Japanese Food Vocabulary Guide 2026 | Sushi, Ramen & Tempura Words with Maki | Learn Japanese<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Master Japanese food vocabulary with Tokyo-based teacher Maki. Learn essential words for sushi (\u5bff\u53f8), ramen (\u30e9\u30fc\u30e1\u30f3), tempura (\u5929\u3077\u3089) plus restaurant phrases, etiquette, and pronunciation tips for JLPT and travel.\">\n<meta name=\"keywords\" content=\"\u65e5\u672c\u98df,\u5bff\u53f8,\u30e9\u30fc\u30e1\u30f3,\u5929\u3077\u3089,Japanese food vocabulary,\u65e5\u672c\u8a9e,Learn Japanese,Japanese words,\u98df\u3079\u7269 \u65e5\u672c\u8a9e,Japan food,sushi vocabulary,ramen types,tempura Japanese\">\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Maki Yamamoto\">\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow\">\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/ayucom.co.jp\/japanese-food-vocabulary-sushi-ramen-tempura\/\">\n\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\">\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Japanese Food Vocabulary Guide | Sushi, Ramen & Tempura with Maki\">\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn essential Japanese food words \u2014 sushi, ramen, tempura and more \u2014 with Tokyo Japanese teacher Maki. Full vocabulary lists, kana, pronunciation, and restaurant phrases.\">\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/ayucom.co.jp\/japanese-food-vocabulary-sushi-ramen-tempura\/\">\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"AYUCOM Language Learning\">\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\">\n<meta property=\"og:locale:alternate\" content=\"ja_JP\">\n\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\">\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Japanese Food Vocabulary | Sushi, Ramen, Tempura with Maki\">\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"Learn Japanese food words with Tokyo teacher Maki. Sushi, ramen, tempura vocab plus restaurant phrases.\">\n\n<link rel=\"preconnect\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\">\n<link rel=\"preconnect\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.gstatic.com\" crossorigin>\n<link href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Klee+One:wght@400;600&family=Kosugi+Maru&family=Fraunces:opsz,wght@9..144,400;9..144,600;9..144,700&family=Nunito:wght@400;600;700&display=swap\" rel=\"stylesheet\">\n\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n \"@type\": \"Article\",\n \"headline\": \"Japanese Food Vocabulary Guide 2026: Sushi, Ramen & Tempura Words with Maki\",\n \"description\": \"Complete Japanese food vocabulary guide covering sushi, ramen, tempura, restaurant phrases, and dining etiquette from Tokyo-based Japanese teacher Maki.\",\n \"image\": \"https:\/\/ayucom.co.jp\/images\/japanese-food-vocab-hero.jpg\",\n \"author\": {\n \"@type\": \"Person\",\n \"name\": \"Maki Yamamoto\",\n \"jobTitle\": \"Japanese Language Teacher\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/makiymamoto\/\"\n },\n \"publisher\": {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"AYUCOM CO LTD\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/ayucom.co.jp\/\"\n },\n \"datePublished\": \"2026-07-02\",\n \"dateModified\": \"2026-07-02\",\n \"inLanguage\": \"en\",\n \"mainEntityOfPage\": {\n \"@type\": \"WebPage\",\n \"@id\": \"https:\/\/ayucom.co.jp\/japanese-food-vocabulary-sushi-ramen-tempura\/\"\n }\n}\n<\/script>\n\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n \"mainEntity\": [\n {\n \"@type\": \"Question\",\n \"name\": \"What does itadakimasu mean before eating?\",\n \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n \"text\": \"Itadakimasu (\u3044\u305f\u3060\u304d\u307e\u3059) is said before every meal in Japan. It literally means 'I humbly receive' and expresses gratitude to everyone involved in bringing the food \u2014 farmers, cooks, and the ingredients themselves. It is a cultural must, not optional politeness.\"\n }\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Question\",\n \"name\": \"How do I order sushi in Japanese at a restaurant?\",\n \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n \"text\": \"Say the sushi name plus 'wo kudasai' (\u3092\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044). For example: 'Maguro wo kudasai' (\u307e\u3050\u308d\u3092\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044) means 'Tuna, please.' To ask for the recommendation, use 'Osusume wa nan desu ka?' (\u304a\u3059\u3059\u3081\u306f\u4f55\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f).\"\n }\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Question\",\n \"name\": \"What are the main types of ramen in Japan?\",\n \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n \"text\": \"The four classic ramen broths are shoyu (soy sauce), miso (fermented soybean paste), shio (salt), and tonkotsu (pork bone). Each region has its own signature \u2014 Hakata is famous for tonkotsu, Sapporo for miso, and Tokyo for shoyu.\"\n }\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Question\",\n \"name\": \"Is tempura difficult vocabulary for Japanese beginners?\",\n \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n \"text\": \"No \u2014 tempura vocabulary is beginner friendly. Most items are common ingredients you already know (ebi = shrimp, nasu = eggplant, kabocha = pumpkin). Just add 'no tempura' (\u306e\u5929\u3077\u3089) to name each piece.\"\n }\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Question\",\n \"name\": \"Should I learn food vocabulary in hiragana or katakana?\",\n \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n \"text\": \"Both. Native Japanese foods (sushi, tempura, udon) are usually written in hiragana or kanji, while imported or loanword foods (ramen, curry, hamburger) are written in katakana. 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}\n\n.faq-section { margin: 44px 0; }\n.faq-item {\n background: white;\n border: 1px solid var(--paper-line);\n border-radius: 12px;\n margin-bottom: 12px; overflow: hidden;\n transition: box-shadow .2s;\n}\n.faq-item:hover { box-shadow: 0 4px 18px var(--shadow-warm); }\n.faq-question {\n padding: 18px 22px; cursor: pointer;\n font-weight: 700; color: var(--soy);\n display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center;\n font-family: 'Fraunces', serif; font-size: 16px;\n}\n.faq-question::before {\n content: 'Q'; margin-right: 12px;\n background: var(--coral); color: white;\n width: 26px; height: 26px; border-radius: 50%;\n display: inline-flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center;\n font-size: 13px; flex-shrink: 0;\n}\n.faq-toggle {\n width: 26px; height: 26px; border-radius: 50%;\n background: var(--washi-deep); color: var(--soy);\n display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center;\n font-weight: 700; transition: transform .3s;\n}\n.faq-item.open .faq-toggle { transform: rotate(45deg); 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text-decoration: none;\n display: block; padding: 5px 0; font-size: 14px;\n}\n.footer-col a:hover { color: var(--coral); }\n.footer-col p { color: rgba(251, 243, 228, 0.7); font-size: 13.5px; margin-bottom: 8px; }\n.footer-disclaimer {\n border-top: 1px solid rgba(251, 243, 228, 0.15);\n padding-top: 20px; font-size: 12px;\n color: rgba(251, 243, 228, 0.55);\n text-align: center; line-height: 1.7;\n}\n\n@media (max-width: 968px) {\n .container { grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: 30px; }\n .sidebar { position: static; }\n .article-body { padding: 30px 24px; }\n .hero-inner { padding: 34px 26px; }\n .hero h1 { font-size: 30px; }\n .hero h1 .jp-title { font-size: 20px; }\n h2 { font-size: 24px; }\n h3 { font-size: 19px; }\n .footer-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: 24px; }\n .header-nav { display: none; }\n}\n<\/style>\n<\/head>\n<body>\n\n<header class=\"site-header\">\n <div class=\"header-inner\">\n <a href=\"https:\/\/ayucom.co.jp\/\" class=\"logo\">\n <span class=\"logo-mark\"><\/span>\n <span>Japanese with Maki<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <nav class=\"header-nav\">\n <a href=\"#introduction\">Start<\/a>\n <a href=\"#sushi\">Sushi<\/a>\n <a href=\"#ramen\">Ramen<\/a>\n <a href=\"#tempura\">Tempura<\/a>\n <a href=\"#faq\">FAQ<\/a>\n <\/nav>\n <\/div>\n<\/header>\n\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumb\">\n <a href=\"https:\/\/ayucom.co.jp\/\">Home<\/a>\n <span>\u203a<\/span>\n <a href=\"https:\/\/ayucom.co.jp\/category\/japanese-with-maki\/\">Japanese with Maki<\/a>\n <span>\u203a<\/span>\n <span>Japanese Food Vocabulary #11<\/span>\n<\/nav>\n\n<div class=\"hero\">\n <div class=\"hero-inner\">\n <span class=\"hero-tag\">Japanese with Maki #11<\/span>\n <h1>\n Learn Japanese <span class=\"accent\">Food Words<\/span>\n <span class=\"jp-title\">\u65e5\u672c\u98df\u306e\u540d\u524d\u3092\u899a\u3048\u3088\u3046\uff01\u5bff\u53f8\u30fb\u30e9\u30fc\u30e1\u30f3\u30fb\u5929\u3077\u3089<\/span>\n <\/h1>\n <p class=\"hero-lead\">\n Hi, I’m Maki, a Japanese teacher from Tokyo \ud83d\uddfc In this lesson we’ll master the vocabulary for Japan’s three most iconic dishes \u2014 <strong>sushi (\u5bff\u53f8)<\/strong>, <strong>ramen (\u30e9\u30fc\u30e1\u30f3)<\/strong>, and <strong>tempura (\u5929\u3077\u3089)<\/strong> \u2014 plus essential restaurant phrases and dining etiquette that will make you feel at home in any Japanese eatery.\n <\/p>\n <div class=\"hero-meta\">\n <span><span class=\"dot\"><\/span>Published July 2, 2026<\/span>\n <span><span class=\"dot\"><\/span>18 min read<\/span>\n <span><span class=\"dot\"><\/span>Level: N5 \u2013 N4<\/span>\n <span><span class=\"dot\"><\/span>By Maki Yamamoto<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"container\">\n<main class=\"article-body\">\n\n<div class=\"disclaimer-banner\">\n <div>\n <strong>Affiliate Disclosure:<\/strong> This page contains affiliate links (Rakuten, A8.net, Amazon, and others). If you purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. All product recommendations are made independently \u2014 thank you for supporting our lessons!\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<nav class=\"toc\" aria-label=\"Table of Contents\">\n <div class=\"toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/div>\n <ol>\n <li><a href=\"#introduction\">Introduction: Why Food Vocabulary First?<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"#sushi\">Sushi (\u5bff\u53f8) \u2014 The Essentials<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"#ramen\">Ramen (\u30e9\u30fc\u30e1\u30f3) \u2014 Broths, Toppings, Regions<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"#tempura\">Tempura (\u5929\u3077\u3089) \u2014 Crispy Bite-Sized Words<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"#other-foods\">Other Must-Know Japanese Foods<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"#etiquette\">Dining Etiquette Phrases<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"#restaurant\">Restaurant Conversation Cheat Sheet<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"#useful-phrases\">“Delicious!” and Other Reactions<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"#food-culture\">Japanese Food Culture in Context<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"#study-tips\">Maki’s Study Tips for Food Vocabulary<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"#video-lesson\">Watch the Video Lesson<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"#faq\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n\n<section id=\"introduction\">\n<h2>Introduction: Why Food Vocabulary First? <span class=\"jp\">\u306f\u3058\u3081\u306b \u2014 \u306a\u305c\u98df\u3079\u7269\u306e\u8a00\u8449\u304b\u3089\uff1f<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When I teach beginners in Tokyo, I always start with food. Not grammar, not verb conjugations \u2014 <strong>food<\/strong>. Why? Because food vocabulary is the fastest bridge into real Japanese conversation. Within a week of learning ten food words, my students are ordering at izakaya, chatting with sushi chefs, and reading half the menu at a family restaurant.<\/p>\n\n<p>Japan is a country where meals are cultural experiences. Every dish carries history, regional pride, and a specific vocabulary. Sushi alone has over a hundred terms \u2014 but you only need twenty to walk into any sushiya with confidence.<\/p>\n\n<p>This lesson focuses on the three dishes that international students ask me about most often: <span class=\"jp-word\">\u5bff\u53f8 (sushi)<\/span>, <span class=\"jp-word\">\u30e9\u30fc\u30e1\u30f3 (r\u0101men)<\/span>, and <span class=\"jp-word\">\u5929\u3077\u3089 (tempura)<\/span>. By the end, you’ll know how to identify, order, and describe each one \u2014 plus dozens of related words that will unlock the rest of Japanese cuisine.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"callout\">\n <div class=\"callout-title\">Who this lesson is for<\/div>\n <p>Beginners at JLPT N5 level and above, travelers heading to Japan, food lovers who want to read Japanese menus, and anyone who’s ever pointed at a sushi photo and hoped for the best. Let’s fix that today.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<section id=\"sushi\">\n<h2>Sushi (\u5bff\u53f8) \u2014 The Essentials <span class=\"jp\">\u304a\u5bff\u53f8\u306e\u57fa\u672c\u30dc\u30ad\u30e3\u30d6\u30e9\u30ea\u30fc<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p>Sushi is Japan’s most internationally recognized dish, but there’s more to it than the salmon roll you know from home. In Japanese, <span class=\"jp-word\">\u5bff\u53f8 (sushi)<\/span> refers to any dish made with vinegared rice \u2014 the fish is optional! Let’s break down the vocabulary you need.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Types of Sushi <span style=\"color:var(--sesame); font-weight:400; font-size:16px;\">\u2014 \u5bff\u53f8\u306e\u7a2e\u985e<\/span><\/h3>\n\n<table class=\"vocab-table\">\n<thead><tr><th>Japanese<\/th><th>Romaji<\/th><th>Meaning<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u63e1\u308a\u5bff\u53f8 \/ \u306b\u304e\u308a<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">nigiri-zushi<\/td><td>Hand-pressed sushi (rice topped with fish)<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u5dfb\u304d\u5bff\u53f8 \/ \u307e\u304d<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">maki-zushi<\/td><td>Rolled sushi wrapped in nori seaweed<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u8ecd\u8266\u5dfb\u304d<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">gunkan-maki<\/td><td>“Battleship roll” \u2014 nori wrapped around soft toppings<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u3061\u3089\u3057\u5bff\u53f8<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">chirashi-zushi<\/td><td>“Scattered sushi” \u2014 sashimi on a bowl of rice<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u624b\u5dfb\u304d<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">temaki<\/td><td>Hand-rolled cone-shaped sushi<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u7a32\u8377\u5bff\u53f8<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">inari-zushi<\/td><td>Sweet fried tofu pouch stuffed with rice<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<h3>Popular Sushi Toppings (\u30cd\u30bf)<\/h3>\n\n<p>The fish or topping on a piece of sushi is called <span class=\"jp-word\">\u30cd\u30bf (neta)<\/span>. Memorize these and you can order almost anywhere:<\/p>\n\n<table class=\"vocab-table\">\n<thead><tr><th>Japanese<\/th><th>Romaji<\/th><th>English<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u307e\u3050\u308d<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">maguro<\/td><td>Tuna<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u30b5\u30fc\u30e2\u30f3<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">s\u0101mon<\/td><td>Salmon<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u3048\u3073<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">ebi<\/td><td>Shrimp \/ Prawn<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u305f\u307e\u3054<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">tamago<\/td><td>Egg (sweet omelette)<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u3044\u304f\u3089<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">ikura<\/td><td>Salmon roe<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u3046\u306b<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">uni<\/td><td>Sea urchin<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u306f\u307e\u3061<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">hamachi<\/td><td>Yellowtail<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u3044\u304b<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">ika<\/td><td>Squid<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u305f\u3053<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">tako<\/td><td>Octopus<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u3042\u306a\u3054<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">anago<\/td><td>Sea eel<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<div class=\"tip-box\">\n <div class=\"tip-box-title\">Maki’s Insider Tip<\/div>\n <p>At a traditional sushi counter, order in “peaks and valleys” \u2014 start with light white fish (like tai or hirame), work up to fatty tuna (ch\u016b-toro or \u014d-toro), and finish with tamago as a sweet ending. Sushi chefs love it when foreigners know this rhythm!