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๐Ÿฃ Japanese Food Cheat Sheet

Japanese WordEnglish MeaningNotes
ใ”ใฏใ‚“ (Gohan)Rice / Meal"Gohan" can mean just rice or a whole meal.
ใฟใš (Mizu)WaterAsking for water: "Mizu onegaishimasu"
ใŠใกใ‚ƒ (Ocha)Tea (usually green)
ใซใ (Niku)MeatBeef, chicken, pork = see below
ใŽใ‚…ใ†ใซใ (Gyuuniku)Beef"Gyu" = cow
ใจใ‚Šใซใ (Toriniku)Chicken"Tori" = bird
ใถใŸใซใ (Butaniku)Pork"Buta" = pig
ใ•ใ‹ใช (Sakana)Fish
ใ™ใ— (Sushi)Vinegared rice + raw fish
ใ•ใ—ใฟ (Sashimi)Sliced raw fish (no rice)
ใ‚‰ใƒผใ‚ใ‚“ (Ramen)Noodle soup
ใ†ใฉใ‚“ (Udon)Thick wheat noodles
ใใฐ (Soba)Buckwheat noodlesOften served cold or hot.
ใฆใ‚“ใทใ‚‰ (Tempura)Fried seafood/vegetablesLight, crispy batter.
ใ‚„ใใจใ‚Š (Yakitori)Grilled chicken skewers
ใŸใ“ใ‚„ใ (Takoyaki)Fried octopus ballsStreet food favorite.
ใŠใ“ใฎใฟใ‚„ใ (Okonomiyaki)Savory pancakeCabbage, meat, seafood inside.
ในใ‚“ใจใ† (Bento)Boxed meal
ใชใฃใจ (Natto)Fermented soybeansVery strong smell/taste!
ใฟใใ—ใ‚‹ (Miso Shiru)Miso soup
ใ‹ใ‚‰ใ‚ใ’ (Karaage)Fried chickenJuicy and crispy!
ใŽใ‚‡ใ†ใ– (Gyoza)DumplingsPan-fried.
ใ‹ใ‚Œใƒผ (Karee)Japanese curryHeavier and sweeter than Indian curry.
ใ‚ใพใ„ (Amai)Sweet
ใ‹ใ‚‰ใ„ (Karai)Spicy
ใ—ใŠ (Shio)Salt
ใ—ใ‚‡ใ†ใ‚† (Shouyu)Soy sauce

๐Ÿ›Ž Useful Phrases

  • ใ€œใ‚’ใใ ใ•ใ„ (~ wo kudasai) = Please give me ~
    Ex: Rฤmen wo kudasai โ†’ "Ramen, please."

  • ใŠใ„ใ—ใ„๏ผ (Oishii!) = Delicious!

  • ใŠใ™ใ™ใ‚ใฏ๏ผŸ (Osusume wa?) = What's your recommendation?

  • ใ“ใ‚Œใใ ใ•ใ„ (Kore kudasai) = Iโ€™ll take this (pointing at menu).