Even though Japanese has its own native words for many vegetables, some common vegetables you’ll come across are written in katakana. In this post, I’ve made a list of the 20 most common vegetable names you’ll see written in katakana when you’re in Japan.
There are more katakana fruit than vegetables, but you’ll still see lots of these katakana vegetables in Japan!
How do I read katakana? #
If you can’t read katakana yet, you can learn in one week with the Tabikana app! Download the Tabikana app for free on the App Store and Google Play .
Katakana Fruit Names #
Asparagus
アスパラガス
ℹ️ Sometimes shortened to just アスパラ
Avocado
アボカド
ℹ️ Technically a fruit, but always used like a vegetable!
Broccoli
ブロコリ
Cabbage
キャベツ
Cauliflower
カリフラワー
Celery
セロリ
Chilli
チリ
ℹ️ Also sometimes seen as the longer チリペッパー
Garlic
ガーリック
ℹ️ There is already a native word for garlic (ninniku), but ガーリック is common when describing the flavour
Kale
ケール
Lettuce
レタス
Mushroom
マッシュルーム
ℹ️ Specifically refers to button mushrooms - other types of mushroom have native Japanese names
Onion
オニオン
ℹ️ There is already a native word for onion (tamanegi), but オニオン is often used for onion flavour
Okra
オクラ
Parsnip
パースニップ
Pepper (Green)
ピーマン
ℹ️ Usually a green bell pepper
Pepper (Red)
パプリカ
ℹ️ Usually for sweeter bell peppers like red and orange
Pumpkin
パンプキン
ℹ️ There is also a native word for Japanese green pumpkins (kabocha), but パンプキン is common for orange pumpkins
Potato
ポテト
ℹ️ There is also a native word for potato (jagaimo), but ポテト is increasingly common
Sweetcorn
スイートコーン
ℹ️ Often shortened to just コーン
Zucchini
ズッキーニ
ℹ️ Also known as a courgette