When you eat in Japan, you’ll often hear people describe flavors with words that don’t have a simple English translation. Instead of just saying “sweet” or “salty,” Japanese people express subtle feelings and textures in food. Let’s explore some of the most common food-related words that can help you sound more natural when talking about Japanese dishes!

🍬 甘辛い（あまからい）

Meaning: Sweet and salty/spicy at the same time
Example: すき焼やきは甘辛あまからい味あじです。

Sukiyaki has a sweet-and-salty flavor.

This word combines 甘あまい (sweet) and 辛からい (salty/spicy) — a common flavor balance in Japanese cooking, like in teriyaki sauce or grilled eel (うなぎのたれ).

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🌿 さっぱり

Meaning: Light, refreshing, not greasy
Example: このサラダはさっぱりしていて夏なつにぴったりです。

This salad is refreshing and perfect for summer.

Used for dishes that feel clean and easy to eat — like cold tofu, citrus dressings, or vinegar-based dishes.

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🍜 こってり

Meaning: Rich, heavy, oily
Example: こってりしたラーメンが食たべたい！

I want to eat rich ramen!

The opposite of さっぱり. Think of creamy tonkotsu ramen, deep-fried foods, or rich miso-based dishes.

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🌰 香ばしい（こうばしい）

Meaning: Fragrant, toasty, appetizing aroma
Example: 焼やきたてのパンの香こうばしいにおいがします。

It smells like freshly baked bread — so fragrant!

Used when something has been grilled, roasted, or toasted, giving off a pleasant smell. You’ll hear it often for grilled rice balls (焼きおにぎり) or roasted sesame (ごま).

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🌶 ピリ辛（ぴりから）

Meaning: Slightly spicy, not too hot
Example: ピリ辛からのチキンが好すきです。

I like mildly spicy chicken.

It describes a little kick of spice — enough to feel it, but not too strong.

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🧂 塩辛い（しおからい）

Meaning: Salty (strong salt flavor)
Example: このスープはちょっと塩辛しおからいです。

This soup is a bit too salty.

A useful word when you want to say something has too much salt — but not necessarily bad!

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🍋 酸っぱい（すっぱい）

Meaning: Sour
Example: このみかんは酸すっぱいですね。

This mandarin is sour!

Used for vinegar-based dishes (like 酢の物) or citrus fruits.

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🍫 苦い（にがい）

Meaning: Bitter
Example: 抹茶まっちゃは少すこし苦にがいけど、おいしいです。

Matcha is a little bitter, but tasty.

You’ll often use this for coffee, dark chocolate, and matcha.

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🍶 あっさり

Meaning: Simple, mild, not strong
Example: あっさりしたスープが好すきです。

I like mild soups.

Similar to さっぱり, but focuses more on flavor strength than the “refreshing” feeling.

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🍢 濃い（こい）・薄い（うすい）

Meaning: Strong / Weak in flavor
Example:
この味噌汁みそしるは少すこし濃こいです。→ This miso soup is a bit strong.
この味あじは薄うすいですね。→ This flavor is weak / light.

Used to talk about how strong the seasoning tastes.

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✨まとめ (Summary)

Word	Meaning	Example Dish
甘辛(あまから)い	sweet and salty	すき焼(や)き
さっぱり	refreshing, light	サラダ、冷奴(ひややっこ)
こってり	rich, heavy	とんこつラーメン
香(こう)ばしい	fragrant, toasty	焼(や)きおにぎり
ピリ辛(から)	slightly spicy	麻婆豆腐 (マーボーどうふ)
塩辛(しおから)い	salty	味噌汁(みそしる)
酸(す)っぱい	sour	酢(す)
苦(にが)い	bitter	抹茶(まっちゃ)
あっさり	mild, simple	スープ
濃(こ)い・薄(うす)い	strong / weak	味噌汁(みそしる)、煮物(にもの)

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🍽️ Try Using These Words!

Next time you eat Japanese food, try describing it like a native:

夏なつはさっぱりした料理りょうりがいい！

このラーメン、こってりしてるね！

このお茶ちゃ、ちょっと苦にがいけどおいしい！

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