![[Rice Songs] A selection of tracks where food appears in the lyrics!](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/E8lUx37nC5I/maxresdefault.webp)
There are songs created around all sorts of themes—love, life, youth—but in fact, there are also plenty that focus on food.
And even within “food,” the approaches vary widely: from humorous tracks that simply sing about a favorite dish, to moving pieces that portray both personal stories and emotions tied to food.
In this article, we’ve gathered songs whose lyrics feature food.
As you read the lyrics, take your time listening—and try uncovering the hidden “underlying themes” tucked beneath the surface theme of “food.”
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[Rice Songs] A selection of tracks featuring food in the lyrics! (1–10)
Melancholy KitchenYonezu Kenshi
A heartwarming ballad that weaves connections with people and cherished memories around the dining table.
Memories of someone precious are told through food, set to a bittersweet and beautiful melody.
This is a song by Kenshi Yonezu included on the album “YANKEE,” released in April 2014, which reached No.
2 on the Oricon Weekly Albums chart.
The lyrics gently portray relationships and emotions through food, wrapping everyday small happinesses—and the feelings for someone whose importance you realize only after they’re gone—in tender warmth.
It’s a song to savor quietly on nights when you dine alone, thinking of someone dear.
Premium salted grilled Kuroge Wagyu tongue 680 yenOtsuka Ai
Contrary to its title, this song begins with a message of love.
It’s a track by Ai Otsuka, a popular female singer from Osaka, released as her seventh single in 2005.
Though it doesn’t directly mention it, it’s a mysterious love song that somehow makes you crave yakiniku (grilled meat).
Uma-velousMONKEY MAJIK × Sandoicchiman
It sounds like a dream to eat with zero calories, but if you listen to this song, that dream might just come true.
The collaboration between MONKEY MAJIK and Sandwichman is a humorous collection of 11 tracks packed with love for food.
The lyrics are filled with specialties and dishes from Miyagi Prefecture that will bring a smile to your face.
Released in August 2018, the album surpassed one million views on YouTube in just ten days.
It’s a fun, uplifting set of songs that will make you want to listen with gratitude for food.
chicken riceHamada Masatoshi / Makihara Noriyuki
As the title suggests, this is a song themed around “Chicken Rice,” created for a TV show project.
It was released as a single in 2004.
The lead vocals are by Masatoshi Hamada of Downtown, with composition and backing vocals by Noriyuki Makihara, and lyrics by Hitoshi Matsumoto of Downtown.
It’s also known as a Christmas song based on Matsumoto’s own experiences.
Yummy! BentoET-KING
This is a song that warmly expresses gratitude to family in friendly Kansai dialect, playfully personifying the contents of a bento.
Side dishes like mentaiko and fried chicken are cast as princes and princesses, and the feelings of thanks toward the family who make delicious meals are sung in straightforward words.
Included on the album “SOUL LAUNDRY,” the song was released in June 2008.
It’s a family-friendly work featuring ET-KING’s signature approachable hip-hop sound and humor-filled Kansai dialect.
CookingYUI
A bittersweet love song that portrays a woman expressing her affection through cooking.
YUI’s warm voice and the heartwarming melody blend beautifully in this piece.
Featured on the album “HOW CRAZY YOUR LOVE,” released in November 2011, the song captures the excitement and happiness of early-stage romance through the story of a woman taking on the challenge of cooking, something she isn’t used to, for the person she loves.
Centered on acoustic guitar, the simple and gentle sound wraps everyday life in a tender sense of small happiness.
It’s a recommended track for when you want to deepen a relationship with someone special or convey your feelings through cooking.
Magical Cooking ~From You to You~BUMP OF CHICKEN
It’s a song that begins with a folk-style guitar and gradually layers warm strings.
Based on the real experiences of BUMP OF CHICKEN’s vocalist, Motoo Fujiwara, it conveys the message that memories of receiving love through cooking continue to support him even now as an adult.
Released on April 21, 2010 as their 17th single, it was also broadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” from April to May of the same year.
It’s a perfect track for looking back on memories with family or reaffirming your gratitude to someone important.