1.
an iron pot or pan — cookware made of cast iron or wrought iron, valued for even heat retention and durability
Refers to any cooking pot or pan made of iron. Often used in Japanese cooking for dishes that benefit from high heat or long simmering, such as すき{焼き} or 餃子. Also commonly seen at restaurants as a serving vessel that keeps food hot at the table.
鉄鍋で料理する。
I cook in an iron pan.
鉄鍋は熱がよく伝わる。
Iron pots conduct heat well.
祖母から譲り受けた鉄鍋を今でも使っている。
I still use the iron pot I inherited from my grandmother.
この店の餃子は熱々の鉄鍋ごと運ばれてくる。
At this restaurant, the gyoza are brought out sizzling hot in the iron pan itself.
Compound of 鉄 ("iron") + 鍋 ("pot, pan"). Refers to cookware made of iron — including skillets, Dutch-oven-style pots, and the Chinese-style shallow pans used for 餃子.
USAGE:
- The same object can also be called a 鉄製の鍋 ("iron-made pot") in more formal writing.
- At restaurants, the phrase 鉄鍋ごと means "pan and all" — the dish is served in the hot pan itself.
- Iron pans require seasoning and careful maintenance; this is often discussed with the verb 育てる ("to raise/season") or 手入れする ("to maintain").
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 鉄鍋で焼く: to cook (sear, fry) in an iron pan
- 鉄鍋料理: iron-pan cuisine
- 鉄鍋餃子: gyoza served in an iron pan
- 鉄鍋を育てる: to season/break in an iron pan
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 鍋: general word for pot or pan — any material.
- 土鍋: earthenware pot — used for hot pot dishes like 鍋物.
- 中華鍋: wok — a Chinese-style iron pan.
- フライパン: frying pan — usually implies a modern pan with a handle, often non-stick.