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<h3>Sushi Accompaniments<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"food-list\">\n <li class=\"sushi\"><span class=\"jp-word\">\u308f\u3055\u3073 (wasabi)<\/span> \u2014 Japanese horseradish<\/li>\n <li class=\"sushi\"><span class=\"jp-word\">\u3057\u3087\u3046\u3086 \/ \u91a4\u6cb9 (sh\u014dyu)<\/span> \u2014 Soy sauce<\/li>\n <li class=\"sushi\"><span class=\"jp-word\">\u30ac\u30ea (gari)<\/span> \u2014 Pickled ginger (a palate cleanser)<\/li>\n <li class=\"sushi\"><span class=\"jp-word\">\u3042\u304c\u308a (agari)<\/span> \u2014 Green tea (traditional sushi-shop tea)<\/li>\n <li class=\"sushi\"><span class=\"jp-word\">\u30b7\u30e3\u30ea (shari)<\/span> \u2014 The vinegared rice<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"ramen\">\n<h2>Ramen (\u30e9\u30fc\u30e1\u30f3) \u2014 Broths, Toppings, Regions <span class=\"jp\">\u30e9\u30fc\u30e1\u30f3\u306e\u7a2e\u985e\u3068\u30c8\u30c3\u30d4\u30f3\u30b0<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p>Ramen is written in <strong>katakana<\/strong> (\u30e9\u30fc\u30e1\u30f3) because it’s originally a Chinese loanword that became gloriously, distinctly Japanese. Every prefecture has its own ramen style, and Japanese people take their regional favorites seriously. Here’s the vocabulary you need to navigate any ramen shop.<\/p>\n\n<h3>The Four Classic Broths (\u30b9\u30fc\u30d7)<\/h3>\n\n<table class=\"vocab-table\">\n<thead><tr><th>Japanese<\/th><th>Romaji<\/th><th>Description<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u91a4\u6cb9\u30e9\u30fc\u30e1\u30f3<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">sh\u014dyu r\u0101men<\/td><td>Soy sauce broth \u2014 Tokyo classic, clear brown, savory<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u5473\u564c\u30e9\u30fc\u30e1\u30f3<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">miso r\u0101men<\/td><td>Fermented soybean paste broth \u2014 Sapporo specialty, rich and hearty<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u5869\u30e9\u30fc\u30e1\u30f3<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">shio r\u0101men<\/td><td>Salt broth \u2014 lightest, delicate, Hakodate style<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u3068\u3093\u3053\u3064\u30e9\u30fc\u30e1\u30f3<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">tonkotsu r\u0101men<\/td><td>Pork bone broth \u2014 Hakata \/ Fukuoka, creamy white and rich<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<h3>Regional Ramen Styles<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"food-list\">\n <li class=\"ramen\"><strong>\u672d\u5e4c (Sapporo):<\/strong> Miso ramen with butter and corn \u2014 perfect for cold Hokkaido winters<\/li>\n <li class=\"ramen\"><strong>\u535a\u591a (Hakata):<\/strong> Tonkotsu with thin, straight noodles you can order “kaedama” (extra noodles) for<\/li>\n <li class=\"ramen\"><strong>\u6771\u4eac (Tokyo):<\/strong> Classic shoyu with curly noodles and chashu pork<\/li>\n <li class=\"ramen\"><strong>\u559c\u591a\u65b9 (Kitakata):<\/strong> Flat curly noodles in a light soy-pork broth<\/li>\n <li class=\"ramen\"><strong>\u6a2a\u6d5c\u5bb6\u7cfb (Yokohama Iekei):<\/strong> Rich tonkotsu-shoyu hybrid with spinach and nori<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3>Ramen Toppings (\u30c8\u30c3\u30d4\u30f3\u30b0)<\/h3>\n\n<table class=\"vocab-table\">\n<thead><tr><th>Japanese<\/th><th>Romaji<\/th><th>English<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u30c1\u30e3\u30fc\u30b7\u30e5\u30fc<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">ch\u0101sh\u016b<\/td><td>Braised pork slices<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u5473\u7389 \/ \u716e\u5375<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">ajitama \/ nitamago<\/td><td>Soft-boiled seasoned egg<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u30e1\u30f3\u30de<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">menma<\/td><td>Fermented bamboo shoots<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u306e\u308a<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">nori<\/td><td>Dried seaweed sheet<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u306d\u304e<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">negi<\/td><td>Green onion<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u3082\u3084\u3057<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">moyashi<\/td><td>Bean sprouts<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u30b3\u30fc\u30f3<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">k\u014dn<\/td><td>Sweet corn (Sapporo style)<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u30d0\u30bf\u30fc<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">bat\u0101<\/td><td>Butter (Hokkaido specialty)<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u306b\u3093\u306b\u304f<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">ninniku<\/td><td>Garlic<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<div class=\"callout\">\n <div class=\"callout-title\">Important Ramen Vocabulary<\/div>\n <p><strong>\u66ff\u3048\u7389 (kaedama)<\/strong> \u2014 extra noodles added to your remaining broth (Hakata custom). <strong>\u5927\u76db\u308a (\u014dmori)<\/strong> \u2014 large size. <strong>\u786c\u3081 (katame)<\/strong> \u2014 firm noodles. <strong>\u67d4\u3089\u304b\u3081 (yawarakame)<\/strong> \u2014 soft noodles. At a Hakata ramen shop, you’ll be asked how you want your noodles cooked. Now you know how to answer!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<h3>Related Noodle Dishes<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"food-list\">\n <li class=\"ramen\"><span class=\"jp-word\">\u3064\u3051\u9eba (tsukemen)<\/span> \u2014 dipping-style noodles served cold with hot dipping broth<\/li>\n <li class=\"ramen\"><span class=\"jp-word\">\u6cb9\u305d\u3070 (abura soba)<\/span> \u2014 noodles with sauce, no broth<\/li>\n <li class=\"ramen\"><span class=\"jp-word\">\u62c5\u3005\u9eba (tantanmen)<\/span> \u2014 spicy sesame noodles (Japanese take on dan dan mian)<\/li>\n <li class=\"ramen\"><span class=\"jp-word\">\u51b7\u3084\u3057\u4e2d\u83ef (hiyashi ch\u016bka)<\/span> \u2014 cold ramen with vegetables, summer specialty<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n\n<section id=\"tempura\">\n<h2>Tempura (\u5929\u3077\u3089) \u2014 Crispy Bite-Sized Words <span class=\"jp\">\u5929\u3077\u3089\u306e\u30dc\u30ad\u30e3\u30d6\u30e9\u30ea\u30fc<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p>Tempura is beautifully simple: fresh ingredients dipped in a light batter and quickly deep-fried until golden. Portuguese missionaries brought the technique to Japan in the 16th century, and it became one of Japan’s most refined culinary arts. Good news for learners \u2014 tempura vocabulary is one of the easiest categories to master.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Common Tempura Ingredients<\/h3>\n\n<p>The pattern is simple: <strong>ingredient name + \u306e\u5929\u3077\u3089 (no tempura)<\/strong>. So “shrimp tempura” is <span class=\"jp-word\">\u3048\u3073\u306e\u5929\u3077\u3089 (ebi no tempura)<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n<table class=\"vocab-table\">\n<thead><tr><th>Japanese<\/th><th>Romaji<\/th><th>English<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u3048\u3073<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">ebi<\/td><td>Shrimp \u2014 the tempura star<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u3044\u304b<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">ika<\/td><td>Squid<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u304d\u3059<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">kisu<\/td><td>Whiting fish<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u306a\u3059<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">nasu<\/td><td>Eggplant \/ aubergine<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u304b\u307c\u3061\u3083<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">kabocha<\/td><td>Japanese pumpkin<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u3055\u3064\u307e\u3044\u3082<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">satsumaimo<\/td><td>Sweet potato<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u3057\u3044\u305f\u3051<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">shiitake<\/td><td>Shiitake mushroom<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u30d4\u30fc\u30de\u30f3<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">p\u012bman<\/td><td>Green bell pepper<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u5927\u8449 \/ \u3057\u305d<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">\u014dba \/ shiso<\/td><td>Perilla leaf<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u308c\u3093\u3053\u3093<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">renkon<\/td><td>Lotus root<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<h3>Tempura Sauce and Sides<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"food-list\">\n <li class=\"tempura\"><span class=\"jp-word\">\u5929\u3064\u3086 (tentsuyu)<\/span> \u2014 the classic tempura dipping sauce (dashi + soy + mirin)<\/li>\n <li class=\"tempura\"><span class=\"jp-word\">\u5927\u6839\u304a\u308d\u3057 (daikon oroshi)<\/span> \u2014 grated white radish added to tentsuyu<\/li>\n <li class=\"tempura\"><span class=\"jp-word\">\u62b9\u8336\u5869 (matcha shio)<\/span> \u2014 matcha-flavored salt, used at upscale tempura restaurants<\/li>\n <li class=\"tempura\"><span class=\"jp-word\">\u30ec\u30e2\u30f3 (remon)<\/span> \u2014 a squeeze of lemon over shrimp tempura<\/li>\n <li class=\"tempura\"><span class=\"jp-word\">\u5929\u4e3c (tendon)<\/span> \u2014 tempura served over a rice bowl<\/li>\n <li class=\"tempura\"><span class=\"jp-word\">\u5929\u3077\u3089\u305d\u3070 (tempura soba)<\/span> \u2014 soba noodles topped with tempura<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<div class=\"tip-box\">\n <div class=\"tip-box-title\">Learning Shortcut<\/div>\n <p>Tempura ingredient names double as vegetable\/seafood vocabulary. When you learn “nasu no tempura,” you’ve also learned the word for eggplant \u2014 usable anywhere in Japanese cuisine. This is why food vocabulary is so efficient: every word works in multiple contexts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"affiliate-section\">\n <h3>\ud83c\udfaf Learn Japanese with Real Materials \u2014 Sponsor<\/h3>\n <p class=\"affiliate-disclosure\">The following is an affiliate advertisement. Clicking supports our free lessons.<\/p>\n <div class=\"affiliate-inner\">\n <a href=\"https:\/\/px.a8.net\/svt\/ejp?a8mat=44WT6S+EANSA+J42+NW4I9\" rel=\"nofollow\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" border=\"0\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www26.a8.net\/svt\/bgt?aid=250113988024&wid=012&eno=01&mid=s00000002477004013000&mc=1\"><\/a>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" border=\"0\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/www19.a8.net\/0.gif?a8mat=44WT6S+EANSA+J42+NW4I9\" alt=\"\">\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<section id=\"other-foods\">\n<h2>Other Must-Know Japanese Foods <span class=\"jp\">\u305d\u306e\u4ed6\u306e\u4ee3\u8868\u7684\u306a\u65e5\u672c\u98df<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p>Sushi, ramen, and tempura are just the beginning. Here are more classic Japanese dishes you’ll encounter \u2014 memorize these and you’ll be able to read at least 60% of any casual menu.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Noodles and Rice Dishes<\/h3>\n<table class=\"vocab-table\">\n<thead><tr><th>Japanese<\/th><th>Romaji<\/th><th>Description<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u3046\u3069\u3093<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">udon<\/td><td>Thick white wheat noodles<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u305d\u3070<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">soba<\/td><td>Buckwheat noodles, hot or cold<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u304a\u306b\u304e\u308a<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">onigiri<\/td><td>Rice ball (triangle or round) with filling<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u4e3c \/ \u3069\u3093\u3076\u308a<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">donburi<\/td><td>Rice bowl with toppings \u2014 the -don suffix (gyudon, katsudon, oyakodon)<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u304a\u8336\u6f2c\u3051<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">ochazuke<\/td><td>Rice with tea poured over it \u2014 Japanese comfort food<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u30ab\u30ec\u30fc\u30e9\u30a4\u30b9<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">kar\u0113 raisu<\/td><td>Japanese curry rice \u2014 thicker and sweeter than Indian curry<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<h3>Grilled, Fried, and Simmered<\/h3>\n<table class=\"vocab-table\">\n<thead><tr><th>Japanese<\/th><th>Romaji<\/th><th>Description<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u713c\u304d\u9ce5 \/ \u3084\u304d\u3068\u308a<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">yakitori<\/td><td>Grilled chicken skewers<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u713c\u8089<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">yakiniku<\/td><td>Japanese-style BBQ, grilled at the table<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u3068\u3093\u304b\u3064<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">tonkatsu<\/td><td>Breaded and fried pork cutlet<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u9903\u5b50 \/ \u304e\u3087\u3046\u3056<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">gy\u014dza<\/td><td>Pan-fried dumplings<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u304a\u597d\u307f\u713c\u304d<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">okonomiyaki<\/td><td>Savory Japanese pancake, Osaka specialty<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u305f\u3053\u713c\u304d<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">takoyaki<\/td><td>Octopus balls, Osaka street food<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u3059\u304d\u713c\u304d<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">sukiyaki<\/td><td>Sweet-savory hotpot with beef and vegetables<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u3057\u3083\u3076\u3057\u3083\u3076<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">shabu-shabu<\/td><td>Hotpot where you swish thin meat in broth<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u304a\u3067\u3093<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">oden<\/td><td>Winter stew with fish cakes, daikon, and egg<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/section>\n\n<section id=\"etiquette\">\n<h2>Dining Etiquette Phrases <span class=\"jp\">\u98df\u4e8b\u306e\u30de\u30ca\u30fc\u30fb\u3042\u3044\u3055\u3064<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p>Japanese meals are bookended by two important phrases. Learn these before anything else \u2014 using them correctly will earn you instant respect from Japanese hosts.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"phrase-card\">\n <div class=\"phrase-jp\">\u3044\u305f\u3060\u304d\u307e\u3059<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-romaji\">Itadakimasu<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-en\">Said <strong>before<\/strong> eating. Literally “I humbly receive” \u2014 expresses gratitude to the cook, the ingredients, and everyone involved in bringing the meal to the table. Never skip this one, even when eating alone.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"phrase-card\">\n <div class=\"phrase-jp\">\u3054\u3061\u305d\u3046\u3055\u307e\u3067\u3057\u305f<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-romaji\">Gochis\u014dsama deshita<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-en\">Said <strong>after<\/strong> eating. Roughly “thank you for the feast.” Use it at restaurants when leaving, at a friend’s home after dinner, and even to yourself after a solo meal.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"phrase-card\">\n <div class=\"phrase-jp\">\u304a\u3044\u3057\u3044\uff01<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-romaji\">Oishii!<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-en\">“Delicious!” The single most useful adjective in Japanese cuisine. Say it often and mean it \u2014 cooks love hearing this.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"callout\">\n <div class=\"callout-title\">Chopstick Etiquette to Know<\/div>\n <p>Never stick chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice (it resembles funeral incense). Don’t pass food chopstick-to-chopstick (also a funeral association). When resting your chopsticks, place them on the <span class=\"jp-word\">\u7bb8\u7f6e\u304d (hashi-oki)<\/span> \u2014 the little rest \u2014 or across your bowl.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<div class=\"youtube-embed\">\n <iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hL2UOwW18VA\" title=\"Japanese Food Vocabulary \u2014 Sushi, Ramen, Tempura with Maki\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen loading=\"lazy\"><\/iframe>\n <div class=\"embed-caption\">\ud83c\udfa5 Watch Maki pronounce each word \u2014 YouTube Shorts lesson (embedded above). Practice along and try to shadow her intonation for that natural Tokyo accent.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<section id=\"restaurant\">\n<h2>Restaurant Conversation Cheat Sheet <span class=\"jp\">\u30ec\u30b9\u30c8\u30e9\u30f3\u3067\u4f7f\u3048\u308b\u4f1a\u8a71\u30d5\u30ec\u30fc\u30ba<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p>Here are the phrases you’ll actually use from the moment you walk into a Japanese restaurant to when you pay the bill.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Entering and Being Seated<\/h3>\n\n<div class=\"phrase-card\">\n <div class=\"phrase-jp\">\u3044\u3089\u3063\u3057\u3083\u3044\u307e\u305b\uff01<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-romaji\">Irasshaimase!<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-en\">“Welcome!” \u2014 what the staff will shout as you enter. You don’t need to reply; a small nod is fine.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"phrase-card\">\n <div class=\"phrase-jp\">\u3007\u4eba\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-romaji\">\u3007 nin desu.