口くち直なおし

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb

removing a bad taste; cleansing one's palate

Refers to the act of refreshing the mouth after something unpleasant or between dishes. Often used in the pattern 口直しをする or 口直しに.

• 濃こいコーヒーのあとで、水みずで口くち直なおしをした。

  After the strong coffee, I cleansed my palate with water.

• 口くち直なおしに、さっぱりした酢すの物ものを食たべる。

  I eat a light vinegared dish to refresh my mouth.

noun

palate cleanser; intermezzo

A dish or drink served between courses to reset the taste buds. Also used figuratively for a short, refreshing break in a sequence.

• フルコースでは、魚さかな料りょう理りのあとに口くち直なおしのシャーベットが出でる。

  In a full-course meal, a sorbet is served as a palate cleanser after the fish dish.