(しょっかん)

しょっかん
noun
texture (of food); mouthfeel
1. texture of food; mouthfeel; how food feels when eating
The tactile sensations experienced when eating food, including crunchiness, chewiness, smoothness, etc.
このクッキーは食感(しょっかん)がサクサクしている。
These cookies have a crispy texture.
食感(しょっかん)(たの)しむために(なま)()べる。
I eat it raw to enjoy the texture.
もちもちした食感(しょっかん)特徴(とくちょう)です。
Its characteristic is the chewy, springy texture.

WORD FORMATION:
(しょく) (eating, food) + (かん) (feeling, sensation) → sensation of eating

COMMON TEXTURE WORDS:

  • サクサク (crispy, crunchy - dry foods)
  • カリカリ (crunchy, crisp - fried foods)
  • もちもち (chewy, springy - rice, mochi)
  • ふわふわ (fluffy, soft - bread, cakes)
  • とろとろ (melty, creamy)
  • しっとり (moist)
  • プリプリ (bouncy, firm - shrimp, seafood)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 舌触(したざわ)り (how food feels on the tongue)
  • 歯応(はごた)え (chewiness, resistance when biting)
  • 食感(しょっかん) - general term for all mouthfeel sensations

USAGE NOTE:
食感(しょっかん) is commonly used in food reviews, cooking shows, and restaurant descriptions. Japanese cuisine places high value on varied textures.