<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-en\">“We’re \u3007 people.” Fill in the number: futari (2), sannin (3), yonin (4), gonin (5).<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h3>Ordering Food<\/h3>\n\n<div class=\"phrase-card\">\n <div class=\"phrase-jp\">\u3059\u307f\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3001\u6ce8\u6587\u304a\u9858\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-romaji\">Sumimasen, ch\u016bmon onegaishimasu.<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-en\">“Excuse me, I’d like to order.” Perfect opener at a table restaurant.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"phrase-card\">\n <div class=\"phrase-jp\">\u3007\u3007\u3092\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-romaji\">\u3007\u3007 wo kudasai.<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-en\">“\u3007\u3007, please.” The universal ordering formula. “Ramen wo kudasai” = “Ramen, please.”<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"phrase-card\">\n <div class=\"phrase-jp\">\u304a\u3059\u3059\u3081\u306f\u4f55\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-romaji\">Osusume wa nan desu ka?<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-en\">“What do you recommend?” The magic phrase \u2014 chefs love this question and will point you toward their best dish.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h3>During and After the Meal<\/h3>\n\n<div class=\"phrase-card\">\n <div class=\"phrase-jp\">\u304a\u6c34\u3092\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-romaji\">Omizu wo kudasai.<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-en\">“Water, please.” Tap water is free everywhere in Japan.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"phrase-card\">\n <div class=\"phrase-jp\">\u304a\u4f1a\u8a08\u304a\u9858\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-romaji\">Okaikei onegaishimasu.<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-en\">“Check please.” Or make an X shape with your index fingers \u2014 the universal Japanese “bill please” gesture.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"tip-box\">\n <div class=\"tip-box-title\">Tipping in Japan<\/div>\n <p>Don’t tip. Really \u2014 it’s considered impolite in most contexts and can cause confusion. Excellent service is expected as a professional standard, not an add-on. A sincere “gochis\u014dsama deshita” is the correct thank-you.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"useful-phrases\">\n<h2>“Delicious!” and Other Reactions <span class=\"jp\">\u611f\u60f3\u3092\u4f1d\u3048\u308b\u30d5\u30ec\u30fc\u30ba<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p>Once your food arrives, you’ll want to express how it makes you feel. Japanese has beautiful, specific words for taste and texture. Here are the most useful ones.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Taste Reactions<\/h3>\n<table class=\"vocab-table\">\n<thead><tr><th>Japanese<\/th><th>Romaji<\/th><th>Meaning<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u304a\u3044\u3057\u3044<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">oishii<\/td><td>Delicious (all-purpose)<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u3046\u307e\u3044<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">umai<\/td><td>Tasty (more casual\/masculine \u2014 use with friends)<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u6700\u9ad8\uff01<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">saik\u014d!<\/td><td>“The best!” \u2014 enthusiastic praise<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u7518\u3044<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">amai<\/td><td>Sweet<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u3057\u3087\u3063\u3071\u3044<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">shoppai<\/td><td>Salty<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u9178\u3063\u3071\u3044<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">suppai<\/td><td>Sour<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u8f9b\u3044<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">karai<\/td><td>Spicy<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u82e6\u3044<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">nigai<\/td><td>Bitter<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u3046\u307e\u5473<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">umami<\/td><td>The savory “fifth taste” \u2014 a Japanese-coined word<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<h3>Texture Words (Japan’s Superpower)<\/h3>\n<p>Japanese has an unusually rich vocabulary for describing texture \u2014 because in Japanese cuisine, texture is as important as flavor:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"food-list\">\n <li><span class=\"jp-word\">\u3082\u3061\u3082\u3061 (mochi-mochi)<\/span> \u2014 chewy, elastic (like mochi or good ramen noodles)<\/li>\n <li><span class=\"jp-word\">\u30b5\u30af\u30b5\u30af (saku-saku)<\/span> \u2014 crispy, crunchy (like tempura batter)<\/li>\n <li><span class=\"jp-word\">\u3075\u308f\u3075\u308f (fuwa-fuwa)<\/span> \u2014 fluffy, soft (like tamago sushi or cotton candy)<\/li>\n <li><span class=\"jp-word\">\u3068\u308d\u3068\u308d (toro-toro)<\/span> \u2014 melty, creamy (like a soft-boiled egg yolk)<\/li>\n <li><span class=\"jp-word\">\u3077\u308a\u3077\u308a (puri-puri)<\/span> \u2014 bouncy, firm (like fresh shrimp)<\/li>\n <li><span class=\"jp-word\">\u30b7\u30e3\u30ad\u30b7\u30e3\u30ad (shaki-shaki)<\/span> \u2014 crisp, refreshing (like fresh vegetables)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n\n<section id=\"food-culture\">\n<h2>Japanese Food Culture in Context <span class=\"jp\">\u65e5\u672c\u306e\u98df\u6587\u5316\u306b\u3064\u3044\u3066<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p>Understanding Japanese food goes beyond knowing what to call it. Here are three cultural principles that will change how you approach every meal in Japan.<\/p>\n\n<h3>1. Seasonality (\u65ec \u2014 shun)<\/h3>\n<p>Every ingredient in Japanese cuisine has its <span class=\"jp-word\">\u65ec (shun)<\/span> \u2014 the peak season when it’s at its best. Cherry blossom mochi in spring, unagi in summer, sanma (Pacific saury) in autumn, fugu in winter. Restaurants change their menus with the seasons, and mentioning that something is “shun no mono” (\u65ec\u306e\u3082\u306e \u2014 a seasonal thing) is a sophisticated way to praise it.<\/p>\n\n<h3>2. Presentation Matters<\/h3>\n<p>Japanese chefs believe you “eat with your eyes first” (\u76ee\u3067\u98df\u3079\u308b \u2014 me de taberu). Every plate is composed with care: color balance, negative space, seasonal garnishes. This is why sushi comes on specific plates, and why tempura is often served on rice paper \u2014 presentation is part of the meal.<\/p>\n\n<h3>3. The Concept of “Ichigo Ichie” (\u4e00\u671f\u4e00\u4f1a)<\/h3>\n<p>Especially at a sushi counter or kaiseki restaurant, chefs approach each meal with the philosophy of <span class=\"jp-word\">\u4e00\u671f\u4e00\u4f1a (ichigo ichie)<\/span> \u2014 “one lifetime, one meeting.” The idea is that this specific meal, with these specific ingredients on this specific day, will never happen again. It’s a beautiful mindset that turns dinner into meditation.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"callout\">\n <div class=\"callout-title\">Bonus Vocabulary<\/div>\n <p><strong>\u548c\u98df (washoku)<\/strong> \u2014 Japanese cuisine (UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2013). <strong>\u6d0b\u98df (y\u014dshoku)<\/strong> \u2014 “Western food” as adapted in Japan (like omurice and hamburg steak). <strong>\u4e2d\u83ef (ch\u016bka)<\/strong> \u2014 Chinese food, Japanese-style.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<section id=\"study-tips\">\n<h2>Maki’s Study Tips for Food Vocabulary <span class=\"jp\">\u52b9\u679c\u7684\u306a\u5b66\u7fd2\u6cd5<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p>After teaching Japanese for years, here’s what actually works for absorbing food vocabulary quickly.<\/p>\n\n<h3>1. Learn Words in Context, Not Alone<\/h3>\n<p>Don’t memorize “ebi” in isolation. Learn it inside a phrase: <span class=\"jp-word\">\u3048\u3073\u306e\u5929\u3077\u3089\u3092\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044 (ebi no tempura wo kudasai)<\/span>. Your brain remembers phrases better than isolated words because it stores them with a purpose.<\/p>\n\n<h3>2. Read a Real Japanese Menu Every Day<\/h3>\n<p>Even if you’re not in Japan, search online for a menu (Ichiran ramen or a conveyor sushi chain like Sushiro is a great start). Try to read three items per day. In a month, you’ll recognize most of the vocabulary in this article without effort.<\/p>\n\n<h3>3. Use Both Scripts<\/h3>\n<p>Japanese foods use hiragana, katakana, and kanji depending on origin. <span class=\"jp-word\">\u5bff\u53f8<\/span> in kanji, <span class=\"jp-word\">\u30e9\u30fc\u30e1\u30f3<\/span> in katakana (loanword), <span class=\"jp-word\">\u3066\u3093\u3077\u3089<\/span> or <span class=\"jp-word\">\u5929\u3077\u3089<\/span> either way. Practicing food words is one of the best ways to internalize when to use which script.<\/p>\n\n<h3>4. Watch Cooking Shows or YouTube Shorts<\/h3>\n<p>Search “Japanese ramen” on YouTube and you’ll find hundreds of shop tours in Japanese with subtitles. Your brain will connect words to visuals faster than any flashcard app can.<\/p>\n\n<h3>5. Cook It Yourself<\/h3>\n<p>The absolute fastest way to remember <span class=\"jp-word\">\u91a4\u6cb9 (sh\u014dyu)<\/span> and <span class=\"jp-word\">\u307f\u308a\u3093 (mirin)<\/span> is to use them in your own kitchen. Try making one Japanese dish per week \u2014 even instant ramen with proper toppings counts.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"tip-box\">\n <div class=\"tip-box-title\">The 7-Day Challenge<\/div>\n <p>Pick 7 food words from this article \u2014 just seven. Say each one out loud 10 times a day for a week. Photograph or draw the food to associate the sound with the image. After 7 days, they will feel like English to you. Repeat with the next 7 words next week.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"video-lesson\">\n<h2>Watch the Video Lesson <span class=\"jp\">\u52d5\u753b\u3067\u767a\u97f3\u3092\u78ba\u8a8d\u3057\u3088\u3046<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p>The best way to lock in food vocabulary is to hear it spoken by a native speaker. Watch the accompanying YouTube Shorts lesson embedded earlier and shadow the pronunciation \u2014 repeat each word right after I say it. That single technique will improve your accent faster than months of silent flashcard drilling.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"social-embed-note\">\n <div>\ud83d\udcf8 Follow the lesson series on Instagram<\/div>\n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/makiymamoto\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@makiymamoto \u2014 Making Japanese easy & beautiful \u2728<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"social-embed-note\">\n <div>\ud83c\udfac Watch the Instagram companion video<\/div>\n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DZkm1geNMPL\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Instagram Reel: Japanese food vocabulary in 60 seconds<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"social-embed-note\">\n <div>\ud83d\udcd8 Introduce yourself in Japanese \u2014 Facebook lesson<\/div>\n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/makiymamoto\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u65e5\u672c\u8a9e\u3067\u81ea\u5df1\u7d39\u4ecb\u3057\u3066\u307f\u3088\u3046\uff01 \u2014 Facebook page<\/a><br>\n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/reel\/1489090479206631\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\ud83c\udfa5 Facebook Reel companion video<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<div class=\"cta-box\">\n <h3>Learn Japanese with Maki \u2014 Personalized Support<\/h3>\n <p>Want structured lessons tailored to your level? I provide dedicated Japanese language learning support for students around the world. Get help with JLPT prep, conversation, business Japanese, or just food vocabulary that sticks!<\/p>\n <a href=\"https:\/\/ayucom.co.jp\/%e3%81%ab%e3%81%a1%e3%81%95%e3%81%bd\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Start Learning \u2192<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"affiliate-section\">\n <h3>\ud83d\udecd\ufe0f Maki’s Rakuten ROOM \u2014 Recommended Japanese Learning Goods<\/h3>\n <p class=\"affiliate-disclosure\">Curated picks from Rakuten. As an affiliate we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.<\/p>\n <p>Explore Japanese textbooks, character stationery, and study tools I personally recommend for language learners:<\/p>\n <p style=\"text-align:center;\">\n <a href=\"https:\/\/room.rakuten.co.jp\/room_c9be3dff9e\/items\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow sponsored noopener\" style=\"display:inline-block; background:var(--coral); color:white; padding:12px 28px; border-radius:30px; text-decoration:none; font-weight:700;\">\ud83d\uded2 Visit Maki’s Rakuten ROOM<\/a>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"affiliate-section\">\n <h3>\ud83c\udf81 Amazon Daily Deals \u2014 \u6bce\u65e5\u304a\u5f97\u306a\u30bf\u30a4\u30e0\u30bb\u30fc\u30eb<\/h3>\n <p class=\"affiliate-disclosure\">Amazon Associates affiliate link.<\/p>\n <p>Looking for Japanese textbooks, kitchen tools to try Japanese cooking at home, or a rice cooker? Amazon Japan’s daily flash sale is a great starting point:<\/p>\n <p style=\"text-align:center;\">\n <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4adCPw8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow sponsored noopener\" style=\"display:inline-block; background:#ff9900; color:white; padding:12px 28px; border-radius:30px; text-decoration:none; font-weight:700;\">\ud83d\udd25 See Today’s Amazon Deals<\/a>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"affiliate-section\">\n <h3>\ud83d\udcbb AI Tools I Personally Use for Content Creation<\/h3>\n <p class=\"affiliate-disclosure\">Referral links \u2014 I earn a small credit if you sign up. Thanks for supporting this blog!<\/p>\n <p><strong>Cursor AI<\/strong> \u2014 the AI code editor I use for writing and editing my lesson materials. Sign up with my referral for a free trial:<\/p>\n <p style=\"text-align:center; margin:16px 0;\">\n <a href=\"https:\/\/cursor.com\/referral?code=77FGR9JHH4QJ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow sponsored noopener\" style=\"display:inline-block; background:var(--soy); color:white; padding:10px 24px; border-radius:20px; text-decoration:none; font-weight:700;\">Try Cursor AI<\/a>\n <\/p>\n <p><strong>MusicCreator AI<\/strong> \u2014 I use this to create background music for my lesson videos. Invite code: <strong>8M1WEZ<\/strong><\/p>\n <p style=\"text-align:center; margin:16px 0;\">\n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.musiccreator.ai?invite_code=8M1WEZ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow sponsored noopener\" style=\"display:inline-block; background:var(--matcha-deep); color:white; padding:10px 24px; border-radius:20px; text-decoration:none; font-weight:700;\">Try MusicCreator AI<\/a>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"affiliate-section\">\n <h3>\ud83d\udecd\ufe0f \u697d\u5929\u306e\u4eba\u6c17\u5546\u54c1\u3092\u898b\u3066\u307f\u308b<\/h3>\n <p class=\"affiliate-disclosure\">Rakuten Affiliate widget below.<\/p>\n <script type=\"text\/javascript\">rakuten_design=\"slide\";rakuten_affiliateId=\"1789bf80.7ad7d013.1789bf81.6544ae39\";rakuten_items=\"ctsmatch\";rakuten_genreId=\"0\";rakuten_size=\"728x200\";rakuten_target=\"_blank\";rakuten_theme=\"gray\";rakuten_border=\"off\";rakuten_auto_mode=\"on\";rakuten_genre_title=\"off\";rakuten_recommend=\"on\";rakuten_ts=\"1781877083605\";<\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/xml.affiliate.rakuten.co.jp\/widget\/js\/rakuten_widget.js?20230106\"><\/script>\n <br>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"affiliate-section\">\n <h3>\u2728 Featured Product \u2014 MiiS Whitening Gel<\/h3>\n <p class=\"affiliate-disclosure\">Rakuten Ichiba affiliate.