蒸かす

• Reading: ふかす
• Romaji: fukasu
• Kanji breakdown: 蒸 (fu/mu) — steam, evaporate (灬 = fire radical)
• Pronunciation: /ɸɯ.ka.sɯ/

Meaning

To steam food. A cooking method using hot steam to cook ingredients.

A Group 1 (godan) verb specifically for steaming food. While 蒸す (むす) is the more commonly seen literary form, 蒸かす is used particularly for steaming starchy foods like sweet potatoes and potatoes. Steaming preserves nutrients and natural flavors, making it a valued cooking technique in Japanese cuisine.

Examples

1. さつまいもを蒸かしておやつにしました。 I steamed sweet potatoes and had them as a snack.
2. じゃがいもを蒸かしてサラダを作ります。 I steam potatoes to make salad.
3. せいろで野菜を蒸かすとヘルシーです。 Steaming vegetables in a bamboo steamer is healthy.

Usage Guide

Context: cooking, recipes, food preparation

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From the kanji 蒸 (steam, evaporate), which combines 丞 (to help) and 灬 (fire). The かす suffix indicates a causative nuance — causing something to be steamed.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal