コク

A key word in Japanese food culture with no single English equivalent. コク refers to the overall richness and depth of flavor — a combination of umami, fat, sweetness, and complexity that makes food taste satisfying. Often written in katakana.

Usage

Most commonly used with ある/ない: コクがある (rich/full-bodied) vs コクがない (lacking depth). Also used with 出(で)る (to come out): コクが出(で)る (richness develops).

Common collocations

• コクがある: to have richness/body
• コクが出(で)る: for richness to develop
• コクのある味(あじ): a rich-flavored taste
• コクと旨味(うまみ): richness and umami
• コク深(ぶか)い: deeply rich (often used for coffee, chocolate)

Similar words

• 旨味(うまみ): umami — the savory taste itself, one component of コク
• 濃厚(のうこう): rich, thick — describes concentration or thickness of flavor
• 深(ふか)み: depth — more general, can apply to flavor but also other contexts