<\/p>\n <table border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\"><tr><td><div style=\"border:1px solid #95a5a6;border-radius:.75rem;background-color:#FFFFFF;width:504px;max-width:100%;margin:0px;padding:5px;text-align:center;overflow:hidden;\"><table><tr><td style=\"width:240px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hb.afl.rakuten.co.jp\/ichiba\/552dd711.67147af4.552dd712.79392bd1\/?pc=https%3A%2F%2Fitem.rakuten.co.jp%2Fmiis%2Fmiis-we6%2F&link_type=picttext&ut=eyJwYWdlIjoiaXRlbSIsInR5cGUiOiJwaWN0dGV4dCIsInNpemUiOiIyNDB4MjQwIiwibmFtIjoxLCJuYW1wIjoicmlnaHQiLCJjb20iOjEsImNvbXAiOiJkb3duIiwicHJpY2UiOjEsImJvciI6MSwiY29sIjoxLCJiYnRuIjoxLCJwcm9kIjowLCJhbXAiOmZhbHNlfQ%3D%3D\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow sponsored noopener\" style=\"word-wrap:break-word;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/hbb.afl.rakuten.co.jp\/hgb\/552dd711.67147af4.552dd712.79392bd1\/?me_id=1398750&item_id=10000057&pc=https%3A%2F%2Fthumbnail.image.rakuten.co.jp%2F%400_mall%2Fmiis%2Fcabinet%2F08139671%2F13353307%2F6month_lumina.jpg%3F_ex%3D240x240&s=240x240&t=picttext\" border=\"0\" style=\"margin:2px\" alt=\"[\u5546\u54c1\u4fa1\u683c\u306b\u95a2\u3057\u307e\u3057\u3066\u306f\u3001\u30ea\u30f3\u30af\u304c\u4f5c\u6210\u3055\u308c\u305f\u6642\u70b9\u3068\u73fe\u6642\u70b9\u3067\u60c5\u5831\u304c\u5909\u66f4\u3055\u308c\u3066\u3044\u308b\u5834\u5408\u304c\u3054\u3056\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002]\" title=\"[\u5546\u54c1\u4fa1\u683c\u306b\u95a2\u3057\u307e\u3057\u3066\u306f\u3001\u30ea\u30f3\u30af\u304c\u4f5c\u6210\u3055\u308c\u305f\u6642\u70b9\u3068\u73fe\u6642\u70b9\u3067\u60c5\u5831\u304c\u5909\u66f4\u3055\u308c\u3066\u3044\u308b\u5834\u5408\u304c\u3054\u3056\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002]\"><\/a><\/td><td style=\"vertical-align:top;width:248px;display: block;\"><p style=\"font-size:12px;line-height:1.4em;text-align:left;margin:0px;padding:2px 6px;word-wrap:break-word\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hb.afl.rakuten.co.jp\/ichiba\/552dd711.67147af4.552dd712.79392bd1\/?pc=https%3A%2F%2Fitem.rakuten.co.jp%2Fmiis%2Fmiis-we6%2F&link_type=picttext&ut=eyJwYWdlIjoiaXRlbSIsInR5cGUiOiJwaWN0dGV4dCIsInNpemUiOiIyNDB4MjQwIiwibmFtIjoxLCJuYW1wIjoicmlnaHQiLCJjb20iOjEsImNvbXAiOiJkb3duIiwicHJpY2UiOjEsImJvciI6MSwiY29sIjoxLCJiYnRuIjoxLCJwcm9kIjowLCJhbXAiOmZhbHNlfQ%3D%3D\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow sponsored noopener\" style=\"word-wrap:break-word;\">\u3010\u30a2\u30a6\u30c8\u30ec\u30c3\u30c8\u30bb\u30fc\u30eb\u54c1\u3011\u516c\u5f0f\u300a6\u304b\u6708\u96c6\u4e2d\u30bb\u30c3\u30c8\u300b MiiS \u30df\u30fc\u30ba \u30db\u30ef\u30a4\u30c8\u30cb\u30f3\u30b0\u30b8\u30a7\u30eb \u30db\u30ef\u30a4\u30c8\u30cb\u30f3\u30b0\u30b8\u30a7\u30eb \u6b6f\u306e\u7f8e\u5bb9\u6db2 \u6b6f\u78e8\u304d\u30b8\u30a7\u30eb \u30db\u30ef\u30a4\u30c8\u30cb\u30f3\u30b0 \u30b8\u30a7\u30eb \u866b\u6b6f\u4e88\u9632 \u81ea\u5b85 \u7c21\u5358 \u53e3\u81ed \u30aa\u30fc\u30e9\u30eb\u30b1\u30a2 \u6b6f\u78e8\u304d \u6b6f \u9ec4\u3070\u307f<\/a><br><span >\u4fa1\u683c\uff1a9,900\u5186\uff08\u7a0e\u8fbc\u3001\u9001\u6599\u5225)<\/span> <span style=\"color:#BBB\">(2026\/6\/24\u6642\u70b9)<\/span><\/p><div style=\"margin:10px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hb.afl.rakuten.co.jp\/ichiba\/552dd711.67147af4.552dd712.79392bd1\/?pc=https%3A%2F%2Fitem.rakuten.co.jp%2Fmiis%2Fmiis-we6%2F&link_type=picttext&ut=eyJwYWdlIjoiaXRlbSIsInR5cGUiOiJwaWN0dGV4dCIsInNpemUiOiIyNDB4MjQwIiwibmFtIjoxLCJuYW1wIjoicmlnaHQiLCJjb20iOjEsImNvbXAiOiJkb3duIiwicHJpY2UiOjEsImJvciI6MSwiY29sIjoxLCJiYnRuIjoxLCJwcm9kIjowLCJhbXAiOmZhbHNlfQ==\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow sponsored noopener\" style=\"word-wrap:break-word;\"><div style=\"float:right;width:41%;height:27px;background-color:#bf0000;color:#fff!important;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;line-height:27px;margin-left:1px;padding: 0 12px;border-radius:16px;cursor:pointer;text-align:center;\"> \u697d\u5929\u3067\u8cfc\u5165 <\/div><\/a><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/table><\/div><br><p style=\"color:#000000;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4em;margin:5px;word-wrap:break-word\"><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"link-series\">\n <h3>\ud83d\udcdd AI\u3060\u3051\u3067note\u53ce\u76ca\u5316\u306b\u6311\u6226\u4e2d\u3010\u5168\u8a18\u9332\u516c\u958b\u3011<\/h3>\n <p style=\"font-size:14px; color:var(--soy-soft); margin-bottom:14px;\">20\u5e74\u30a8\u30f3\u30b8\u30cb\u30a2\uff0625\u5e74\u7d4c\u55b6\u306e\u79c1\u304c\u3001AI\u3060\u3051\u3067note\u306e\u53ce\u76ca\u5316\u306b\u6311\u6226\u3059\u308b\u5b9f\u9332\u30b7\u30ea\u30fc\u30ba\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n <ul>\n <li><a href=\"https:\/\/note.com\/ripon1039\/n\/n0957ad76fc1a\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u307e\u305a\u306f\u3053\u3053\u304b\u3089\uff08\u6311\u6226\u5ba3\u8a00\u30fb\u7121\u6599\uff09<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"https:\/\/note.com\/ripon1039\/n\/nf264768e96aa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u7a3c\u3052\u308b\u30b8\u30e3\u30f3\u30eb\u306e\u9078\u3073\u65b9\uff08\u7121\u6599\uff09<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"https:\/\/note.com\/ripon1039\/n\/n3bde0bd23c74\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u3010\u5b9f\u9332\u3011\u516c\u958b1\u9031\u9593\u3001\u6709\u6599\u306e\u58f2\u4e0a\u306f0\u5186\u3067\u3057\u305f\uff08\u7121\u6599\uff09<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"https:\/\/note.com\/ripon1039\/n\/nff5145cf2d94\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">AI\u30671\u65e53\u672c\u91cf\u7523\u3059\u308b\u65b9\u6cd5\uff08\u5b9f\u30d7\u30ed\u30f3\u30d7\u30c8\u4ed8\u304d\uff09<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"https:\/\/note.com\/ripon1039\/n\/nb9856f8869f8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u58f2\u308c\u308b\u9ec4\u91d1\u30c6\u30f3\u30d7\u30ec\u30fc\u30c8\uff5c\u30b3\u30d4\u30da\u53ef<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"https:\/\/note.com\/ripon1039\/n\/n7b439477ad1c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u25bc\u4eca\u65e5\u306e\u8a18\u4e8b\u306f\u3053\u3061\u3089<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <p style=\"font-size:13px; color:var(--sesame); margin-top:12px;\">#AI #note #\u526f\u696d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"link-series\">\n <h3>\ud83d\udcdd AI\u3060\u3051\u3067Tips\u53ce\u76ca\u5316\u306b\u6311\u6226\u4e2d\u3010\u5168\u8a18\u9332\u516c\u958b\u3011<\/h3>\n <ul>\n <li><a href=\"https:\/\/tips.jp\/u\/ripon\/a\/Byoiugo6\/d\/dac\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u307e\u305a\u306f\u3053\u3053\u304b\u3089\uff08\u6311\u6226\u5ba3\u8a00\u30fb\u7121\u6599\uff09<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"https:\/\/tips.jp\/u\/ripon\/a\/VrLHYVyH\/d\/dac\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u7a3c\u3052\u308b\u30b8\u30e3\u30f3\u30eb\u306e\u9078\u3073\u65b9\uff08\u7121\u6599\uff09<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"https:\/\/tqv.jp\/s\/Q2FVIk\/d\/dac\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">AI\u30671\u65e53\u672c\u91cf\u7523\u3059\u308b\u65b9\u6cd5\uff08\u5b9f\u30d7\u30ed\u30f3\u30d7\u30c8\u4ed8\u304d\uff09<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"https:\/\/tips.jp\/u\/ripon\/a\/ru6BJja7\/d\/dac\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u58f2\u308c\u308b\u9ec4\u91d1\u30c6\u30f3\u30d7\u30ec\u30fc\u30c8\uff5c\u30b3\u30d4\u30da\u53ef<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"https:\/\/tips.jp\/u\/ripon\/a\/sgTlyfJP\/d\/dac\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u300e\u65e2\u8aad\u306e\u5411\u3053\u3046\u306b\u3001\u541b\u304c\u3044\u305f\u3002\u300f\u30b7\u30ea\u30fc\u30ba\u7d39\u4ecb<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"https:\/\/tips.jp\/u\/ripon\/a\/jc0esUpP\/d\/dac\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u7b2c1\u8a71\u300c\u65e2\u8aad\u300d<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <p style=\"font-size:13px; color:var(--sesame); margin-top:12px;\">#AI #note #\u526f\u696d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<section id=\"faq\" class=\"faq-section\">\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions <span class=\"jp\">\u3088\u304f\u3042\u308b\u8cea\u554f<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<div class=\"faq-item\">\n <div class=\"faq-question\">\n <span>What does “itadakimasu” mean before eating?<\/span>\n <span class=\"faq-toggle\">+<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"faq-answer\">\n <p><span class=\"jp-word\">\u3044\u305f\u3060\u304d\u307e\u3059 (itadakimasu)<\/span> is said before every meal in Japan. It literally means “I humbly receive” and expresses gratitude to everyone involved in bringing the food to your plate \u2014 farmers, cooks, and even the ingredients themselves. It’s a cultural must, not optional politeness. Even eating alone, Japanese people say it.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"faq-item\">\n <div class=\"faq-question\">\n <span>How do I order sushi in Japanese at a restaurant?<\/span>\n <span class=\"faq-toggle\">+<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"faq-answer\">\n <p>Say the sushi name plus <span class=\"jp-word\">\u301c\u3092\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044 (wo kudasai)<\/span>. For example: <span class=\"jp-word\">\u307e\u3050\u308d\u3092\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044 (Maguro wo kudasai)<\/span> means “Tuna, please.” To ask for the recommendation, use <span class=\"jp-word\">\u304a\u3059\u3059\u3081\u306f\u4f55\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f(Osusume wa nan desu ka?)<\/span> \u2014 this phrase alone will make sushi chefs love you.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"faq-item\">\n <div class=\"faq-question\">\n <span>What are the main types of ramen in Japan?<\/span>\n <span class=\"faq-toggle\">+<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"faq-answer\">\n <p>The four classic ramen broths are <strong>shoyu (soy sauce)<\/strong>, <strong>miso (fermented soybean paste)<\/strong>, <strong>shio (salt)<\/strong>, and <strong>tonkotsu (pork bone)<\/strong>. Each region has its signature \u2014 Hakata is famous for tonkotsu, Sapporo for miso with butter and corn, Tokyo for shoyu with curly noodles, and Hakodate for delicate shio.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"faq-item\">\n <div class=\"faq-question\">\n <span>Is tempura difficult vocabulary for Japanese beginners?<\/span>\n <span class=\"faq-toggle\">+<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"faq-answer\">\n <p>No \u2014 tempura vocabulary is beginner-friendly. Most items are common ingredients you already know (ebi = shrimp, nasu = eggplant, kabocha = pumpkin). Just add <span class=\"jp-word\">\u301c\u306e\u5929\u3077\u3089 (no tempura)<\/span> to name each piece. Learning tempura vocabulary essentially teaches you the words for Japan’s most common vegetables and seafood in one go.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"faq-item\">\n <div class=\"faq-question\">\n <span>Should I learn food vocabulary in hiragana or katakana?<\/span>\n <span class=\"faq-toggle\">+<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"faq-answer\">\n <p>Both. Native Japanese foods (sushi, tempura, udon, soba) are usually written in <strong>hiragana or kanji<\/strong>, while imported or loanword foods (ramen, curry, hamburger, pasta) are written in <strong>katakana<\/strong>. Learning both scripts unlocks the whole menu. This is one of the best reasons to learn katakana thoroughly \u2014 most menus mix all three scripts.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"faq-item\">\n <div class=\"faq-question\">\n <span>Why is ramen written in katakana even though it’s Japanese?<\/span>\n <span class=\"faq-toggle\">+<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"faq-answer\">\n <p>Great question! Ramen originated as a Chinese dish (l\u0101mi\u00e0n \u62c9\u9eba), and even though it has evolved into a distinctly Japanese food, it’s still classified as a loanword. Japanese uses katakana for foreign-origin words even when they’ve been thoroughly Japanized. You’ll occasionally see \u62c9\u9eba or \u4e2d\u83ef\u305d\u3070, but \u30e9\u30fc\u30e1\u30f3 is by far the most common spelling.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"faq-item\">\n <div class=\"faq-question\">\n <span>What’s the difference between “oishii” and “umai”?<\/span>\n <span class=\"faq-toggle\">+<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"faq-answer\">\n <p>Both mean “delicious,” but the register is different. <span class=\"jp-word\">\u304a\u3044\u3057\u3044 (oishii)<\/span> is the polite, all-purpose word \u2014 safe with anyone, anywhere. <span class=\"jp-word\">\u3046\u307e\u3044 (umai)<\/span> is more casual and traditionally masculine \u2014 use it with close friends, at izakaya with buddies, or when watching sports. In a formal setting, always default to “oishii.”<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"faq-item\">\n <div class=\"faq-question\">\n <span>How much food vocabulary should I know for JLPT N5?<\/span>\n <span class=\"faq-toggle\">+<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"faq-answer\">\n <p>For JLPT N5, aim to know 25\u201340 food-related words including basics like <span class=\"jp-word\">\u3054\u98ef (rice\/meal)<\/span>, <span class=\"jp-word\">\u304a\u8336 (tea)<\/span>, <span class=\"jp-word\">\u6c34 (water)<\/span>, <span class=\"jp-word\">\u8089 (meat)<\/span>, <span class=\"jp-word\">\u9b5a (fish)<\/span>, and <span class=\"jp-word\">\u91ce\u83dc (vegetables)<\/span>, plus core verbs like <span class=\"jp-word\">\u98df\u3079\u308b (to eat)<\/span> and <span class=\"jp-word\">\u98f2\u3080 (to drink)<\/span>. The vocabulary in this article covers roughly two-thirds of the JLPT N5 food category and extends into N4 territory.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/section>\n\n<section id=\"conclusion\">\n<h2>Conclusion <span class=\"jp\">\u307e\u3068\u3081<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Congratulations \u2014 you’ve just learned enough Japanese food vocabulary to walk into any restaurant in Tokyo with confidence. You now know the words for sushi types, ramen broths, tempura ingredients, the essential ordering phrases, and the cultural context that gives Japanese cuisine its soul.<\/p>\n<p>The next step is practice. Watch the video lesson above, try ordering out loud, and if you’re not in Japan yet, cook something Japanese this week. The vocabulary in this article will feel like a second language by month’s end.<\/p>\n<p>Remember: <span class=\"jp-word\">\u304a\u3044\u3057\u3044 (oishii)<\/span> is the most powerful word in Japanese. Use it often, and you’ll make friends everywhere you eat.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align:center; margin-top:30px; font-size:20px; font-family: 'Klee One', serif; color:var(--coral-deep); font-weight:600;\">\n See you in the next lesson! \ud83c\udf63<br>\n \u307e\u305f\u6765\u9031\u306e\u30ec\u30c3\u30b9\u30f3\u3067\u304a\u4f1a\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3057\u3087\u3046\uff01\n<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n<\/main>\n\n<aside class=\"sidebar\">\n <div class=\"sidebar-card profile\">\n <div class=\"profile-avatar\">\ud83d\uddfc<\/div>\n <div class=\"profile-name\">Maki Yamamoto<\/div>\n <div class=\"profile-jp\">\u5c71\u672c \u307e\u304d<\/div>\n <div class=\"profile-bio\">\n Japanese teacher based in Tokyo. Making Japanese easy & beautiful \u2728 Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for daily lessons.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sidebar-card\">\n <div class=\"sidebar-title\">\ud83c\udf5c Quick Jump<\/div>\n <div class=\"sidebar-links\">\n <a href=\"#sushi\">\u5bff\u53f8 \u2014 Sushi<\/a>\n <a href=\"#ramen\">\u30e9\u30fc\u30e1\u30f3 \u2014 Ramen<\/a>\n <a href=\"#tempura\">\u5929\u3077\u3089 \u2014 Tempura<\/a>\n <a href=\"#etiquette\">Etiquette<\/a>\n <a href=\"#restaurant\">Restaurant Phrases<\/a>\n <a href=\"#study-tips\">Study Tips<\/a>\n <a href=\"#faq\">FAQ<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sidebar-card\">\n <div class=\"sidebar-title\">\ud83d\udcda Follow Maki<\/div>\n <div class=\"sidebar-links\">\n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/makiymamoto\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\ud83d\udcf8 Instagram @makiymamoto<\/a>\n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/makiymamoto\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\ud83d\udcd8 Facebook Page<\/a>\n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/shorts\/hL2UOwW18VA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\ud83c\udfa5 YouTube Shorts<\/a>\n <a href=\"https:\/\/ayucom.co.jp\/%e3%81%ab%e3%81%a1%e3%81%95%e3%81%bd\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\ud83c\udf93 \u306b\u3061\u3055\u307d \u2014 Lesson Support<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sidebar-card\">\n <div class=\"sidebar-title\">\u2728 Key Takeaway<\/div>\n <p style=\"font-size:14px; color:var(--soy-soft); line-height:1.65;\">\n Food vocabulary is the fastest bridge into real Japanese conversation. Master these 100+ words and you’ll unlock menus, small talk, and cultural moments across all of Japan.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/aside>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<footer class=\"site-footer\">\n <div class=\"footer-inner\">\n <div class=\"footer-grid\">\n <div class=\"footer-col\">\n <h4>Japanese with Maki<\/h4>\n <p>Weekly Japanese lessons from Tokyo. Grammar, vocabulary, culture, and conversation practice for learners at every level.<\/p>\n <p>\u00a9 2026 AYUCOM CO LTD. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"footer-col\">\n <h4>Lessons<\/h4>\n <a href=\"https:\/\/ayucom.co.jp\/category\/japanese-with-maki\/\">All Lessons<\/a>\n <a href=\"#sushi\">Sushi Vocabulary<\/a>\n <a href=\"#ramen\">Ramen Vocabulary<\/a>\n <a href=\"#tempura\">Tempura Vocabulary<\/a>\n <a href=\"https:\/\/ayucom.co.jp\/%e3%81%ab%e3%81%a1%e3%81%95%e3%81%bd\/\">Get Learning Support<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"footer-col\">\n <h4>Connect<\/h4>\n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/makiymamoto\/\">Instagram<\/a>\n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/makiymamoto\/\">Facebook<\/a>\n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/shorts\/hL2UOwW18VA\">YouTube<\/a>\n <a href=\"https:\/\/room.rakuten.co.jp\/room_c9be3dff9e\/items\">Rakuten ROOM<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"footer-disclaimer\">\n <p><strong>Affiliate Disclosure:<\/strong> This site participates in various affiliate programs including Amazon Associates, Rakuten Affiliate, and A8.net. When you purchase items through the links on this page, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support our free lessons \u2014 thank you!<\/p>\n <p style=\"margin-top:10px;\">This article was published on July 2, 2026. Content is provided for educational purposes only. 