🧭 “Nankin”? Not the city—it’s pumpkin!
You might think “nankin” refers to Nanjing, the Chinese city—but in Kansai dialect, it means kabocha, or pumpkin.
This word appears often on menus in Kansai restaurants: dishes like nankin tempura or nankin stew are local favorites.
If you’re unfamiliar with Kansai dialect, this term might surprise you!
🔍 Standard Japanese vs Kansai Dialect: When Pumpkin Isn’t Just “Kabocha”
🗾 Standard Japanese
✅️ Example
🔸かぼちゃの煮物が好きです。(Kabocha no nimono ga suki desu.)
➡I like pumpkin stew.
🔸かぼちゃって甘くておいしいよね。(Kabocha tte amakute oishii yo ne.)
➡Pumpkin is sweet and tasty.
🎯 Kansai Dialect
✅️ Example
🔸なんきんの炊いたん好きやねん。(Nankin no taitan suki ya nen.)
➡ I love simmered pumpkin!
🔸なんきん、甘うてうまいな〜。(Nankin, amāte umai na~.)
➡ Nankin is so sweet and delicious!
💡 In Kansai, “nankin” is just a friendly and nostalgic way to say “pumpkin.” Don’t confuse it with a place name!
💬 Sample Phrases Using "Nankin" in Kansai Dialect
1️⃣ 今日のおかず、なんきんの炊いたんやで。
Kyō no okazu, nankin no taitan ya de.
2️⃣おばあちゃんのなんきん、めっちゃうまいねん。
Obāchan no nankin, meccha umai nen.
3️⃣メニューの“なんきんの天ぷら”って…南京の料理ちゃうやん！
Menyū no “nankin no tenpura” tte… Nankin no ryōri chau yan!
1️⃣ Today’s side dish is simmered pumpkin.
2️⃣ Grandma’s pumpkin dish is seriously delicious.
3️⃣ “Nankin tempura” on the menu? That’s not Chinese food!
✨ Ready to Learn Real Japanese?
Start your journey into Kansai dialect and natural conversation with Kentaro – a native tutor who makes learning fun and effective.
👉 Book your free trial lesson now and see the difference!
🕒 Flexible schedule ・ 💬 Conversational focus ・ 🌏 Lessons in English or Chinese