Spanish word

cococha

Pronunciation

IPA/koˈkotʃa/

Meaning

  • feminine nounfish cheek

Example

Me encantan las cocochas a la plancha.

I love grilled fish cheeks.

Illustration for cococha (fish cheek)

More examples

Pediré una ración de cocochas para compartir.

I will order a portion of fish cheeks to share.

Core concept

Small boneless bite of soft fish cheek prized in Spanish cooking.

Common phrases

  • ración de cocochas

    portion of fish cheeks

  • tapa de cocochas

    fish-cheek tapa

  • cocochas a la bilbaína

    fish cheeks Bilbao-style

Similar words

mejilla: Rounded fleshy part of the face on each side, forming the cheek.
cachete: Informal, familiar reference to the cheek beside the mouth in casual speech.
ventresca: Oily, richly marbled belly cut from tuna or similar fish, valued for its fat.

Definition in Spanish

Porción carnosa y tierna situada en la mejilla del pescado, considerada una delicadeza en la cocina española.

Word origin

Borrowed from Basque kokotxa, originally a word for jaw or throat, which in Spanish came to denote the cheek flesh of fish.

Usage tips

  • Pronounced co-CO-cha (stress on the second syllable), it frequently appears as a tapa and is usually a specialty dish rather than a cheap bulk cut.

Word lists with this word