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{"id":159,"date":"2026-07-02T09:16:19","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T00:16:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/form.hit-ad.net\/?p=159"},"modified":"2026-07-02T09:16:21","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T00:16:21","slug":"%e6%97%a5%e6%9c%ac%e8%aa%9e%e3%82%92%e4%b8%80%e7%b7%92%e3%81%ab%e5%8b%89%e5%bc%b7%e3%81%97%e3%81%be%e3%81%97%e3%82%87%e3%81%86-%f0%9f%8c%b8","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/form.hit-ad.net\/?p=159","title":{"rendered":"\u65e5\u672c\u8a9e\u3092\u4e00\u7dd2\u306b\u52c9\u5f37\u3057\u307e\u3057\u3087\u3046 \ud83c\udf38"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n\nJapanese Food Vocabulary Guide 2026 | Sushi, Ramen & Tempura Words with Maki | Learn Japanese<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Master Japanese food vocabulary with Tokyo-based teacher Maki. Learn essential words for sushi (\u5bff\u53f8), ramen (\u30e9\u30fc\u30e1\u30f3), tempura (\u5929\u3077\u3089) plus restaurant phrases, etiquette, and pronunciation tips for JLPT and travel.\">\n<meta name=\"keywords\" content=\"\u65e5\u672c\u98df,\u5bff\u53f8,\u30e9\u30fc\u30e1\u30f3,\u5929\u3077\u3089,Japanese food vocabulary,\u65e5\u672c\u8a9e,Learn Japanese,Japanese words,\u98df\u3079\u7269 \u65e5\u672c\u8a9e,Japan food,sushi vocabulary,ramen types,tempura Japanese\">\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Maki Yamamoto\">\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow\">\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/ayucom.co.jp\/japanese-food-vocabulary-sushi-ramen-tempura\/\">\n\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\">\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Japanese Food Vocabulary Guide | Sushi, Ramen & Tempura with Maki\">\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn essential Japanese food words \u2014 sushi, ramen, tempura and more \u2014 with Tokyo Japanese teacher Maki. Full vocabulary lists, kana, pronunciation, and restaurant phrases.\">\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/ayucom.co.jp\/japanese-food-vocabulary-sushi-ramen-tempura\/\">\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"AYUCOM Language Learning\">\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\">\n<meta property=\"og:locale:alternate\" content=\"ja_JP\">\n\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\">\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Japanese Food Vocabulary | Sushi, Ramen, Tempura with Maki\">\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"Learn Japanese food words with Tokyo teacher Maki. Sushi, ramen, tempura vocab plus restaurant phrases.\">\n\n<link rel=\"preconnect\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\">\n<link rel=\"preconnect\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.gstatic.com\" crossorigin>\n<link href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Klee+One:wght@400;600&family=Kosugi+Maru&family=Fraunces:opsz,wght@9..144,400;9..144,600;9..144,700&family=Nunito:wght@400;600;700&display=swap\" rel=\"stylesheet\">\n\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n \"@type\": \"Article\",\n \"headline\": \"Japanese Food Vocabulary Guide 2026: Sushi, Ramen & Tempura Words with Maki\",\n \"description\": \"Complete Japanese food vocabulary guide covering sushi, ramen, tempura, restaurant phrases, and dining etiquette from Tokyo-based Japanese teacher Maki.\",\n \"image\": \"https:\/\/ayucom.co.jp\/images\/japanese-food-vocab-hero.jpg\",\n \"author\": {\n \"@type\": \"Person\",\n \"name\": \"Maki Yamamoto\",\n \"jobTitle\": \"Japanese Language Teacher\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/makiymamoto\/\"\n },\n \"publisher\": {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"AYUCOM CO LTD\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/ayucom.co.jp\/\"\n },\n \"datePublished\": \"2026-07-02\",\n \"dateModified\": \"2026-07-02\",\n \"inLanguage\": \"en\",\n \"mainEntityOfPage\": {\n \"@type\": \"WebPage\",\n \"@id\": \"https:\/\/ayucom.co.jp\/japanese-food-vocabulary-sushi-ramen-tempura\/\"\n }\n}\n<\/script>\n\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n \"mainEntity\": [\n {\n \"@type\": \"Question\",\n \"name\": \"What does itadakimasu mean before eating?\",\n \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n \"text\": \"Itadakimasu (\u3044\u305f\u3060\u304d\u307e\u3059) is said before every meal in Japan. It literally means 'I humbly receive' and expresses gratitude to everyone involved in bringing the food \u2014 farmers, cooks, and the ingredients themselves. It is a cultural must, not optional politeness.\"\n }\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Question\",\n \"name\": \"How do I order sushi in Japanese at a restaurant?\",\n \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n \"text\": \"Say the sushi name plus 'wo kudasai' (\u3092\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044). For example: 'Maguro wo kudasai' (\u307e\u3050\u308d\u3092\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044) means 'Tuna, please.' To ask for the recommendation, use 'Osusume wa nan desu ka?' (\u304a\u3059\u3059\u3081\u306f\u4f55\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f).\"\n }\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Question\",\n \"name\": \"What are the main types of ramen in Japan?\",\n \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n \"text\": \"The four classic ramen broths are shoyu (soy sauce), miso (fermented soybean paste), shio (salt), and tonkotsu (pork bone). Each region has its own signature \u2014 Hakata is famous for tonkotsu, Sapporo for miso, and Tokyo for shoyu.\"\n }\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Question\",\n \"name\": \"Is tempura difficult vocabulary for Japanese beginners?\",\n \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n \"text\": \"No \u2014 tempura vocabulary is beginner friendly. Most items are common ingredients you already know (ebi = shrimp, nasu = eggplant, kabocha = pumpkin). Just add 'no tempura' (\u306e\u5929\u3077\u3089) to name each piece.\"\n }\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Question\",\n \"name\": \"Should I learn food vocabulary in hiragana or katakana?\",\n \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n \"text\": \"Both. Native Japanese foods (sushi, tempura, udon) are usually written in hiragana or kanji, while imported or loanword foods (ramen, curry, hamburger) are written in katakana. Learning both scripts unlocks the whole menu.\"\n }\n }\n ]\n}\n<\/script>\n<style>\n:root {\n --washi: #fbf3e4;\n --washi-deep: #f4e7ce;\n --soy: #2e1a10;\n --soy-soft: #4a2e21;\n --coral: #e56e5a;\n --coral-deep: #c14e3d;\n --matcha: #7a9c4a;\n --matcha-deep: #5a7a2f;\n --tamago: #f2c34a;\n --tamago-deep: #d9a220;\n --sesame: #cbb08a;\n --paper-line: #e8d5b0;\n --shadow-warm: rgba(46, 26, 16, 0.08);\n --shadow-deep: rgba(46, 26, 16, 0.15);\n}\n* { margin: 0; padding: 0; box-sizing: border-box; }\nhtml { scroll-behavior: smooth; scroll-padding-top: 80px; }\nbody {\n font-family: 'Nunito', 'Kosugi Maru', -apple-system, sans-serif;\n background-color: var(--washi);\n color: var(--soy);\n line-height: 1.85;\n font-size: 17px;\n background-image:\n radial-gradient(circle at 15% 10%, rgba(229, 110, 90, 0.05) 0%, transparent 40%),\n radial-gradient(circle at 85% 60%, rgba(122, 156, 74, 0.05) 0%, transparent 40%),\n radial-gradient(circle at 50% 90%, rgba(242, 195, 74, 0.06) 0%, transparent 45%);\n}\n:lang(ja), .jp { font-family: 'Klee One', 'Kosugi Maru', 'Hiragino Kaku Gothic ProN', sans-serif; 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}\n\n.faq-section { margin: 44px 0; }\n.faq-item {\n background: white;\n border: 1px solid var(--paper-line);\n border-radius: 12px;\n margin-bottom: 12px; overflow: hidden;\n transition: box-shadow .2s;\n}\n.faq-item:hover { box-shadow: 0 4px 18px var(--shadow-warm); }\n.faq-question {\n padding: 18px 22px; cursor: pointer;\n font-weight: 700; color: var(--soy);\n display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center;\n font-family: 'Fraunces', serif; font-size: 16px;\n}\n.faq-question::before {\n content: 'Q'; margin-right: 12px;\n background: var(--coral); color: white;\n width: 26px; height: 26px; border-radius: 50%;\n display: inline-flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center;\n font-size: 13px; flex-shrink: 0;\n}\n.faq-toggle {\n width: 26px; height: 26px; border-radius: 50%;\n background: var(--washi-deep); color: var(--soy);\n display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center;\n font-weight: 700; transition: transform .3s;\n}\n.faq-item.open .faq-toggle { transform: rotate(45deg); }\n.faq-answer {\n max-height: 0; overflow: hidden;\n transition: max-height .35s ease, padding .35s ease;\n padding: 0 22px;\n color: var(--soy-soft);\n}\n.faq-item.open .faq-answer {\n max-height: 500px; padding: 0 22px 20px;\n}\n\n.social-embed-note {\n background: var(--washi-deep); padding: 20px;\n border-radius: 12px; text-align: center;\n margin: 20px 0;\n}\n.social-embed-note a {\n display: inline-block; color: var(--coral-deep);\n font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none;\n margin-top: 6px;\n}\n.social-embed-note a:hover { text-decoration: underline; }\n\n.site-footer {\n background: var(--soy);\n color: var(--washi);\n padding: 50px 20px 30px;\n margin-top: 60px;\n}\n.footer-inner { max-width: 1200px; margin: 0 auto; }\n.footer-grid {\n display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr); gap: 40px;\n margin-bottom: 30px;\n}\n.footer-col h4 {\n font-family: 'Fraunces', serif;\n font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 14px;\n color: var(--tamago);\n}\n.footer-col a {\n color: rgba(251, 243, 228, 0.8); text-decoration: none;\n display: block; padding: 5px 0; font-size: 14px;\n}\n.footer-col a:hover { color: var(--coral); }\n.footer-col p { color: rgba(251, 243, 228, 0.7); font-size: 13.5px; margin-bottom: 8px; }\n.footer-disclaimer {\n border-top: 1px solid rgba(251, 243, 228, 0.15);\n padding-top: 20px; font-size: 12px;\n color: rgba(251, 243, 228, 0.55);\n text-align: center; line-height: 1.7;\n}\n\n@media (max-width: 968px) {\n .container { grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: 30px; }\n .sidebar { position: static; }\n .article-body { padding: 30px 24px; }\n .hero-inner { padding: 34px 26px; }\n .hero h1 { font-size: 30px; }\n .hero h1 .jp-title { font-size: 20px; }\n h2 { font-size: 24px; }\n h3 { font-size: 19px; }\n .footer-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: 24px; }\n .header-nav { display: none; }\n}\n<\/style>\n<\/head>\n<body>\n\n<header class=\"site-header\">\n <div class=\"header-inner\">\n <a href=\"https:\/\/ayucom.co.jp\/\" class=\"logo\">\n <span class=\"logo-mark\"><\/span>\n <span>Japanese with Maki<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <nav class=\"header-nav\">\n <a href=\"#introduction\">Start<\/a>\n <a href=\"#sushi\">Sushi<\/a>\n <a href=\"#ramen\">Ramen<\/a>\n <a href=\"#tempura\">Tempura<\/a>\n <a href=\"#faq\">FAQ<\/a>\n <\/nav>\n <\/div>\n<\/header>\n\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumb\">\n <a href=\"https:\/\/ayucom.co.jp\/\">Home<\/a>\n <span>\u203a<\/span>\n <a href=\"https:\/\/ayucom.co.jp\/category\/japanese-with-maki\/\">Japanese with Maki<\/a>\n <span>\u203a<\/span>\n <span>Japanese Food Vocabulary #11<\/span>\n<\/nav>\n\n<div class=\"hero\">\n <div class=\"hero-inner\">\n <span class=\"hero-tag\">Japanese with Maki #11<\/span>\n <h1>\n Learn Japanese <span class=\"accent\">Food Words<\/span>\n <span class=\"jp-title\">\u65e5\u672c\u98df\u306e\u540d\u524d\u3092\u899a\u3048\u3088\u3046\uff01\u5bff\u53f8\u30fb\u30e9\u30fc\u30e1\u30f3\u30fb\u5929\u3077\u3089<\/span>\n <\/h1>\n <p class=\"hero-lead\">\n Hi, I’m Maki, a Japanese teacher from Tokyo \ud83d\uddfc In this lesson we’ll master the vocabulary for Japan’s three most iconic dishes \u2014 <strong>sushi (\u5bff\u53f8)<\/strong>, <strong>ramen (\u30e9\u30fc\u30e1\u30f3)<\/strong>, and <strong>tempura (\u5929\u3077\u3089)<\/strong> \u2014 plus essential restaurant phrases and dining etiquette that will make you feel at home in any Japanese eatery.\n <\/p>\n <div class=\"hero-meta\">\n <span><span class=\"dot\"><\/span>Published July 2, 2026<\/span>\n <span><span class=\"dot\"><\/span>18 min read<\/span>\n <span><span class=\"dot\"><\/span>Level: N5 \u2013 N4<\/span>\n <span><span class=\"dot\"><\/span>By Maki Yamamoto<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"container\">\n<main class=\"article-body\">\n\n<div class=\"disclaimer-banner\">\n <div>\n <strong>Affiliate Disclosure:<\/strong> This page contains affiliate links (Rakuten, A8.net, Amazon, and others). If you purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. All product recommendations are made independently \u2014 thank you for supporting our lessons!\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<nav class=\"toc\" aria-label=\"Table of Contents\">\n <div class=\"toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/div>\n <ol>\n <li><a href=\"#introduction\">Introduction: Why Food Vocabulary First?<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"#sushi\">Sushi (\u5bff\u53f8) \u2014 The Essentials<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"#ramen\">Ramen (\u30e9\u30fc\u30e1\u30f3) \u2014 Broths, Toppings, Regions<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"#tempura\">Tempura (\u5929\u3077\u3089) \u2014 Crispy Bite-Sized Words<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"#other-foods\">Other Must-Know Japanese Foods<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"#etiquette\">Dining Etiquette Phrases<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"#restaurant\">Restaurant Conversation Cheat Sheet<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"#useful-phrases\">“Delicious!” and Other Reactions<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"#food-culture\">Japanese Food Culture in Context<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"#study-tips\">Maki’s Study Tips for Food Vocabulary<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"#video-lesson\">Watch the Video Lesson<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"#faq\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n\n<section id=\"introduction\">\n<h2>Introduction: Why Food Vocabulary First? <span class=\"jp\">\u306f\u3058\u3081\u306b \u2014 \u306a\u305c\u98df\u3079\u7269\u306e\u8a00\u8449\u304b\u3089\uff1f<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When I teach beginners in Tokyo, I always start with food. Not grammar, not verb conjugations \u2014 <strong>food<\/strong>. Why? Because food vocabulary is the fastest bridge into real Japanese conversation. Within a week of learning ten food words, my students are ordering at izakaya, chatting with sushi chefs, and reading half the menu at a family restaurant.<\/p>\n\n<p>Japan is a country where meals are cultural experiences. Every dish carries history, regional pride, and a specific vocabulary. Sushi alone has over a hundred terms \u2014 but you only need twenty to walk into any sushiya with confidence.<\/p>\n\n<p>This lesson focuses on the three dishes that international students ask me about most often: <span class=\"jp-word\">\u5bff\u53f8 (sushi)<\/span>, <span class=\"jp-word\">\u30e9\u30fc\u30e1\u30f3 (r\u0101men)<\/span>, and <span class=\"jp-word\">\u5929\u3077\u3089 (tempura)<\/span>. By the end, you’ll know how to identify, order, and describe each one \u2014 plus dozens of related words that will unlock the rest of Japanese cuisine.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"callout\">\n <div class=\"callout-title\">Who this lesson is for<\/div>\n <p>Beginners at JLPT N5 level and above, travelers heading to Japan, food lovers who want to read Japanese menus, and anyone who’s ever pointed at a sushi photo and hoped for the best. Let’s fix that today.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<section id=\"sushi\">\n<h2>Sushi (\u5bff\u53f8) \u2014 The Essentials <span class=\"jp\">\u304a\u5bff\u53f8\u306e\u57fa\u672c\u30dc\u30ad\u30e3\u30d6\u30e9\u30ea\u30fc<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p>Sushi is Japan’s most internationally recognized dish, but there’s more to it than the salmon roll you know from home. In Japanese, <span class=\"jp-word\">\u5bff\u53f8 (sushi)<\/span> refers to any dish made with vinegared rice \u2014 the fish is optional! Let’s break down the vocabulary you need.