- Dishes - 普通の料理 (ふつうのりょうり, Futsū no ryōri)
- Common Fruits – 果物 (くだもの, Kudamono)
- Seafood – 海産物 (かいさんぶつ, Kaisanbutsu)
- Common Drinks – 飲み物 (のみもの, Nomimono)
- Snacks and Sweets – お菓子 (おかし, Okashi)
If you're a food enthusiast or planning to travel to Japan, understanding Japanese food vocabulary is essential. Knowing the names of popular foods, fruits, and seafood will make your dining experience more enjoyable. In this guide, we’ll cover basic Japanese food vocabulary that will help you navigate Japanese menus, supermarkets, and food markets.
Dishes - 普通の料理 (ふつうのりょうり, Futsū no ryōri)
| English | Japanese (Kanji) | Romaji |
| Burger | ハンバーガー | はんばーがー (Hanbāgā) |
| Pizza | ピザ | ぴざ (Piza) |
| Hot Dog | ホットドッグ | ほっとどっぐ (Hottodoggu) |
| French Fries | フライドポテト | ふらいどぽてと (Furaido poteto) |
| Fried Chicken | フライドチキン | ふらいどちきん (Furaido chikin) |
| Macaroni and Cheese | マカロニとチーズ | まかろにとちーず (Makaronī to chīzu) |
| Sandwich | サンドイッチ | さんどいっち (Sandoicchi) |
| Salad | サラダ | さらだ (Sarada) |
| Steak | ステーキ | すてーき (Sutēki) |
| Pancake | パンケーキ | ぱんけーき (Pankēki) |
| Waffle | ワッフル | ぱんけーき (Pankēki) |
| Bagel | ベーグル | べーぐる (Bēguru) |
| Ice Cream | アイスクリーム | あいすくりーむ (Aisu kurīmu) |
| Cheeseburger | チーズバーガー | ちーずばーがー (Chīzubāgā) |
Common Fruits – 果物 (くだもの, Kudamono)
Japanese cuisine incorporates a variety of delicious fruits. Here are some common fruits you'll encounter in Japan:
Example Sentences:
-
私はりんごが好きです。 (Watashi wa ringo ga suki desu.)
→ I like apples. - メロンを食べました。 (Meron o tabemashita.)
→ I ate a melon.
Seafood – 海産物 (かいさんぶつ, Kaisanbutsu)
Seafood is a staple in Japanese cuisine, with dishes like sushi, sashimi, and tempura being globally popular. Here are some seafood vocabulary words that you can learn while discovering Japanese food vocabulary:
| English | Japanese (Kanji) | Romaji |
| Fish | 魚 | さかな (Sakana) |
| Shrimp | エビ | えび (Ebi) |
| Crab | 蟹 | かに (Kani) |
| Squid | イカ | いか (Ika) |
| Octopus | タコ | たこ (Tako) |
| Salmon | 鮭 | さけ (Sake) |
| Tuna | マグロ | まぐろ (Maguro) |
Example Sentences:
-
私は寿司が大好きです。特にサーモン寿司が好きです。 (Watashi wa sushi ga daisuki desu. Tokuni sāmon sushi ga suki desu.)
→ I love sushi, especially salmon sushi. - イカを揚げたものが好きです。 (Ika o ageta mono ga suki desu.)
→ I like fried squid.
Common Drinks – 飲み物 (のみもの, Nomimono)
Japanese beverages range from traditional teas to modern soft drinks. Here are some common drinks in Japanese:
| English | Japanese (Kanji) | Romaji |
| Tea | お茶 | おちゃ (Ocha) |
| Coffee | コーヒー | こーひー (Kōhī) |
| Beer | ビール | びーる (Bīru) |
| Sake | 酒 | さけ (Sake) |
| Juice | ジュース | じゅーす (Jūsu) |
| Water | 水 | みず (Mizu) |
Example Sentences:
-
お茶を飲みますか？ (Ocha o nomimasu ka?)
→ Would you like some tea? - ビールを一杯ください。 (Bīru o ippai kudasai.)
→ Please give me a glass of beer.
Snacks and Sweets – お菓子 (おかし, Okashi)
Japanese snacks and sweets are famous for their unique flavors and presentation. Here are some popular snacks and sweets vocabulary:
| English | Japanese (Kanji) | Romaji |
| Cake | ケーキ | けーき (Kēki) |
| Chocolate | チョコレート | ちょこれーと (Chokorēto) |
| Cookie | クッキー | くっきー (Kukkī) |
| Ice cream | アイスクリーム | あいすくりーむ (Aisu kurīmu) |
| Mochi | 餅 | もち (Mochi) |
| Pudding | プリン | ぷりん (Purin) |
Example Sentences:
-
ケーキを食べたいです。 (Kēki o tabetai desu.)
→ I want to eat cake. - モチが好きです。 (Mochi ga suki desu.)
→ I like mochi.
Whether you're enjoying a meal at a Japanese restaurant or shopping at a local market, knowing Japanese food vocabulary is incredibly useful. From fruits and seafood to popular dishes and drinks, understanding these terms will enrich your food experience in Japan.
🔗 Learn More:
