B級グルメ

• 読み: ビーきゅうグルメ
• ローマ字: bīkyū gurume
• 漢字の分解: B級 (B-grade/B-class) + グルメ (gourmet, from French) → B-grade gourmet food
• 発音: /biː.kjuː ɡu.ɾu.me/

意味

Cheap but delicious local street food and casual fare — unpretentious, affordable comfort food celebrated for flavor over presentation.

The 'B-grade' in B級グルメ is worn as a badge of honor rather than an insult. It celebrates food that prioritizes taste and value over fancy presentation or expensive ingredients. Think yakisoba, takoyaki, gyoza, and local noodle dishes. The B-1 Grand Prix, an annual competition for the best B級グルメ, draws massive crowds and has become a cultural event that drives regional tourism.

例文

1. B級グルメの大会で食べ歩きしてきた。
2. 高級料理よりB級グルメのほうが好きかも。
3. この焼きそば、B級グルメの王道って感じ。

使い方ガイド

場面: food festivals, travel, food discussion

トーン: appreciative, down-to-earth

正しい言い方

• B級グルメ巡りが最高の週末の過ごし方。 (B-grade gourmet touring is the best way to spend a weekend.)
• この店のB級グルメ感がたまらない。 (The B-grade gourmet vibe of this place is irresistible.)

避ける言い方

• 店主に「B級グルメですよね」は場合によっては失礼 (Calling a restaurant owner's food 'B-grade' to their face can be rude depending on context)

よくある間違い

• Thinking B級 is an insult — in the context of food, B級グルメ is a positive, affectionate category celebrating value and taste

起源と歴史

Combines B級 (B-grade/B-class) with グルメ (gourmet). Popularized in the 2000s, especially through the B-1 Grand Prix competition (first held in 2006) that celebrates affordable local dishes.

文化的背景

時代: 2000s, B-1 Grand Prix launched in 2006

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal

地域メモ: Used across all of Japan. The B-1 Grand Prix is a major national event that spotlights regional affordable cuisine.