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Types of Sushi <span style=\"color:var(--sesame); font-weight:400; font-size:16px;\">\u2014 \u5bff\u53f8\u306e\u7a2e\u985e<\/span><\/h3>\n\n<table class=\"vocab-table\">\n<thead><tr><th>Japanese<\/th><th>Romaji<\/th><th>Meaning<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u63e1\u308a\u5bff\u53f8 \/ \u306b\u304e\u308a<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">nigiri-zushi<\/td><td>Hand-pressed sushi (rice topped with fish)<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u5dfb\u304d\u5bff\u53f8 \/ \u307e\u304d<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">maki-zushi<\/td><td>Rolled sushi wrapped in nori seaweed<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u8ecd\u8266\u5dfb\u304d<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">gunkan-maki<\/td><td>“Battleship roll” \u2014 nori wrapped around soft toppings<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u3061\u3089\u3057\u5bff\u53f8<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">chirashi-zushi<\/td><td>“Scattered sushi” \u2014 sashimi on a bowl of rice<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u624b\u5dfb\u304d<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">temaki<\/td><td>Hand-rolled cone-shaped sushi<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u7a32\u8377\u5bff\u53f8<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">inari-zushi<\/td><td>Sweet fried tofu pouch stuffed with rice<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<h3>Popular Sushi Toppings (\u30cd\u30bf)<\/h3>\n\n<p>The fish or topping on a piece of sushi is called <span class=\"jp-word\">\u30cd\u30bf (neta)<\/span>. Memorize these and you can order almost anywhere:<\/p>\n\n<table class=\"vocab-table\">\n<thead><tr><th>Japanese<\/th><th>Romaji<\/th><th>English<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u307e\u3050\u308d<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">maguro<\/td><td>Tuna<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u30b5\u30fc\u30e2\u30f3<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">s\u0101mon<\/td><td>Salmon<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u3048\u3073<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">ebi<\/td><td>Shrimp \/ Prawn<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u305f\u307e\u3054<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">tamago<\/td><td>Egg (sweet omelette)<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u3044\u304f\u3089<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">ikura<\/td><td>Salmon roe<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u3046\u306b<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">uni<\/td><td>Sea urchin<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u306f\u307e\u3061<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">hamachi<\/td><td>Yellowtail<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u3044\u304b<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">ika<\/td><td>Squid<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u305f\u3053<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">tako<\/td><td>Octopus<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u3042\u306a\u3054<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">anago<\/td><td>Sea eel<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<div class=\"tip-box\">\n <div class=\"tip-box-title\">Maki’s Insider Tip<\/div>\n <p>At a traditional sushi counter, order in “peaks and valleys” \u2014 start with light white fish (like tai or hirame), work up to fatty tuna (ch\u016b-toro or \u014d-toro), and finish with tamago as a sweet ending. Sushi chefs love it when foreigners know this rhythm!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<h3>Sushi Accompaniments<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"food-list\">\n <li class=\"sushi\"><span class=\"jp-word\">\u308f\u3055\u3073 (wasabi)<\/span> \u2014 Japanese horseradish<\/li>\n <li class=\"sushi\"><span class=\"jp-word\">\u3057\u3087\u3046\u3086 \/ \u91a4\u6cb9 (sh\u014dyu)<\/span> \u2014 Soy sauce<\/li>\n <li class=\"sushi\"><span class=\"jp-word\">\u30ac\u30ea (gari)<\/span> \u2014 Pickled ginger (a palate cleanser)<\/li>\n <li class=\"sushi\"><span class=\"jp-word\">\u3042\u304c\u308a (agari)<\/span> \u2014 Green tea (traditional sushi-shop tea)<\/li>\n <li class=\"sushi\"><span class=\"jp-word\">\u30b7\u30e3\u30ea (shari)<\/span> \u2014 The vinegared rice<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"ramen\">\n<h2>Ramen (\u30e9\u30fc\u30e1\u30f3) \u2014 Broths, Toppings, Regions <span class=\"jp\">\u30e9\u30fc\u30e1\u30f3\u306e\u7a2e\u985e\u3068\u30c8\u30c3\u30d4\u30f3\u30b0<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p>Ramen is written in <strong>katakana<\/strong> (\u30e9\u30fc\u30e1\u30f3) because it’s originally a Chinese loanword that became gloriously, distinctly Japanese. Every prefecture has its own ramen style, and Japanese people take their regional favorites seriously. Here’s the vocabulary you need to navigate any ramen shop.<\/p>\n\n<h3>The Four Classic Broths (\u30b9\u30fc\u30d7)<\/h3>\n\n<table class=\"vocab-table\">\n<thead><tr><th>Japanese<\/th><th>Romaji<\/th><th>Description<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u91a4\u6cb9\u30e9\u30fc\u30e1\u30f3<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">sh\u014dyu r\u0101men<\/td><td>Soy sauce broth \u2014 Tokyo classic, clear brown, savory<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u5473\u564c\u30e9\u30fc\u30e1\u30f3<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">miso r\u0101men<\/td><td>Fermented soybean paste broth \u2014 Sapporo specialty, rich and hearty<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u5869\u30e9\u30fc\u30e1\u30f3<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">shio r\u0101men<\/td><td>Salt broth \u2014 lightest, delicate, Hakodate style<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u3068\u3093\u3053\u3064\u30e9\u30fc\u30e1\u30f3<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">tonkotsu r\u0101men<\/td><td>Pork bone broth \u2014 Hakata \/ Fukuoka, creamy white and rich<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<h3>Regional Ramen Styles<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"food-list\">\n <li class=\"ramen\"><strong>\u672d\u5e4c (Sapporo):<\/strong> Miso ramen with butter and corn \u2014 perfect for cold Hokkaido winters<\/li>\n <li class=\"ramen\"><strong>\u535a\u591a (Hakata):<\/strong> Tonkotsu with thin, straight noodles you can order “kaedama” (extra noodles) for<\/li>\n <li class=\"ramen\"><strong>\u6771\u4eac (Tokyo):<\/strong> Classic shoyu with curly noodles and chashu pork<\/li>\n <li class=\"ramen\"><strong>\u559c\u591a\u65b9 (Kitakata):<\/strong> Flat curly noodles in a light soy-pork broth<\/li>\n <li class=\"ramen\"><strong>\u6a2a\u6d5c\u5bb6\u7cfb (Yokohama Iekei):<\/strong> Rich tonkotsu-shoyu hybrid with spinach and nori<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3>Ramen Toppings (\u30c8\u30c3\u30d4\u30f3\u30b0)<\/h3>\n\n<table class=\"vocab-table\">\n<thead><tr><th>Japanese<\/th><th>Romaji<\/th><th>English<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u30c1\u30e3\u30fc\u30b7\u30e5\u30fc<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">ch\u0101sh\u016b<\/td><td>Braised pork slices<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u5473\u7389 \/ \u716e\u5375<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">ajitama \/ nitamago<\/td><td>Soft-boiled seasoned egg<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u30e1\u30f3\u30de<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">menma<\/td><td>Fermented bamboo shoots<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u306e\u308a<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">nori<\/td><td>Dried seaweed sheet<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u306d\u304e<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">negi<\/td><td>Green onion<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u3082\u3084\u3057<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">moyashi<\/td><td>Bean sprouts<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u30b3\u30fc\u30f3<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">k\u014dn<\/td><td>Sweet corn (Sapporo style)<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u30d0\u30bf\u30fc<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">bat\u0101<\/td><td>Butter (Hokkaido specialty)<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u306b\u3093\u306b\u304f<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">ninniku<\/td><td>Garlic<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<div class=\"callout\">\n <div class=\"callout-title\">Important Ramen Vocabulary<\/div>\n <p><strong>\u66ff\u3048\u7389 (kaedama)<\/strong> \u2014 extra noodles added to your remaining broth (Hakata custom). <strong>\u5927\u76db\u308a (\u014dmori)<\/strong> \u2014 large size. <strong>\u786c\u3081 (katame)<\/strong> \u2014 firm noodles. <strong>\u67d4\u3089\u304b\u3081 (yawarakame)<\/strong> \u2014 soft noodles. At a Hakata ramen shop, you’ll be asked how you want your noodles cooked. Now you know how to answer!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<h3>Related Noodle Dishes<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"food-list\">\n <li class=\"ramen\"><span class=\"jp-word\">\u3064\u3051\u9eba (tsukemen)<\/span> \u2014 dipping-style noodles served cold with hot dipping broth<\/li>\n <li class=\"ramen\"><span class=\"jp-word\">\u6cb9\u305d\u3070 (abura soba)<\/span> \u2014 noodles with sauce, no broth<\/li>\n <li class=\"ramen\"><span class=\"jp-word\">\u62c5\u3005\u9eba (tantanmen)<\/span> \u2014 spicy sesame noodles (Japanese take on dan dan mian)<\/li>\n <li class=\"ramen\"><span class=\"jp-word\">\u51b7\u3084\u3057\u4e2d\u83ef (hiyashi ch\u016bka)<\/span> \u2014 cold ramen with vegetables, summer specialty<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n\n<section id=\"tempura\">\n<h2>Tempura (\u5929\u3077\u3089) \u2014 Crispy Bite-Sized Words <span class=\"jp\">\u5929\u3077\u3089\u306e\u30dc\u30ad\u30e3\u30d6\u30e9\u30ea\u30fc<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p>Tempura is beautifully simple: fresh ingredients dipped in a light batter and quickly deep-fried until golden. Portuguese missionaries brought the technique to Japan in the 16th century, and it became one of Japan’s most refined culinary arts. Good news for learners \u2014 tempura vocabulary is one of the easiest categories to master.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Common Tempura Ingredients<\/h3>\n\n<p>The pattern is simple: <strong>ingredient name + \u306e\u5929\u3077\u3089 (no tempura)<\/strong>. So “shrimp tempura” is <span class=\"jp-word\">\u3048\u3073\u306e\u5929\u3077\u3089 (ebi no tempura)<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n<table class=\"vocab-table\">\n<thead><tr><th>Japanese<\/th><th>Romaji<\/th><th>English<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u3048\u3073<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">ebi<\/td><td>Shrimp \u2014 the tempura star<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u3044\u304b<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">ika<\/td><td>Squid<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u304d\u3059<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">kisu<\/td><td>Whiting fish<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u306a\u3059<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">nasu<\/td><td>Eggplant \/ aubergine<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u304b\u307c\u3061\u3083<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">kabocha<\/td><td>Japanese pumpkin<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u3055\u3064\u307e\u3044\u3082<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">satsumaimo<\/td><td>Sweet potato<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u3057\u3044\u305f\u3051<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">shiitake<\/td><td>Shiitake mushroom<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u30d4\u30fc\u30de\u30f3<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">p\u012bman<\/td><td>Green bell pepper<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u5927\u8449 \/ \u3057\u305d<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">\u014dba \/ shiso<\/td><td>Perilla leaf<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u308c\u3093\u3053\u3093<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">renkon<\/td><td>Lotus root<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<h3>Tempura Sauce and Sides<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"food-list\">\n <li class=\"tempura\"><span class=\"jp-word\">\u5929\u3064\u3086 (tentsuyu)<\/span> \u2014 the classic tempura dipping sauce (dashi + soy + mirin)<\/li>\n <li class=\"tempura\"><span class=\"jp-word\">\u5927\u6839\u304a\u308d\u3057 (daikon oroshi)<\/span> \u2014 grated white radish added to tentsuyu<\/li>\n <li class=\"tempura\"><span class=\"jp-word\">\u62b9\u8336\u5869 (matcha shio)<\/span> \u2014 matcha-flavored salt, used at upscale tempura restaurants<\/li>\n <li class=\"tempura\"><span class=\"jp-word\">\u30ec\u30e2\u30f3 (remon)<\/span> \u2014 a squeeze of lemon over shrimp tempura<\/li>\n <li class=\"tempura\"><span class=\"jp-word\">\u5929\u4e3c (tendon)<\/span> \u2014 tempura served over a rice bowl<\/li>\n <li class=\"tempura\"><span class=\"jp-word\">\u5929\u3077\u3089\u305d\u3070 (tempura soba)<\/span> \u2014 soba noodles topped with tempura<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<div class=\"tip-box\">\n <div class=\"tip-box-title\">Learning Shortcut<\/div>\n <p>Tempura ingredient names double as vegetable\/seafood vocabulary. When you learn “nasu no tempura,” you’ve also learned the word for eggplant \u2014 usable anywhere in Japanese cuisine. This is why food vocabulary is so efficient: every word works in multiple contexts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"affiliate-section\">\n <h3>\ud83c\udfaf Learn Japanese with Real Materials \u2014 Sponsor<\/h3>\n <p class=\"affiliate-disclosure\">The following is an affiliate advertisement. Clicking supports our free lessons.<\/p>\n <div class=\"affiliate-inner\">\n <a href=\"https:\/\/px.a8.net\/svt\/ejp?a8mat=44WT6S+EANSA+J42+NW4I9\" rel=\"nofollow\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" border=\"0\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www26.a8.net\/svt\/bgt?aid=250113988024&wid=012&eno=01&mid=s00000002477004013000&mc=1\"><\/a>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" border=\"0\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/www19.a8.net\/0.gif?a8mat=44WT6S+EANSA+J42+NW4I9\" alt=\"\">\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<section id=\"other-foods\">\n<h2>Other Must-Know Japanese Foods <span class=\"jp\">\u305d\u306e\u4ed6\u306e\u4ee3\u8868\u7684\u306a\u65e5\u672c\u98df<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p>Sushi, ramen, and tempura are just the beginning. Here are more classic Japanese dishes you’ll encounter \u2014 memorize these and you’ll be able to read at least 60% of any casual menu.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Noodles and Rice Dishes<\/h3>\n<table class=\"vocab-table\">\n<thead><tr><th>Japanese<\/th><th>Romaji<\/th><th>Description<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u3046\u3069\u3093<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">udon<\/td><td>Thick white wheat noodles<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u305d\u3070<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">soba<\/td><td>Buckwheat noodles, hot or cold<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u304a\u306b\u304e\u308a<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">onigiri<\/td><td>Rice ball (triangle or round) with filling<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u4e3c \/ \u3069\u3093\u3076\u308a<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">donburi<\/td><td>Rice bowl with toppings \u2014 the -don suffix (gyudon, katsudon, oyakodon)<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u304a\u8336\u6f2c\u3051<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">ochazuke<\/td><td>Rice with tea poured over it \u2014 Japanese comfort food<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u30ab\u30ec\u30fc\u30e9\u30a4\u30b9<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">kar\u0113 raisu<\/td><td>Japanese curry rice \u2014 thicker and sweeter than Indian curry<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<h3>Grilled, Fried, and Simmered<\/h3>\n<table class=\"vocab-table\">\n<thead><tr><th>Japanese<\/th><th>Romaji<\/th><th>Description<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u713c\u304d\u9ce5 \/ \u3084\u304d\u3068\u308a<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">yakitori<\/td><td>Grilled chicken skewers<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u713c\u8089<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">yakiniku<\/td><td>Japanese-style BBQ, grilled at the table<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u3068\u3093\u304b\u3064<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">tonkatsu<\/td><td>Breaded and fried pork cutlet<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u9903\u5b50 \/ \u304e\u3087\u3046\u3056<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">gy\u014dza<\/td><td>Pan-fried dumplings<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u304a\u597d\u307f\u713c\u304d<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">okonomiyaki<\/td><td>Savory Japanese pancake, Osaka specialty<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u305f\u3053\u713c\u304d<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">takoyaki<\/td><td>Octopus balls, Osaka street food<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u3059\u304d\u713c\u304d<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">sukiyaki<\/td><td>Sweet-savory hotpot with beef and vegetables<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u3057\u3083\u3076\u3057\u3083\u3076<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">shabu-shabu<\/td><td>Hotpot where you swish thin meat in broth<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u304a\u3067\u3093<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">oden<\/td><td>Winter stew with fish cakes, daikon, and egg<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/section>\n\n<section id=\"etiquette\">\n<h2>Dining Etiquette Phrases <span class=\"jp\">\u98df\u4e8b\u306e\u30de\u30ca\u30fc\u30fb\u3042\u3044\u3055\u3064<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p>Japanese meals are bookended by two important phrases. Learn these before anything else \u2014 using them correctly will earn you instant respect from Japanese hosts.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"phrase-card\">\n <div class=\"phrase-jp\">\u3044\u305f\u3060\u304d\u307e\u3059<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-romaji\">Itadakimasu<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-en\">Said <strong>before<\/strong> eating. Literally “I humbly receive” \u2014 expresses gratitude to the cook, the ingredients, and everyone involved in bringing the meal to the table. Never skip this one, even when eating alone.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"phrase-card\">\n <div class=\"phrase-jp\">\u3054\u3061\u305d\u3046\u3055\u307e\u3067\u3057\u305f<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-romaji\">Gochis\u014dsama deshita<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-en\">Said <strong>after<\/strong> eating. Roughly “thank you for the feast.” Use it at restaurants when leaving, at a friend’s home after dinner, and even to yourself after a solo meal.