へら

へら is a flat utensil used for mixing, stirring, flipping, and scraping in cooking. The shape and material vary by purpose.

COMMON TYPES:

• 木(き)べら / 木(き)のへら: wooden spatula (for stir-frying)
• ゴムべら: rubber/silicone spatula (for scraping bowls)
• フライ返(がえ)し: metal turner (for flipping)

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

• へらで混(ま)ぜる: to mix with a spatula
• へらで返(かえ)す: to flip with a spatula
• へらで切(き)るように混(ま)ぜる: to fold (cut and fold motion)

WRITING:
Usually written in hiragana. The kanji 篦(へら) exists but is rarely used.

NOTE:
In お好(この)み焼(や)き restaurants, the flat metal spatulas used to cook and eat are also called へら or コテ.