Translation guide
A small, round ball of ground meat, often cooked in sauce or soup. In Japanese cuisine, the most common type is 'tsukune', but Western-style meatballs are also known.
A ground chicken or meat ball, often skewered and grilled with a sweet soy glaze (yakitori style), or simmered in broth.
The most common Japanese meatball, typically made from ground chicken or pork, shaped into balls or patties, and grilled on skewers with a sweet soy sauce glaze. Often served at yakitori restaurants.
Italian-American style meatballs in tomato sauce, Swedish meatballs, or other Western variations.
Large, often deep-fried or braised meatballs, such as lion's head meatballs.
つくね is specifically Japanese-style grilled ground chicken/meat on skewers. 肉団子 is a general term for any meatball, including Chinese and Western styles. ミートボール is a loanword for Western-style meatballs in tomato sauce or similar. Use つくね for yakitori, 肉団子 for hot pot or Chinese dishes, and ミートボール for Italian or Swedish meatballs.
Tsukune is often served with a raw egg yolk for dipping (tsukimi style). You can ask for 'tsukimi tsukune' if you want it with egg.
焼き鳥屋でつくねを注文した。
I ordered tsukune at the yakitori restaurant.
このつくねはタレがよく絡んで美味しい。
These tsukune are delicious with the sauce coating them well.
Literally 'meat dumpling'. A broader term for any meatball, including Chinese-style or simmered meatballs. Often used in hot pot dishes or soups.
鍋に肉団子を入れて煮込む。
I put meatballs into the hot pot and simmer them.
A type of fish or meat paste ball, often added to soups or hot pots. The texture is softer and more paste-like than tsukune. Usually made from ground fish or chicken.
つみれ汁は寒い日にぴったりだ。
Fish ball soup is perfect for a cold day.
The direct loanword for Western-style meatballs, typically served with tomato sauce or gravy. Common in family restaurants and Western cuisine contexts.
ミートボールスパゲッティが食べたい。
I want to eat spaghetti and meatballs.
スウェーデン風ミートボールはクリームソースで煮込む。
Swedish-style meatballs are simmered in cream sauce.
Can also refer to Western-style meatballs, but less specific. Use when the context is clear or when describing the concept generally.
トマトソースの肉団子は子供に人気だ。
Meatballs in tomato sauce are popular with kids.
The standard term for Chinese-style meatballs, often large and served in a savory sauce or soup.
中華料理の肉団子は大きくて食べ応えがある。
Chinese-style meatballs are big and satisfying.
Specifically 'lion's head meatball', a famous Chinese dish of oversized pork meatballs braised with vegetables. Known in Japan as a Chinese specialty.
獅子頭は上海料理の名物だ。
Lion's head meatballs are a specialty of Shanghai cuisine.