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"phrase-card\">\n <div class=\"phrase-jp\">\u304a\u3044\u3057\u3044\uff01<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-romaji\">Oishii!<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-en\">“Delicious!” The single most useful adjective in Japanese cuisine. Say it often and mean it \u2014 cooks love hearing this.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"callout\">\n <div class=\"callout-title\">Chopstick Etiquette to Know<\/div>\n <p>Never stick chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice (it resembles funeral incense). Don’t pass food chopstick-to-chopstick (also a funeral association). When resting your chopsticks, place them on the <span class=\"jp-word\">\u7bb8\u7f6e\u304d (hashi-oki)<\/span> \u2014 the little rest \u2014 or across your bowl.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<div class=\"youtube-embed\">\n <iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hL2UOwW18VA\" title=\"Japanese Food Vocabulary \u2014 Sushi, Ramen, Tempura with Maki\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen loading=\"lazy\"><\/iframe>\n <div class=\"embed-caption\">\ud83c\udfa5 Watch Maki pronounce each word \u2014 YouTube Shorts lesson (embedded above). Practice along and try to shadow her intonation for that natural Tokyo accent.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<section id=\"restaurant\">\n<h2>Restaurant Conversation Cheat Sheet <span class=\"jp\">\u30ec\u30b9\u30c8\u30e9\u30f3\u3067\u4f7f\u3048\u308b\u4f1a\u8a71\u30d5\u30ec\u30fc\u30ba<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p>Here are the phrases you’ll actually use from the moment you walk into a Japanese restaurant to when you pay the bill.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Entering and Being Seated<\/h3>\n\n<div class=\"phrase-card\">\n <div class=\"phrase-jp\">\u3044\u3089\u3063\u3057\u3083\u3044\u307e\u305b\uff01<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-romaji\">Irasshaimase!<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-en\">“Welcome!” \u2014 what the staff will shout as you enter. You don’t need to reply; a small nod is fine.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"phrase-card\">\n <div class=\"phrase-jp\">\u3007\u4eba\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-romaji\">\u3007 nin desu.<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-en\">“We’re \u3007 people.” Fill in the number: futari (2), sannin (3), yonin (4), gonin (5).<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h3>Ordering Food<\/h3>\n\n<div class=\"phrase-card\">\n <div class=\"phrase-jp\">\u3059\u307f\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3001\u6ce8\u6587\u304a\u9858\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-romaji\">Sumimasen, ch\u016bmon onegaishimasu.<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-en\">“Excuse me, I’d like to order.” Perfect opener at a table restaurant.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"phrase-card\">\n <div class=\"phrase-jp\">\u3007\u3007\u3092\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-romaji\">\u3007\u3007 wo kudasai.<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-en\">“\u3007\u3007, please.” The universal ordering formula. “Ramen wo kudasai” = “Ramen, please.”<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"phrase-card\">\n <div class=\"phrase-jp\">\u304a\u3059\u3059\u3081\u306f\u4f55\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-romaji\">Osusume wa nan desu ka?<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-en\">“What do you recommend?” The magic phrase \u2014 chefs love this question and will point you toward their best dish.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h3>During and After the Meal<\/h3>\n\n<div class=\"phrase-card\">\n <div class=\"phrase-jp\">\u304a\u6c34\u3092\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-romaji\">Omizu wo kudasai.<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-en\">“Water, please.” Tap water is free everywhere in Japan.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"phrase-card\">\n <div class=\"phrase-jp\">\u304a\u4f1a\u8a08\u304a\u9858\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-romaji\">Okaikei onegaishimasu.<\/div>\n <div class=\"phrase-en\">“Check please.” Or make an X shape with your index fingers \u2014 the universal Japanese “bill please” gesture.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"tip-box\">\n <div class=\"tip-box-title\">Tipping in Japan<\/div>\n <p>Don’t tip. Really \u2014 it’s considered impolite in most contexts and can cause confusion. Excellent service is expected as a professional standard, not an add-on. A sincere “gochis\u014dsama deshita” is the correct thank-you.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"useful-phrases\">\n<h2>“Delicious!” and Other Reactions <span class=\"jp\">\u611f\u60f3\u3092\u4f1d\u3048\u308b\u30d5\u30ec\u30fc\u30ba<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p>Once your food arrives, you’ll want to express how it makes you feel. Japanese has beautiful, specific words for taste and texture. Here are the most useful ones.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Taste Reactions<\/h3>\n<table class=\"vocab-table\">\n<thead><tr><th>Japanese<\/th><th>Romaji<\/th><th>Meaning<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u304a\u3044\u3057\u3044<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">oishii<\/td><td>Delicious (all-purpose)<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u3046\u307e\u3044<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">umai<\/td><td>Tasty (more casual\/masculine \u2014 use with friends)<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u6700\u9ad8\uff01<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">saik\u014d!<\/td><td>“The best!” \u2014 enthusiastic praise<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u7518\u3044<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">amai<\/td><td>Sweet<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u3057\u3087\u3063\u3071\u3044<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">shoppai<\/td><td>Salty<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u9178\u3063\u3071\u3044<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">suppai<\/td><td>Sour<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u8f9b\u3044<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">karai<\/td><td>Spicy<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u82e6\u3044<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">nigai<\/td><td>Bitter<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td class=\"kana\">\u3046\u307e\u5473<\/td><td class=\"romaji\">umami<\/td><td>The savory “fifth taste” \u2014 a Japanese-coined word<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<h3>Texture Words (Japan’s Superpower)<\/h3>\n<p>Japanese has an unusually rich vocabulary for describing texture \u2014 because in Japanese cuisine, texture is as important as flavor:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"food-list\">\n <li><span class=\"jp-word\">\u3082\u3061\u3082\u3061 (mochi-mochi)<\/span> \u2014 chewy, elastic (like mochi or good ramen noodles)<\/li>\n <li><span class=\"jp-word\">\u30b5\u30af\u30b5\u30af (saku-saku)<\/span> \u2014 crispy, crunchy (like tempura batter)<\/li>\n <li><span class=\"jp-word\">\u3075\u308f\u3075\u308f (fuwa-fuwa)<\/span> \u2014 fluffy, soft (like tamago sushi or cotton candy)<\/li>\n <li><span class=\"jp-word\">\u3068\u308d\u3068\u308d (toro-toro)<\/span> \u2014 melty, creamy (like a soft-boiled egg yolk)<\/li>\n <li><span class=\"jp-word\">\u3077\u308a\u3077\u308a (puri-puri)<\/span> \u2014 bouncy, firm (like fresh shrimp)<\/li>\n <li><span class=\"jp-word\">\u30b7\u30e3\u30ad\u30b7\u30e3\u30ad (shaki-shaki)<\/span> \u2014 crisp, refreshing (like fresh vegetables)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n\n<section id=\"food-culture\">\n<h2>Japanese Food Culture in Context <span class=\"jp\">\u65e5\u672c\u306e\u98df\u6587\u5316\u306b\u3064\u3044\u3066<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p>Understanding Japanese food goes beyond knowing what to call it. Here are three cultural principles that will change how you approach every meal in Japan.<\/p>\n\n<h3>1. Seasonality (\u65ec \u2014 shun)<\/h3>\n<p>Every ingredient in Japanese cuisine has its <span class=\"jp-word\">\u65ec (shun)<\/span> \u2014 the peak season when it’s at its best. Cherry blossom mochi in spring, unagi in summer, sanma (Pacific saury) in autumn, fugu in winter. Restaurants change their menus with the seasons, and mentioning that something is “shun no mono” (\u65ec\u306e\u3082\u306e \u2014 a seasonal thing) is a sophisticated way to praise it.<\/p>\n\n<h3>2. Presentation Matters<\/h3>\n<p>Japanese chefs believe you “eat with your eyes first” (\u76ee\u3067\u98df\u3079\u308b \u2014 me de taberu). Every plate is composed with care: color balance, negative space, seasonal garnishes. This is why sushi comes on specific plates, and why tempura is often served on rice paper \u2014 presentation is part of the meal.<\/p>\n\n<h3>3. The Concept of “Ichigo Ichie” (\u4e00\u671f\u4e00\u4f1a)<\/h3>\n<p>Especially at a sushi counter or kaiseki restaurant, chefs approach each meal with the philosophy of <span class=\"jp-word\">\u4e00\u671f\u4e00\u4f1a (ichigo ichie)<\/span> \u2014 “one lifetime, one meeting.” The idea is that this specific meal, with these specific ingredients on this specific day, will never happen again. It’s a beautiful mindset that turns dinner into meditation.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"callout\">\n <div class=\"callout-title\">Bonus Vocabulary<\/div>\n <p><strong>\u548c\u98df (washoku)<\/strong> \u2014 Japanese cuisine (UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2013). <strong>\u6d0b\u98df (y\u014dshoku)<\/strong> \u2014 “Western food” as adapted in Japan (like omurice and hamburg steak). <strong>\u4e2d\u83ef (ch\u016bka)<\/strong> \u2014 Chinese food, Japanese-style.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<section id=\"study-tips\">\n<h2>Maki’s Study Tips for Food Vocabulary <span class=\"jp\">\u52b9\u679c\u7684\u306a\u5b66\u7fd2\u6cd5<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p>After teaching Japanese for years, here’s what actually works for absorbing food vocabulary quickly.<\/p>\n\n<h3>1. Learn Words in Context, Not Alone<\/h3>\n<p>Don’t memorize “ebi” in isolation. Learn it inside a phrase: <span class=\"jp-word\">\u3048\u3073\u306e\u5929\u3077\u3089\u3092\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044 (ebi no tempura wo kudasai)<\/span>. Your brain remembers phrases better than isolated words because it stores them with a purpose.<\/p>\n\n<h3>2. Read a Real Japanese Menu Every Day<\/h3>\n<p>Even if you’re not in Japan, search online for a menu (Ichiran ramen or a conveyor sushi chain like Sushiro is a great start). Try to read three items per day. In a month, you’ll recognize most of the vocabulary in this article without effort.<\/p>\n\n<h3>3. Use Both Scripts<\/h3>\n<p>Japanese foods use hiragana, katakana, and kanji depending on origin. <span class=\"jp-word\">\u5bff\u53f8<\/span> in kanji, <span class=\"jp-word\">\u30e9\u30fc\u30e1\u30f3<\/span> in katakana (loanword), <span class=\"jp-word\">\u3066\u3093\u3077\u3089<\/span> or <span class=\"jp-word\">\u5929\u3077\u3089<\/span> either way. Practicing food words is one of the best ways to internalize when to use which script.<\/p>\n\n<h3>4. Watch Cooking Shows or YouTube Shorts<\/h3>\n<p>Search “Japanese ramen” on YouTube and you’ll find hundreds of shop tours in Japanese with subtitles. Your brain will connect words to visuals faster than any flashcard app can.<\/p>\n\n<h3>5. Cook It Yourself<\/h3>\n<p>The absolute fastest way to remember <span class=\"jp-word\">\u91a4\u6cb9 (sh\u014dyu)<\/span> and <span class=\"jp-word\">\u307f\u308a\u3093 (mirin)<\/span> is to use them in your own kitchen. Try making one Japanese dish per week \u2014 even instant ramen with proper toppings counts.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"tip-box\">\n <div class=\"tip-box-title\">The 7-Day Challenge<\/div>\n <p>Pick 7 food words from this article \u2014 just seven. Say each one out loud 10 times a day for a week. Photograph or draw the food to associate the sound with the image. After 7 days, they will feel like English to you. Repeat with the next 7 words next week.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"video-lesson\">\n<h2>Watch the Video Lesson <span class=\"jp\">\u52d5\u753b\u3067\u767a\u97f3\u3092\u78ba\u8a8d\u3057\u3088\u3046<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p>The best way to lock in food vocabulary is to hear it spoken by a native speaker. Watch the accompanying YouTube Shorts lesson embedded earlier and shadow the pronunciation \u2014 repeat each word right after I say it. That single technique will improve your accent faster than months of silent flashcard drilling.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"social-embed-note\">\n <div>\ud83d\udcf8 Follow the lesson series on Instagram<\/div>\n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/makiymamoto\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@makiymamoto \u2014 Making Japanese easy & beautiful \u2728<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"social-embed-note\">\n <div>\ud83c\udfac Watch the Instagram companion video<\/div>\n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DZkm1geNMPL\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Instagram Reel: Japanese food vocabulary in 60 seconds<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"social-embed-note\">\n <div>\ud83d\udcd8 Introduce yourself in Japanese \u2014 Facebook lesson<\/div>\n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/makiymamoto\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u65e5\u672c\u8a9e\u3067\u81ea\u5df1\u7d39\u4ecb\u3057\u3066\u307f\u3088\u3046\uff01 \u2014 Facebook page<\/a><br>\n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/reel\/1489090479206631\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\ud83c\udfa5 Facebook Reel companion video<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<div class=\"cta-box\">\n <h3>Learn Japanese with Maki \u2014 Personalized Support<\/h3>\n <p>Want structured lessons tailored to your level? I provide dedicated Japanese language learning support for students around the world. Get help with JLPT prep, conversation, business Japanese, or just food vocabulary that sticks!<\/p>\n <a href=\"https:\/\/ayucom.co.jp\/%e3%81%ab%e3%81%a1%e3%81%95%e3%81%bd\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Start Learning \u2192<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"affiliate-section\">\n <h3>\ud83d\udecd\ufe0f Maki’s Rakuten ROOM \u2014 Recommended Japanese Learning Goods<\/h3>\n <p class=\"affiliate-disclosure\">Curated picks from Rakuten. As an affiliate we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.<\/p>\n <p>Explore Japanese textbooks, character stationery, and study tools I personally recommend for language learners:<\/p>\n <p style=\"text-align:center;\">\n <a href=\"https:\/\/room.rakuten.co.jp\/room_c9be3dff9e\/items\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow sponsored noopener\" style=\"display:inline-block; background:var(--coral); color:white; padding:12px 28px; border-radius:30px; text-decoration:none; font-weight:700;\">\ud83d\uded2 Visit Maki’s Rakuten ROOM<\/a>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"affiliate-section\">\n <h3>\ud83c\udf81 Amazon Daily Deals \u2014 \u6bce\u65e5\u304a\u5f97\u306a\u30bf\u30a4\u30e0\u30bb\u30fc\u30eb<\/h3>\n <p class=\"affiliate-disclosure\">Amazon Associates affiliate link.<\/p>\n <p>Looking for Japanese textbooks, kitchen tools to try Japanese cooking at home, or a rice cooker? Amazon Japan’s daily flash sale is a great starting point:<\/p>\n <p style=\"text-align:center;\">\n <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4adCPw8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow sponsored noopener\" style=\"display:inline-block; background:#ff9900; color:white; padding:12px 28px; border-radius:30px; text-decoration:none; font-weight:700;\">\ud83d\udd25 See Today’s Amazon Deals<\/a>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"affiliate-section\">\n <h3>\ud83d\udcbb AI Tools I Personally Use for Content Creation<\/h3>\n <p class=\"affiliate-disclosure\">Referral links \u2014 I earn a small credit if you sign up. Thanks for supporting this blog!<\/p>\n <p><strong>Cursor AI<\/strong> \u2014 the AI code editor I use for writing and editing my lesson materials. Sign up with my referral for a free trial:<\/p>\n <p style=\"text-align:center; margin:16px 0;\">\n <a href=\"https:\/\/cursor.com\/referral?code=77FGR9JHH4QJ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow sponsored noopener\" style=\"display:inline-block; background:var(--soy); color:white; padding:10px 24px; border-radius:20px; text-decoration:none; font-weight:700;\">Try Cursor AI<\/a>\n <\/p>\n <p><strong>MusicCreator AI<\/strong> \u2014 I use this to create background music for my lesson videos. Invite code: <strong>8M1WEZ<\/strong><\/p>\n <p style=\"text-align:center; margin:16px 0;\">\n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.musiccreator.ai?invite_code=8M1WEZ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow sponsored noopener\" style=\"display:inline-block; background:var(--matcha-deep); color:white; padding:10px 24px; border-radius:20px; text-decoration:none; font-weight:700;\">Try MusicCreator AI<\/a>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"affiliate-section\">\n <h3>\ud83d\udecd\ufe0f \u697d\u5929\u306e\u4eba\u6c17\u5546\u54c1\u3092\u898b\u3066\u307f\u308b<\/h3>\n <p class=\"affiliate-disclosure\">Rakuten Affiliate widget below.