ほくほく

adverb, noun or participle which takes 'suru', noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'

soft and flaky; fluffy; crumbly; fresh-baked

Describes the texture of food that is soft, crumbly, and often warm, like freshly baked sweet potatoes, pie crust, or squash. Often implies a pleasant, steaming quality.

• 焼やきたてのパイはほくほくしていて美味おいしい。

  The freshly baked pie is soft and flaky and delicious.

• このさつまいもはほくほくで甘あまい。

  This sweet potato is fluffy and sweet.

adverb, noun or participle which takes 'suru'

pleased with oneself; beaming happily; chuckling to oneself

Describes a person's happy, self-satisfied expression or feeling, often from a small success or good fortune. Used with verbs like する or 笑う.

• 彼かれは宝たからくじに当あたってほくほくしている。

  He is beaming happily after winning the lottery.

• テストで満まん点てんを取とって、ほくほく顔がおで帰かえってきた。

  He came home with a self-satisfied look after getting a perfect score on the test.