It’s generally mentioned that the Japanese language wields extra food-describing onomatopoeia than another. These adjectives seize the perceived sounds completely different meals make once we eat them. Saku saku! Fuwa fuwa! In keeping with estimates, there are 445 such phrases within the Japanese language.
“English has solely barely greater than 130 phrases to explain the best way meals really feel in our mouths,” reports Kendra Pierre-Louis in In style Science‘s exploration of meals texture in its newest subject themed round style. She notes that, within the English language, “most—like crackle, crack, crisp, crunch, and snap—check with the feeling of biting into one thing agency. You’d be hard-pressed to search out somebody describing a scrumptious meal as going squish or splat.”
It goes with out saying that each one cultures worth their meals traditions, however I’d enterprise to supply the (maybe biased) opinion that Japan’s focus borders on obsession. Japanese tv channels from Asahi to NHK ceaselessly broadcast a stream of exhibits that includes eating places, aggressive consuming, and regional dishes. Meals corporations consistently innovate merchandise like beer cans that foam upon opening (that famously offered out within two days) and a potato chip for every season and every region (Okinawan citrus!). For a rustic that emphasizes meals a lot, it is just pure that there’s a vocabulary to match.
A better vary of descriptors permits for better nuance and specificity in description. In spite of everything, textures fluctuate broadly throughout meals. And although a lettuce leaf and a kettle chip would possibly each be described as crunchy, their mouthfeels differ significantly.
It could be a herculean effort to checklist the entire Japanese onomatopoeia describing meals textures, however we are able to begin with a tour of our kitchens to establish among the most typical ones. And let’s not overlook that lots of the most scrumptious dishes typically tackle a number of (suppose brownies, with their crackly high, chewy corners, and fudgy interiors). Right here’s a take a look at some wide-ranging textural sensations.
Saku saku
The field of Walkers Shortbread that is perhaps in your kitchen pantry is saku saku. Saku saku denotes a crispiness that can be wealthy (with out being moist). Shortbread, tempura, and kettle chips are saku saku, however a celery salad is unquestionably not. For a similar cause, flaky palmiers and croissants are additionally saku saku.
Use it in a sentence: Don’t overwork the dough if you would like your cookies to end up saku saku.
Shaki shaki
In direct distinction to the richness that defines saku saku meals, shaki shaki meals are refreshing and healthful. The entire crunchy contemporary greens in your kitchen are shaki shaki. Assume the juicy crispness of an Asian pear, or the satisfying chew of a inexperienced apple.
Use it in a sentence: Let’s order the shaki shaki cabbage salad.
Kari kari
Kari kari is a really particular crispness describing meals that has been dried or baked in order that the fat have rendered—or meals which were crisped in fats. Kari kari is used typically to explain the brittle crispiness of roasted rooster pores and skin, or slices of fried American bacon.
Use it in a sentence: The bacon has been frying for thus lengthy that it’s turned kari kari.
Pari pari
This refers to a lightweight and delicate crunch, like that of sembei, or Japanese rice crackers. If we’re speaking potato chips, suppose traditional Lay’s or Pringles, fairly than the kettle chip selection. The crackle of the thinnest outer layer of a spring roll can be pari pari.
Use it in a sentence: These chips are so gentle and pari pari—good for including some crunch to a salad!
Fuwa fuwa
That is the sound used to convey ethereal fluffiness. Think about tender and pillowy meals, like pancakes , marshmallows, and chiffon cake. When carried out proper, the eggs in your fridge could be reworked into a lightweight and jiggly fuwa fuwa omelet.
Use it in a sentence: For probably the most fuwa fuwa pancakes, beat the batter briskly to include air.
Mochi mochi
This refers to meals which might be dense and chewy. Bubble tea pearls, the tendon in your bowl of pho, and (after all) mochi are all thought of mochi mochi.
Use it in a sentence: The chewiness of mitarashi dango’s mochi mochi texture makes them enjoyable to eat.
Toro toro
Wealthy, melting dishes are toro toro. Many comforting meals fall into this class: a gooey chocolate lava cake, a quivering macaroni and cheese, or a slow-braised slice of pork stomach. Takoyaki, diced octopus enveloped in savory wheat flour-based batter, is one other toro toro dish.
Use it in a sentence: These quick ribs are so toro toro that they soften in your mouth.
Neba neba
A beloved texture in Japanese kitchens, neba neba meals are viscous—a lot in order that they will kind threads between the dish and your utensil. Natto (fermented soybeans) is maybe probably the most well-known, however okra and nagaimo (also referred to as Chinese language yam) are additionally neba neba.
Use it in a sentence: Combining neba neba meals like wakame and natto is so refreshing within the summertime.
The nuances of those adjectives seize multitudes. Take them with you the following time you’re considering between a shaki shaki apple or a fuwa fuwa slice of cake.
