Friendly to Senior
Care · Conversation
〇〇さんがよくお作りになっていたお料理は何ですか？得意なお料理はありましたか？ — What dishes did you often cook? Was there a recipe you were especially proud of? (Care · Conversation, Friendly to Senior, JLPT N4)
You
〇〇さんがよくお作りになっていたお料理は何ですか？得意なお料理はありましたか？
〇〇さんがよくおつくりになっていたおりょうりはなんですか？とくいなおりょうりはありましたか？
What dishes did you often cook? Was there a recipe you were especially proud of?
Romaji: [Name]-san ga yoku otsukuri ni natte ita oryouri wa nan desu ka? Tokui na oryouri wa arimashita ka? / Reply Romaji: Sou ne... nikujaga wa yoku tsukutte ta wa. Kazoku ga yorokonde kuretan da yo.
Reply
そうねえ…肉じゃがはよく作ってたわ。家族が喜んでくれたんだよ。
そうねえ…にくじゃがはよくつくってたわ。かぞくがよろこんでくれたんだよ。
Let me think... I often made nikujaga (meat and potato stew). My family loved it.
Gesture & etiquette
Lean forward slightly and smile warmly. Nod as they describe the dish and ask a natural follow-up: 「どんな材料を入れていたんですか？」(What ingredients did you use?). Food memories often lead to rich life stories — be prepared for a long and joyful conversation.
Cooking memories are closely tied to family identity and pride — this question invites the senior to share a skill they feel good about, rather than focusing on losses or limitations. Listen with genuine curiosity and ask follow-up questions like 「どんな味付けをされていたんですか？」