Translation guide
In Japanese, 'Western food' can refer to authentic Western cuisine or to a distinct Japanese adaptation known as yōshoku. The most common and neutral term is 洋食 (yōshoku), but context determines whether it means Western-style food in general or the specific Japanese-Western fusion cuisine.
Referring to food from Western countries, such as European or American cuisine, in a broad sense.
The standard term for Western food. Can mean both authentic Western cuisine and Japanese-style Western food (yōshoku). Often used in restaurant names or menus.
I want to eat Western food tonight.
This restaurant serves Western food.
Literally 'Western cuisine'. More formal and explicitly refers to authentic Western cooking, not Japanese adaptations. Used in formal contexts or when distinguishing from yōshoku.
He is a chef of Western cuisine.
Means 'European-style cuisine'. Less common, often used to emphasize a European (especially French or Italian) influence. Can be seen in restaurant names.
That restaurant prides itself on European-style cuisine.
Referring specifically to the Japanese adaptation of Western dishes, such as omurice, hamburg steak, or curry rice, which are considered a distinct category.
In many contexts, 洋食 refers to this Japanese-Western fusion cuisine. It is a beloved category in Japan, distinct from washoku (Japanese food) and authentic Western food.
I ate omurice at a yōshoku restaurant.
Contrasting Western food with Japanese food (washoku) in a binary choice or comparison.
A common phrase meaning 'Western food or Japanese food?'. Used when deciding what to eat.
I can't decide between Western food and Japanese food for lunch.
Means 'a person who prefers Western food'. Often used in contrast with 和食派 (washoku-ha, Japanese food person).
I'm more of a Western food person, if I had to say.
洋食 (yōshoku) is the everyday word for Western food and often includes Japanese adaptations like omurice. 西洋料理 (seiyō ryōri) is more formal and refers to authentic Western cuisine. If you want to be clear you mean authentic Western food, use 西洋料理.
a restaurant serving authentic Western cuisine
When suggesting a meal, you can simply say 洋食にしない？ (How about Western food?). It's a natural way to propose a type of cuisine without specifying a dish.
A classic yōshoku dish is hamburg steak.