Translation guide
In Japanese, the way you describe boiled or stewed food depends on the cooking method, the liquid used, and the resulting dish. This guide covers common terms for simmered, boiled, and stewed foods, from everyday home cooking to specific hot pot dishes.
Food that has been gently simmered in a seasoned broth, often as a side dish or part of a meal.
A broad term for simmered dishes, where ingredients are cooked in a seasoned broth until the flavors are absorbed. Common in home cooking.
今日の煮物は大根と鶏肉です。
Today's simmered dish is daikon radish and chicken.
Simmered food, often fish or vegetables, cooked in a sweet and savory soy-based broth until the liquid is reduced.
サバの煮付けが大好きです。
I love simmered mackerel.
A dish where different ingredients are simmered separately but served together, often in a formal kaiseki meal.
炊き合わせには、旬の野菜が使われています。
Seasonal vegetables are used in the takiawase.
Food that is simply boiled in water, often without strong seasoning, like boiled vegetables or eggs.
Food that has been boiled in plain water, such as boiled vegetables, pasta, or eggs. Not typically a dish on its own but an ingredient or simple preparation.
ほうれん草の茹で物にごまをかけた。
I put sesame on boiled spinach.
A phrase meaning 'boiled [something]'. Use this to describe a specific boiled ingredient.
茹でたじゃがいもをつぶしてください。
Please mash the boiled potatoes.
A thick, hearty stew with meat and vegetables, often associated with Western cuisine.
A loanword from English 'stew', referring to Western-style stews like beef stew or cream stew. Very common in Japanese home cooking.
寒い日はシチューが食べたい。
On a cold day, I want to eat stew.
A dish that has been stewed for a long time, often with a rich, thick sauce. Can refer to both Japanese and Western-style stews.
A communal dish where ingredients are cooked in a pot of broth at the table, often shared among several people.
General term for hot pot dishes, where various ingredients are simmered in a pot and eaten with dipping sauces.
冬は鍋料理が一番です。
In winter, hot pot is the best.
A casual, everyday term for hot pot. The prefix 'o' adds politeness.
A dish where ingredients are boiled in a flavorful broth and served together with the liquid, like a soup.
A general term for soupy dishes, including miso soup and clear soups. The food is cooked in the broth and served with it.
汁物は味噌汁にしますか？
Shall we have miso soup for the soup dish?
A clear, delicate soup often served in formal Japanese meals. Ingredients are simmered in a light broth.
煮物 (nimono) is simmered in a seasoned broth, while 茹で物 (yudemono) is boiled in plain water. If you say 茹で物, it usually implies no seasoning during cooking, just plain boiling.
Simply saying 'ボイルドフード' is not natural. Use the appropriate Japanese term based on cooking method and context.
The stewed beef tendon is tender and delicious.
Let's have hot pot tonight.
吸い物には蛤が入っていました。
The clear soup had clams in it.