10 Japanese Food Words | Essential Vocabulary from Sushi to Rice Bowls
We have compiled 10 essential food words you will frequently encounter at restaurants and izakayas during your trip to Japan.
You can learn vocabulary that forms the foundation of Japanese food culture, from familiar dishes like sushi, tempura, and rice bowls to dashi (broth) and pickled side dishes.
Consisting of N3-level nouns, these words are highly useful not only in real-life situations but also in JLPT reading comprehension passages.
How this bundle was curated
All items at a glance
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 寿司 | すし | Sushi |
| 刺身 | さしみ | Sashimi (Raw fish) |
| 天ぷら | てんぷら | Tempura (Deep-fried dish) |
| 味噌汁 | みそしる | Miso soup |
| 焼き鳥 | やきとり | Yakitori (Grilled chicken skewers) |
| 丼 | どんぶり | Rice bowl dish |
| 出汁 | だし | Dashi (Broth/Stock) |
| おにぎり | おにぎり | Onigiri (Rice ball) |
| 漬物 | つけもの | Tsukemono (Pickles) |
| 煮物 | にもの | Nimono (Simmered dish) |
Item by item
Reading: すし
Sushi
A representative Japanese dish consisting primarily of raw fish served on vinegared rice. It is often referred to politely as 'お寿司 (おすし)'.
Reading: さしみ
Sashimi (Raw fish)
A dish of fresh raw fish or seafood sliced thinly, typically eaten by dipping in soy sauce and wasabi.
Reading: てんぷら
Tempura (Deep-fried dish)
A dish of seafood or vegetables coated in batter and deep-fried. It is also often served alongside udon or soba noodles.
Reading: みそしる
Miso soup
A soup made by dissolving Japanese soybean paste (miso) in broth, forming a staple of Japanese home cooking. Various ingredients like tofu, seaweed, and green onions are often added.
Reading: やきとり
Yakitori (Grilled chicken skewers)
Bite-sized pieces of chicken skewered and grilled, usually over a charcoal fire. It is a highly popular staple menu item at izakayas.
Reading: どんぶり
Rice bowl dish
A dish consisting of a large bowl of rice topped with meat, tempura, or other ingredients. When combined with other words, it is often shortened to 'どん (don)' (e.g., 牛丼 - gyudon).
Reading: だし
Dashi (Broth/Stock)
A broth made from bonito flakes, kelp, etc., which is the key element providing umami in Japanese cuisine.
Reading: おにぎり
Onigiri (Rice ball)
A food made by lightly salting rice, filling it with ingredients like pickled plum or salmon, shaping it, and wrapping it in seaweed. It is popular as a quick and convenient meal.
Reading: つけもの
Tsukemono (Pickles)
A side dish made by pickling vegetables in salt, miso, or soy sauce to increase their shelf life. It is often served as a palate cleanser during meals.
Reading: にもの
Nimono (Simmered dish)
A dish made by simmering vegetables, meat, or fish in soy sauce, sugar, and dashi broth until the flavors are fully absorbed.
Practice with examples
How to decide when unsure
- '丼 (どんぶり)' refers to the dish itself, but it is also used to indicate the large, deep bowl it is served in. When combined with other ingredients, it is often pronounced 'どん (don)' (e.g., 天丼 - tendon, 牛丼 - gyudon).
- '出汁 (だし)' refers to the broth that serves as the base of a dish, and its nuance differs from the Western-style 'スープ (soup)' or the drinkable '汁 (shiru/soup)'. It is primarily used to describe the stock that provides the umami flavor in traditional Japanese cuisine.
Common mistakes
Just like 'sashimi' and 'sushi' in English, these two words are clearly distinguished in Japanese. Sliced raw fish served without rice is '刺身 (さしみ)', while fish served over vinegared rice is '寿司 (すし)'. Be careful not to confuse them when ordering at a restaurant.
Mini quiz
Which of the following words means 'rice bowl dish', where meat, tempura, or other ingredients are served over rice?
One-line summary
Mastering these 10 foundational Japanese culinary words will be a great help when reading restaurant menus and understanding Japanese food culture.
FAQ
Do おにぎり (onigiri) and おむすび (omusubi) mean the same thing?
Yes, basically they both mean 'rice ball' and refer to the same dish. The name used just varies depending on the region, convenience store brand, or family habits, so using either is generally natural.
How should 出汁 (だし) be pronounced?
Following standard kanji readings, you might expect it to be pronounced 'でじる (dejiru)', but this word has a special, exceptional reading (jukujikun) and is pronounced 'だし (dashi)'. Since it is an essential cooking term, it is best to memorize it as a whole.