<\/p>\n <script 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alt=\"[\u5546\u54c1\u4fa1\u683c\u306b\u95a2\u3057\u307e\u3057\u3066\u306f\u3001\u30ea\u30f3\u30af\u304c\u4f5c\u6210\u3055\u308c\u305f\u6642\u70b9\u3068\u73fe\u6642\u70b9\u3067\u60c5\u5831\u304c\u5909\u66f4\u3055\u308c\u3066\u3044\u308b\u5834\u5408\u304c\u3054\u3056\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002]\" title=\"[\u5546\u54c1\u4fa1\u683c\u306b\u95a2\u3057\u307e\u3057\u3066\u306f\u3001\u30ea\u30f3\u30af\u304c\u4f5c\u6210\u3055\u308c\u305f\u6642\u70b9\u3068\u73fe\u6642\u70b9\u3067\u60c5\u5831\u304c\u5909\u66f4\u3055\u308c\u3066\u3044\u308b\u5834\u5408\u304c\u3054\u3056\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002]\"><\/a><\/td><td style=\"vertical-align:top;width:248px;display: block;\"><p style=\"font-size:12px;line-height:1.4em;text-align:left;margin:0px;padding:2px 6px;word-wrap:break-word\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hb.afl.rakuten.co.jp\/ichiba\/552dd711.67147af4.552dd712.79392bd1\/?pc=https%3A%2F%2Fitem.rakuten.co.jp%2Fmiis%2Fmiis-we6%2F&link_type=picttext&ut=eyJwYWdlIjoiaXRlbSIsInR5cGUiOiJwaWN0dGV4dCIsInNpemUiOiIyNDB4MjQwIiwibmFtIjoxLCJuYW1wIjoicmlnaHQiLCJjb20iOjEsImNvbXAiOiJkb3duIiwicHJpY2UiOjEsImJvciI6MSwiY29sIjoxLCJiYnRuIjoxLCJwcm9kIjowLCJhbXAiOmZhbHNlfQ%3D%3D\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow sponsored noopener\" style=\"word-wrap:break-word;\">\u3010\u30a2\u30a6\u30c8\u30ec\u30c3\u30c8\u30bb\u30fc\u30eb\u54c1\u3011\u516c\u5f0f\u300a6\u304b\u6708\u96c6\u4e2d\u30bb\u30c3\u30c8\u300b MiiS \u30df\u30fc\u30ba \u30db\u30ef\u30a4\u30c8\u30cb\u30f3\u30b0\u30b8\u30a7\u30eb \u30db\u30ef\u30a4\u30c8\u30cb\u30f3\u30b0\u30b8\u30a7\u30eb \u6b6f\u306e\u7f8e\u5bb9\u6db2 \u6b6f\u78e8\u304d\u30b8\u30a7\u30eb \u30db\u30ef\u30a4\u30c8\u30cb\u30f3\u30b0 \u30b8\u30a7\u30eb \u866b\u6b6f\u4e88\u9632 \u81ea\u5b85 \u7c21\u5358 \u53e3\u81ed \u30aa\u30fc\u30e9\u30eb\u30b1\u30a2 \u6b6f\u78e8\u304d \u6b6f \u9ec4\u3070\u307f<\/a><br><span >\u4fa1\u683c\uff1a9,900\u5186\uff08\u7a0e\u8fbc\u3001\u9001\u6599\u5225)<\/span> <span style=\"color:#BBB\">(2026\/6\/24\u6642\u70b9)<\/span><\/p><div style=\"margin:10px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hb.afl.rakuten.co.jp\/ichiba\/552dd711.67147af4.552dd712.79392bd1\/?pc=https%3A%2F%2Fitem.rakuten.co.jp%2Fmiis%2Fmiis-we6%2F&link_type=picttext&ut=eyJwYWdlIjoiaXRlbSIsInR5cGUiOiJwaWN0dGV4dCIsInNpemUiOiIyNDB4MjQwIiwibmFtIjoxLCJuYW1wIjoicmlnaHQiLCJjb20iOjEsImNvbXAiOiJkb3duIiwicHJpY2UiOjEsImJvciI6MSwiY29sIjoxLCJiYnRuIjoxLCJwcm9kIjowLCJhbXAiOmZhbHNlfQ==\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow sponsored noopener\" style=\"word-wrap:break-word;\"><div style=\"float:right;width:41%;height:27px;background-color:#bf0000;color:#fff!important;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;line-height:27px;margin-left:1px;padding: 0 12px;border-radius:16px;cursor:pointer;text-align:center;\"> \u697d\u5929\u3067\u8cfc\u5165 <\/div><\/a><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/table><\/div><br><p style=\"color:#000000;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4em;margin:5px;word-wrap:break-word\"><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"link-series\">\n <h3>\ud83d\udcdd AI\u3060\u3051\u3067note\u53ce\u76ca\u5316\u306b\u6311\u6226\u4e2d\u3010\u5168\u8a18\u9332\u516c\u958b\u3011<\/h3>\n <p style=\"font-size:14px; color:var(--soy-soft); margin-bottom:14px;\">20\u5e74\u30a8\u30f3\u30b8\u30cb\u30a2\uff0625\u5e74\u7d4c\u55b6\u306e\u79c1\u304c\u3001AI\u3060\u3051\u3067note\u306e\u53ce\u76ca\u5316\u306b\u6311\u6226\u3059\u308b\u5b9f\u9332\u30b7\u30ea\u30fc\u30ba\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n <ul>\n <li><a href=\"https:\/\/note.com\/ripon1039\/n\/n0957ad76fc1a\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u307e\u305a\u306f\u3053\u3053\u304b\u3089\uff08\u6311\u6226\u5ba3\u8a00\u30fb\u7121\u6599\uff09<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"https:\/\/note.com\/ripon1039\/n\/nf264768e96aa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u7a3c\u3052\u308b\u30b8\u30e3\u30f3\u30eb\u306e\u9078\u3073\u65b9\uff08\u7121\u6599\uff09<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"https:\/\/note.com\/ripon1039\/n\/n3bde0bd23c74\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u3010\u5b9f\u9332\u3011\u516c\u958b1\u9031\u9593\u3001\u6709\u6599\u306e\u58f2\u4e0a\u306f0\u5186\u3067\u3057\u305f\uff08\u7121\u6599\uff09<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"https:\/\/note.com\/ripon1039\/n\/nff5145cf2d94\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">AI\u30671\u65e53\u672c\u91cf\u7523\u3059\u308b\u65b9\u6cd5\uff08\u5b9f\u30d7\u30ed\u30f3\u30d7\u30c8\u4ed8\u304d\uff09<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"https:\/\/note.com\/ripon1039\/n\/nb9856f8869f8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u58f2\u308c\u308b\u9ec4\u91d1\u30c6\u30f3\u30d7\u30ec\u30fc\u30c8\uff5c\u30b3\u30d4\u30da\u53ef<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"https:\/\/note.com\/ripon1039\/n\/n7b439477ad1c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u25bc\u4eca\u65e5\u306e\u8a18\u4e8b\u306f\u3053\u3061\u3089<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <p style=\"font-size:13px; color:var(--sesame); margin-top:12px;\">#AI #note #\u526f\u696d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"link-series\">\n <h3>\ud83d\udcdd AI\u3060\u3051\u3067Tips\u53ce\u76ca\u5316\u306b\u6311\u6226\u4e2d\u3010\u5168\u8a18\u9332\u516c\u958b\u3011<\/h3>\n <ul>\n <li><a href=\"https:\/\/tips.jp\/u\/ripon\/a\/Byoiugo6\/d\/dac\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u307e\u305a\u306f\u3053\u3053\u304b\u3089\uff08\u6311\u6226\u5ba3\u8a00\u30fb\u7121\u6599\uff09<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"https:\/\/tips.jp\/u\/ripon\/a\/VrLHYVyH\/d\/dac\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u7a3c\u3052\u308b\u30b8\u30e3\u30f3\u30eb\u306e\u9078\u3073\u65b9\uff08\u7121\u6599\uff09<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"https:\/\/tqv.jp\/s\/Q2FVIk\/d\/dac\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">AI\u30671\u65e53\u672c\u91cf\u7523\u3059\u308b\u65b9\u6cd5\uff08\u5b9f\u30d7\u30ed\u30f3\u30d7\u30c8\u4ed8\u304d\uff09<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"https:\/\/tips.jp\/u\/ripon\/a\/ru6BJja7\/d\/dac\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u58f2\u308c\u308b\u9ec4\u91d1\u30c6\u30f3\u30d7\u30ec\u30fc\u30c8\uff5c\u30b3\u30d4\u30da\u53ef<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"https:\/\/tips.jp\/u\/ripon\/a\/sgTlyfJP\/d\/dac\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u300e\u65e2\u8aad\u306e\u5411\u3053\u3046\u306b\u3001\u541b\u304c\u3044\u305f\u3002\u300f\u30b7\u30ea\u30fc\u30ba\u7d39\u4ecb<\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"https:\/\/tips.jp\/u\/ripon\/a\/jc0esUpP\/d\/dac\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u7b2c1\u8a71\u300c\u65e2\u8aad\u300d<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <p style=\"font-size:13px; color:var(--sesame); margin-top:12px;\">#AI #note #\u526f\u696d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<section id=\"faq\" class=\"faq-section\">\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions <span class=\"jp\">\u3088\u304f\u3042\u308b\u8cea\u554f<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<div class=\"faq-item\">\n <div class=\"faq-question\">\n <span>What does “itadakimasu” mean before eating?<\/span>\n <span class=\"faq-toggle\">+<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"faq-answer\">\n <p><span class=\"jp-word\">\u3044\u305f\u3060\u304d\u307e\u3059 (itadakimasu)<\/span> is said before every meal in Japan. It literally means “I humbly receive” and expresses gratitude to everyone involved in bringing the food to your plate \u2014 farmers, cooks, and even the ingredients themselves. It’s a cultural must, not optional politeness. Even eating alone, Japanese people say it.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"faq-item\">\n <div class=\"faq-question\">\n <span>How do I order sushi in Japanese at a restaurant?<\/span>\n <span class=\"faq-toggle\">+<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"faq-answer\">\n <p>Say the sushi name plus <span class=\"jp-word\">\u301c\u3092\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044 (wo kudasai)<\/span>. For example: <span class=\"jp-word\">\u307e\u3050\u308d\u3092\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044 (Maguro wo kudasai)<\/span> means “Tuna, please.” To ask for the recommendation, use <span class=\"jp-word\">\u304a\u3059\u3059\u3081\u306f\u4f55\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f(Osusume wa nan desu ka?)<\/span> \u2014 this phrase alone will make sushi chefs love you.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"faq-item\">\n <div class=\"faq-question\">\n <span>What are the main types of ramen in Japan?<\/span>\n <span class=\"faq-toggle\">+<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"faq-answer\">\n <p>The four classic ramen broths are <strong>shoyu (soy sauce)<\/strong>, <strong>miso (fermented soybean paste)<\/strong>, <strong>shio (salt)<\/strong>, and <strong>tonkotsu (pork bone)<\/strong>. Each region has its signature \u2014 Hakata is famous for tonkotsu, Sapporo for miso with butter and corn, Tokyo for shoyu with curly noodles, and Hakodate for delicate shio.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"faq-item\">\n <div class=\"faq-question\">\n <span>Is tempura difficult vocabulary for Japanese beginners?<\/span>\n <span class=\"faq-toggle\">+<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"faq-answer\">\n <p>No \u2014 tempura vocabulary is beginner-friendly. Most items are common ingredients you already know (ebi = shrimp, nasu = eggplant, kabocha = pumpkin). Just add <span class=\"jp-word\">\u301c\u306e\u5929\u3077\u3089 (no tempura)<\/span> to name each piece. Learning tempura vocabulary essentially teaches you the words for Japan’s most common vegetables and seafood in one go.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"faq-item\">\n <div class=\"faq-question\">\n <span>Should I learn food vocabulary in hiragana or katakana?<\/span>\n <span class=\"faq-toggle\">+<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"faq-answer\">\n <p>Both. Native Japanese foods (sushi, tempura, udon, soba) are usually written in <strong>hiragana or kanji<\/strong>, while imported or loanword foods (ramen, curry, hamburger, pasta) are written in <strong>katakana<\/strong>. Learning both scripts unlocks the whole menu. This is one of the best reasons to learn katakana thoroughly \u2014 most menus mix all three scripts.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"faq-item\">\n <div class=\"faq-question\">\n <span>Why is ramen written in katakana even though it’s Japanese?<\/span>\n <span class=\"faq-toggle\">+<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"faq-answer\">\n <p>Great question! Ramen originated as a Chinese dish (l\u0101mi\u00e0n \u62c9\u9eba), and even though it has evolved into a distinctly Japanese food, it’s still classified as a loanword. Japanese uses katakana for foreign-origin words even when they’ve been thoroughly Japanized. You’ll occasionally see \u62c9\u9eba or \u4e2d\u83ef\u305d\u3070, but \u30e9\u30fc\u30e1\u30f3 is by far the most common spelling.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"faq-item\">\n <div class=\"faq-question\">\n <span>What’s the difference between “oishii” and “umai”?<\/span>\n <span class=\"faq-toggle\">+<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"faq-answer\">\n <p>Both mean “delicious,” but the register is different. <span class=\"jp-word\">\u304a\u3044\u3057\u3044 (oishii)<\/span> is the polite, all-purpose word \u2014 safe with anyone, anywhere. <span class=\"jp-word\">\u3046\u307e\u3044 (umai)<\/span> is more casual and traditionally masculine \u2014 use it with close friends, at izakaya with buddies, or when watching sports. In a formal setting, always default to “oishii.”<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"faq-item\">\n <div class=\"faq-question\">\n <span>How much food vocabulary should I know for JLPT N5?<\/span>\n <span class=\"faq-toggle\">+<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"faq-answer\">\n <p>For JLPT N5, aim to know 25\u201340 food-related words including basics like <span class=\"jp-word\">\u3054\u98ef (rice\/meal)<\/span>, <span class=\"jp-word\">\u304a\u8336 (tea)<\/span>, <span class=\"jp-word\">\u6c34 (water)<\/span>, <span class=\"jp-word\">\u8089 (meat)<\/span>, <span class=\"jp-word\">\u9b5a (fish)<\/span>, and <span class=\"jp-word\">\u91ce\u83dc (vegetables)<\/span>, plus core verbs like <span class=\"jp-word\">\u98df\u3079\u308b (to eat)<\/span> and <span class=\"jp-word\">\u98f2\u3080 (to drink)<\/span>. The vocabulary in this article covers roughly two-thirds of the JLPT N5 food category and extends into N4 territory.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/section>\n\n<section id=\"conclusion\">\n<h2>Conclusion <span class=\"jp\">\u307e\u3068\u3081<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Congratulations \u2014 you’ve just learned enough Japanese food vocabulary to walk into any restaurant in Tokyo with confidence. You now know the words for sushi types, ramen broths, tempura ingredients, the essential ordering phrases, and the cultural context that gives Japanese cuisine its soul.<\/p>\n<p>The next step is practice. Watch the video lesson above, try ordering out loud, and if you’re not in Japan yet, cook something Japanese this week. The vocabulary in this article will feel like a second language by month’s end.<\/p>\n<p>Remember: <span class=\"jp-word\">\u304a\u3044\u3057\u3044 (oishii)<\/span> is the most powerful word in Japanese. Use it often, and you’ll make friends everywhere you eat.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align:center; margin-top:30px; font-size:20px; font-family: 'Klee One', serif; color:var(--coral-deep); font-weight:600;\">\n See you in the next lesson! \ud83c\udf63<br>\n \u307e\u305f\u6765\u9031\u306e\u30ec\u30c3\u30b9\u30f3\u3067\u304a\u4f1a\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3057\u3087\u3046\uff01\n<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n<\/main>\n\n<aside class=\"sidebar\">\n <div class=\"sidebar-card profile\">\n <div class=\"profile-avatar\">\ud83d\uddfc<\/div>\n <div class=\"profile-name\">Maki Yamamoto<\/div>\n <div class=\"profile-jp\">\u5c71\u672c \u307e\u304d<\/div>\n <div class=\"profile-bio\">\n Japanese teacher based in Tokyo. Making Japanese easy & beautiful \u2728 Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for daily lessons.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sidebar-card\">\n <div class=\"sidebar-title\">\ud83c\udf5c Quick Jump<\/div>\n <div class=\"sidebar-links\">\n <a href=\"#sushi\">\u5bff\u53f8 \u2014 Sushi<\/a>\n <a href=\"#ramen\">\u30e9\u30fc\u30e1\u30f3 \u2014 Ramen<\/a>\n <a href=\"#tempura\">\u5929\u3077\u3089 \u2014 Tempura<\/a>\n <a href=\"#etiquette\">Etiquette<\/a>\n <a href=\"#restaurant\">Restaurant Phrases<\/a>\n <a href=\"#study-tips\">Study Tips<\/a>\n <a href=\"#faq\">FAQ<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sidebar-card\">\n <div class=\"sidebar-title\">\ud83d\udcda Follow Maki<\/div>\n <div class=\"sidebar-links\">\n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/makiymamoto\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\ud83d\udcf8 Instagram @makiymamoto<\/a>\n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/makiymamoto\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\ud83d\udcd8 Facebook Page<\/a>\n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/shorts\/hL2UOwW18VA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\ud83c\udfa5 YouTube Shorts<\/a>\n <a href=\"https:\/\/ayucom.co.jp\/%e3%81%ab%e3%81%a1%e3%81%95%e3%81%bd\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\ud83c\udf93 \u306b\u3061\u3055\u307d \u2014 Lesson Support<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sidebar-card\">\n <div class=\"sidebar-title\">\u2728 Key Takeaway<\/div>\n <p style=\"font-size:14px; color:var(--soy-soft); line-height:1.65;\">\n Food vocabulary is the fastest bridge into real Japanese conversation. Master these 100+ words and you’ll unlock menus, small talk, and cultural moments across all of Japan.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/aside>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<footer class=\"site-footer\">\n <div class=\"footer-inner\">\n <div class=\"footer-grid\">\n <div class=\"footer-col\">\n <h4>Japanese with Maki<\/h4>\n <p>Weekly Japanese lessons from Tokyo. Grammar, vocabulary, culture, and conversation practice for learners at every level.<\/p>\n <p>\u00a9 2026 AYUCOM CO LTD. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"footer-col\">\n <h4>Lessons<\/h4>\n <a href=\"https:\/\/ayucom.co.jp\/category\/japanese-with-maki\/\">All Lessons<\/a>\n <a href=\"#sushi\">Sushi Vocabulary<\/a>\n <a href=\"#ramen\">Ramen Vocabulary<\/a>\n <a href=\"#tempura\">Tempura Vocabulary<\/a>\n <a href=\"https:\/\/ayucom.co.jp\/%e3%81%ab%e3%81%a1%e3%81%95%e3%81%bd\/\">Get Learning Support<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"footer-col\">\n <h4>Connect<\/h4>\n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/makiymamoto\/\">Instagram<\/a>\n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/makiymamoto\/\">Facebook<\/a>\n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/shorts\/hL2UOwW18VA\">YouTube<\/a>\n <a href=\"https:\/\/room.rakuten.co.jp\/room_c9be3dff9e\/items\">Rakuten ROOM<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"footer-disclaimer\">\n <p><strong>Affiliate Disclosure:<\/strong> This site participates in various affiliate programs including Amazon Associates, Rakuten Affiliate, and A8.net. 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