Translation guide
The most common and natural way to say something is tasty in Japanese is おいしい (oishii). There are also more casual, formal, or nuanced expressions depending on the situation.
Expressing that food or drink tastes good in everyday conversation.
The standard, all-purpose word for 'tasty' or 'delicious'. Used by all ages and in most situations.
このラーメン、おいしい！
This ramen is tasty!
おいしい料理をありがとう。
Thank you for the tasty meal.
A more casual, often masculine way to say 'tasty'. Commonly used among friends. Can sound rough if used in polite settings.
この寿司、うまいな！
This sushi is so tasty!
A more formal or literary term for 'delicious', often used in written descriptions or on menus. Pronounced びみ.
この店は美味な料理で知られている。
This restaurant is known for its tasty cuisine.
Expressing that food is tasty in a more polite or formal context, such as when speaking to superiors or in business settings.
The polite form of おいしい. Use this when speaking politely.
このケーキはとてもおいしいです。
This cake is very tasty.
An extremely polite, almost archaic form. Rarely used except in very formal traditional settings like tea ceremonies.
お茶がおいしゅうございます。
The tea is delicious.
Adding emphasis to show that something is extremely tasty.
Simply add とても (very) before おいしい.
このパスタ、とてもおいしい！
This pasta is really tasty!
A very casual, emphatic way to say 'super tasty'. めちゃくちゃ means 'extremely'.
このラーメン、めちゃくちゃおいしい！
This ramen is crazy tasty!
Means 'the best tasting' or 'incredibly delicious'. 最高 (さいこう) means 'the best'.
このチョコレート、最高においしい！
This chocolate is the tastiest!
Going beyond general 'tasty' to describe why something tastes good, such as being flavorful or having a rich taste.
Means 'flavorful' or 'rich in flavor'. Used to describe food with a deep, satisfying taste.
このスープは風味豊かでおいしい。
This soup is flavorful and tasty.
Literally 'has body/richness', used for foods with a deep, satisfying richness like ramen broth or curry.
このカレーはコクがあっておいしい。
This curry is rich and tasty.
Short, informal expressions used when tasting something delicious, often said spontaneously.
A clipped, very casual form of うまい. Often used by younger people or in very informal settings.
うまっ！これ、何？
So tasty! What is this?
A drawn-out, cute or emphatic way of saying おいしい, often used by women or in casual social media posts.
おいし〜！このケーキ大好き！
So tasty! I love this cake!
While うまい is common among friends, it can sound too rough or masculine in formal settings or when speaking to superiors. Stick with おいしい or おいしいです.
To say something was tasty, use the past tense: おいしかった (casual) or おいしかったです (polite).
昨日のパスタ、おいしかった。
Yesterday's pasta was tasty.