There are many outlets that people turn to when faced with boredom. Eating is undoubtedly one of the most common. It’s so easy to reach for something to snack on when faced with monotony or sluggishness that there's a Japanese word that perfectly encapsulates the feeling of eating out of boredom.
The Japanese term for mindless eating is kuchisabishii, which literally means “lonely mouth” or "longing to have something in one’s mouth." Perhaps it's unsurprising that there is a specific Japanese term for this scenario. After all, Japan has an endless variety of snacks, including hundreds of flavors of Kit Kat bars and iconic nibbles like Pocky (slender chocolate-covered biscuit sticks), mochi (filled glutinous rice cakes), and senbei (crunchy savory rice crackers).
The term kuchisabishii gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, when increased stress levels, loneliness, and disrupted routines contributed to eating out of boredom. Whatever the cause, if you find yourself heading to your cupboards or refrigerator for a snack despite not being hungry, you’re definitely not alone.
Something to snack on:
- Many Japanese restaurants utilize kuchisabishii by offering appetizers that can keep your appetite going but not satisfy your hunger.
- Kuchisabishii can be compared to the British term “peckish,” which also relates to the action of wanting something to nibble on rather than a significant feeling of hunger.
- Kuchisabishii is a popular term among those trying to quit smoking. Because there is nothing where a cigarette used to be, former smokers sometimes describe themselves as having “lonely mouths.”
