉じゃが | nikujaga | nee-koo-jah-gah | simmered meat and potatoes |
Chūka ryōri (Chinese food)
Japanese culture has been influenced by Chinese culture for over a thousand years, so it’s no surprise that Japan has so many Chinese-inspired foods. The Japanese street foods karaage and nikuman originate in China. And even rāmen is classified as chūka ryōri!
| Japanese | Romanization | Pronunciation | English/Description |
| 豆腐 | tōfu | tohh-foo | tofu |
| 麻婆豆腐 | mābō dōfu | mahh-bohh dohh-foo | a tofu dish with spicy sauce and ground meat |
| ラーメン | rāmen | rahh-mehn | high gluten flour noodles in broth, usually has chāshū |
| チャーシュー | chāshū | chah-shoo | braised pork belly |
| 担々麵 | tantan men | tahn-tahn mehn | type of rāmen with spicy broth and ground meat |
| 唐揚げ | karaage | kah-rah-ah-age | boneless fried chicken |
| ギョーザ | gyōza | gyohh-zah | pan-fried dumplings |
| 小籠包 | shōronpō | shohh-rohn-poh | soup dumplings |
| 春巻き | harumaki | hah-roo-mah-kee | spring roll |
| 中華まん | chūka man | choo-kah mahn | fluffy steamed buns that can have different fillings |
| 肉まん | niku man | nee-koo mahn | fluffy steamed buns with pork |
| チャーハン | chāhan | chahh-han | fried rice |
| エビチリ | ebi chiri | eh-bee chee-ree | shrimp with chili sauce |
| 火鍋 | hinabe | hee-nah-bay | Chinese hotpot |
Yōshoku (Western food)
Japan offers an impressive array of foods from many Western countries. So if you crave something from back home, maybe you can find it in Japan! Just take care that the Japanese pronunciation is different from the original pronunciation. The Japanese food words may even sound like something else; for example, poteto (ポテト) means “French fries” and sando (サンド) means “sandwich.”
| Japanese | Romanization | Pronunciation | English/Description |
| パスタ | pasuta | pah-soo-tah | pasta |
| カルボナーラ | karubonāra | kah-roo-boh-nah-rah | carbonara (creamy pasta with cheese and pepper) |
| ピザ | piza | PEE-zah | pizza |
| チーズ | chīzu | chee-zoo | cheese |
| ドリア | doria | doh-ree-ah | similar to risotto with white rice, topped with melted cheese |
| コロッケ | korokke | koh-roh-KAY | deep-fried mashed potatoes, based on French croquettes |
| ハンバーガー | hanbāgā | hahn-bahh-gahh | hamburger |
| ホットドッグ | hotto doggu | hoh-toh doh-goo | hot dog |
| アメリカンドッグ | amerikan doggu | ah-meh-ree-kahn doh-goo | corn dog |
| フライドチキン | furaido chikin | foo-rye-doh chee-keen | fried chicken |
| フライドポテト/ポテト | furaido poteto/poteto | foo-rye-doh poh-teh-toh/poh-teh-toh | French fries |
| ケチャップ | kechappu | keh-chah-POO | ketchup |
| マヨネーズ | mayonēzu | mah-yoh-nay-zoo | mayonnaise |
| サンドイッチ/サンド | sandoicchi/sando | sahn-doh-wee-chee/sahn-doh | sandwich |
| サラダ | sarada | sah-rah-dah | salad |
| オムライス | omuraisu | oh-moo-rye-soo | an omelette on ketchup-flavored chicken rice |
| ハンバーグ | hanbāgu | hahn-bahh-goo | similar to Salisbury steak with demiglace sauce |
| 豚カツ | tonkatsu | tohn-kah-tsoo | breaded, deep-fried pork cutlets |
| カレー | karē | kah-ray | curry (not spicy, with carrots and potatoes) |
| コンソメ | konsome | kohn-soh-may | concentrated soup stock, based on French consommé |
Japanese food words to describe shokkan (food textures)
Texture words may accompany Japanese food names on menus or packaging to communicate the experience of eating the items, making them more appetizing! These words are Japanese onomatopoeias and often have repeating sounds.
| Japanese | Romanization | Pronunciation | Description |
| ふわふわ | fuwa fuwa | foo-wah foo-wah | fluffy |
| ぷるぷる | puru puru | poo-roo poo-roo | jiggly like pudding |
| もちもち | mochi mochi | moh-chee moh-chee | soft and chewy like mochi |
| サクサク | saku saku | sah-koo sah-koo | flaky or airy, such as pastries |
| パリパリ | pari pari | pah-ree pah-ree | light and crispy |
| カリカリ | kari kari | kah-ree kah-ree | crunchy |
| ガリガリ | gari gari | gah-ree gah-ree | hard and crunchy |
| トロトロ | toro toro | toh-roh toh-roh | melting, such as cheese |
| 粘々 | neba neba | neh-bah neh-bah | gooey and slightly sticky, such as nattō |
If you’d like to use these unique Japanese food words and meanings in sentences, most can be converted to suru verbs. For example:
- Udon wa mochi mochi shite imasu. (うどんはもちもちしています。) = The udon is soft and chewy.
- Pari pari shita potechi o kaimashita. (パリパリしたポテチを買いました。) = I bought 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 that are a bit runny.
Savor a range of flavors with Japanese food words
There are so many delicious food items to try in Japan, including fruits grown with care, traditional dishes with complex flavors, and everyday snacks.
If you’d like to use Japanese food words to pick up produce at a yaoya (八百屋; green grocer) or eat at a resutoran (レストラン; restaurant), you can learn how to order food in Japanese through Rosetta Stone. With immersive learning, you’ll speak practical phrases aloud with immediate accent feedback, so you can handle food situations with confidence!
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