Japanese onomatopoeic words tend to receive a fair amount of coverage in the media, but there are so many that mastering them is a chore. Below, are some of my favourite food related ones, and some rough translations. If you have any suggestions or other interesting ideas, let me know!

Sappari shita / Assari shita – Refreshing, simple, clean-tasting; food where the taste of the natural ingredients shines through. A kind of taste that, here in the west, we think of as exemplified by Japanese food, perhaps especially the simplicity of sushi or sashimi.

Gorogoro shita – heavy, oily food – the kind that rolls around in your stomach a bit.

Shiko shiko – chewy, especially noodles

Tsubu tsubu – grains or lumps eg. orange juice with bits

Koto koto – simmering eg. vegetables in a pan

Kori kori – crunchy eg. pickles or radishes

Kari kari – crisp, eg. toast

Pari pari – crisp or crusty eg. bread