Jul 6, 2026
Textures and onomatopoeic sounds for summer
I saw this poster yesterday in the mall and it sums up the summer season textures eateries promote at this time of year: hiya~, bari~, mochi~ and shuwa. This post shares a quick explanation of these onomatopoeic sound effects that are frequently used for summer food and drink.
There’s "hiya-" ひやっ, that quick, refreshing chill when you take your first sip of something icy. Then "pari-" パリッ, the crisp snap of a chocolate shell or a perfectly toasted wafer. "Mochi-" もちっ brings a soft, stretchy and long chew. And finally "Shuwa" しゅわ, the fizzy, sparkly or effervescent sensation and sound of carbonated drinks.
An invitation to enjoy a cold sip, a crispy bite, a chewy pause or a sparkling surprise this summer!

Former nickname was "Saitama". Changed it to save confusion on place review posts! Irish, 20+ years in Japan! I also write on my personal website: insaitama.com
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