Japanese Has a Word for Eating Yourself Bankrupt (And 3 Others You'll Never Forget)
You already know itadakimasu. You already know oishii.
However, the Japanese language has a whole other layer of food expressions (specific, funny, and uncomfortably relatable) that most people have never even heard of.
Therefore, here are four of our absolute favourites.
😲 1. ほっぺたが落ちそう — Hoppeta ga ochisou
“My cheeks are about to fall off.”
This expression perfectly applies when something is so delicious you can barely hold your face together.
In short, it’s not just good. It’s not just tasty. It is so incredibly good that your cheeks apparently give up and start falling.
Ultimately, it is playful, it is dramatic, and it is exactly right. Because sometimes, the word “delicious” just doesn’t cover it. The Japanese have always had a beautiful way of putting words to the exact feelings the rest of us simply can’t explain.
💸 2. 食い倒れ — Kuidaore
“To eat yourself into ruin.”
Osaka has a famous saying: kuidaore — to spend so extravagantly on food that you go completely broke.
Surprisingly, it is not a warning. It is almost a badge of honour. Since people widely know Osaka as Japan’s kitchen, the city’s food culture remains central to its identity. Consequently, locals frequently joke about spending every last yen on a good meal before worrying about anything else.
Basically, kuidaore is what happens when the love of food wins over absolutely everything else. And honestly? We understand completely.
🙅 3. 食わず嫌い — Kuwazu girai
“Hating something you’ve never even tried.”
Literally translated as “dislike without eating,” kuwazu girai describes the very human habit of deciding you don’t like something before you have ever put it in your mouth.
Sound familiar?
In fact, it is the exact reason why so many people say they don’t like plant-based food before they have even tried it. It is the reason natto has a bad reputation outside Japan. Ultimately, it is the reason why people write off anything unfamiliar before giving it a proper chance.
Japan has had a specific word for this for centuries. Perhaps it is time to challenge a few of your own kuwazu girai. 🌿
🛍️ 4. 大人買い — Otonagai
“Buying like an adult.”
For instance, as a child, you probably wanted the whole box of something. A full set of stickers, every single flavour, the entire collection… But you couldn’t, simply because you were a child with no money.
Conversely, Otonagai represents the exact moment you finally can. You buy the whole thing. All of it. At once. Why? Because you are an adult now and nobody can stop you.
Essentially, it is a word about the small, ridiculous joys of growing up. And it is one of the most universally understood feelings in the world, even if most languages don’t have a name for it.
The Beauty of the Japanese Language
In conclusion, the Japanese language is full of these brilliant moments! Words that make you stop and think: “Yes, that’s exactly it.”
If you loved this one, there’s plenty more waiting for you on the blog! 🌿
And of course, come find us on Instagram for more Japanese culture, amazing food, and good vibes 👉 @izakaya_midori
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