Ume vs. Sumomo: Japanese Plums
When it comes to Japanese plums, what comes to many people’s minds would be Ume (梅) or Sumomo (スモモ). As you may know, the original home of both is China. Sumomo has the English...
Category: Trivia
What is Tokuho in Japanese Drinks and Food Products?
Until now, I introduced several Tokuho products, including Iyemon Tokucha green tea and these cola drinks. Not only beverages but foods can also be Tokuho, whose example includes this konjac jelly. But in the first...
Karaage vs. Fried Chicken: What’s the Difference?
When we Japanese think of fried chicken, the first thing that comes to many people’s minds would be Karaage or KFC’s fried chicken. But what is Karaage? Further, how does it differ from Western-style...
Maki: Meanings of Temaki and Uramaki
Maki (巻/巻き), as previously mentioned in this article, is the term for “roll” or “wind” in English, seen in many Japanese words, including Temaki (手巻き) and Uramaki (裏巻き). Temaki and Uramaki are technical terms...
Meaning: Suman vs. Sumanu vs. Sumanai vs. Sumimasen
As I wrote about how Gomenasai, Sumimasen, and Suimasen (all meaning I’m sorry in Japanese) differ in this post, this time, let’s spot the difference between Sumimasen (すみません), Sumanai (すまない), Sumanu (すまぬ), and Suman...
Satoimo vs. Taro vs. Yam (Yamaimo)
While Taro or 太郎 in Japanese is a common name for males in Japan, the one in English refers to a tropical plant grown for its edible corms in Asian cultures. According to the article...
What are Maki, Hosomaki, and Futomaki?
Makimono, Uzumaki, Makizushi, Nori Maki, Hosomaki, Futomaki, and more, many words in the Japanese language include the word Maki (巻/巻き). Makimono (巻物), literally meaning rolled thing, usually refers to a scroll, while Uzumaki (渦巻き)...
Mizkan Ajipon vs. Ponzu Sauce: What’s the Difference?
Ajipon (味ぽん) is a citrus seasoned soy sauce from Mizkan that’s become a kitchen staple in many households in Japan. The product debuted in 1964 under the name of Mizkan Ponzu Ajitsuke (味つけ), and...
