焼(や)き芋(いも)

やきいも
noun
roasted sweet potato
food
1. roasted sweet potato
A sweet potato that has been slowly roasted, traditionally sold by street vendors in autumn and winter. A beloved Japanese comfort food.
焼(や)き芋(いも)がおいしい季節(きせつ)だ。
It's the season when roasted sweet potatoes are delicious.
焼(や)き芋(いも)屋(や)さんの声(こえ)が聞(き)こえてきた。
I could hear the voice of the roasted sweet potato vendor.
寒(さむ)い日(ひ)にホクホクの焼(や)き芋(いも)を食(た)べると幸(しあわ)せな気持(きも)ちになる。
Eating a fluffy roasted sweet potato on a cold day makes you feel happy.

Cultural note

Traditionally sold from trucks or carts that drive through neighborhoods in autumn and winter, with the vendor calling out 「石焼(いしや)き芋(いも)〜」in a distinctive sing-song voice. The potatoes are slowly roasted over hot stones (石焼(いしや)き), which gives them a caramelized sweetness. Modern convenience stores and supermarkets also sell machine-roasted versions.

Common collocations

  • 石焼(いしや)き芋(いも) (stone-roasted sweet potato)
  • 焼(や)き芋(いも)屋(や) (roasted sweet potato vendor)
  • ホクホクの焼(や)き芋(いも) (fluffy roasted sweet potato)