#japanese
Found 34 words matching this tag.
zori
(ZOH-ree)
Casual rubber footwear; flip-flops or slippers (commonly referred to as slippahs in Hawaii).
unko
(UHN-koh)
An older man; a term of respect used for any male elder, regardless of blood relation.
shoyu
(SHOW-yoo)
Soy sauce; a staple condiment in Hawaii used in cooking, marinades, and as a dipping sauce.
saimin
(sigh-MIN)
A local Hawaiian noodle soup dish developed during the plantation era, consisting of soft wheat egg noodles in a hot dashi broth, typically garnished with green onions, kamaboko (fish cake), char siu, and SPAM.
obake
(oh-BAH-keh)
A ghost, spirit, or supernatural apparition, originally from Japanese folklore but widely used in Hawaii to describe any spooky entity.
nori
(NOH-ree)
Dried edible seaweed, typically pressed into thin sheets and used for wrapping musubi, sushi, or eating as a snack.
musubi
(moo-SOO-bee)
A Japanese-style rice ball, typically formed into a triangle or oval and wrapped in nori (seaweed).
mempachi eye
(mem-PAH-chee-EYE)
A glassy, unfocused, or bulging stare, often resulting from exhaustion, intoxication, or confusion.
katsu
(KAHT-soo)
Perfect, victorious, or winning; a state of complete success or readiness.
katonk
(kah-TONK)
A person of mainland Asian descent, particularly a Japanese American from the continental United States.
jan ken po
(jahn-ken-POH)
The game of rock, paper, scissors, used to settle disputes or make decisions.
hanabada
(hah-nah-BAH-dah)
Mucus, snot, or boogers. A portmanteau of the Japanese word 'hana' (nose) and the English/Pidgin word 'bata' (butter).
chawan cut
(chah-WAHN-cut)
A bowl haircut; a poorly executed, perfectly round haircut resembling an overturned rice bowl.
bento
(BEN-toh)
A single-portion takeout or home-packed meal, typically consisting of rice, a main protein, and side dishes packed in a box.
bachi
(BAH-chee)
Bad luck, bad karma, or a negative consequence; the concept that what goes around, comes around.