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“Balsamic Vinegar!” meme: meaning, origin and common card

“Balsamic Vinegar!” is a cult catchphrase from the anime Lucky Star.

MyMemeCards editorial teamPublished 8 min read
Balsamic Vinegar! meme
The “Balsamic Vinegar!” meme, 2007

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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Balsamic Vinegar!” is a common card of the Memes World series 74, number 21932 of the collection, and the 157th best-known meme of its 300 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.

What does the “Balsamic Vinegar!” meme mean?

The expression conveys a disjointed and context-free shout. Outside the anime, it holds no deep meaning; it is pure sound, often used to create a comedic or chaotic effect. Users employ it as a surprise element in video edits, turning a simple culinary mention into a viral and repetitive meme.

Where does the “Balsamic Vinegar!” meme come from?

The quote originates from the anime Lucky Star, produced by Kyoto Animation and aired in Japan between April and September 2007. The character Tsukasa Hiiragi says “barusamiko-su,” which literally translates to “balsamic vinegar.” The series features comedic dialogue about mundane daily details. On the Japanese internet, this vocal excerpt was massively reused in artistic creations called “MAD” and musical remixes. This practice gained traction on Nico Nico Douga, launched in late 2006. Although the phenomenon is linked to this early period, sources do not allow us to identify the specific founding video, its creator, or the exact date of its first viral appearance with certainty.

How to use the “Balsamic Vinegar!” meme

  • Insert the phrase into a video edit to add a moment of humorous chaos.
  • Use the audio clip as an abrupt transition sound in a musical remix.
  • Reference the source when discussing the early history of Japanese memes.

Also searched as

  • barusamiko-su
  • バルサミコ酢
  • balsamic vinegar anime
  • balsamic vinegar meme
  • balsamic vinegar meaning
  • lucky star tsukasa meme
  • nico nico douga mad history

The “Balsamic Vinegar!” card in MyMemeCards

Balsamic Vinegar! card
NumberNo. 21932
RarityCommon
CollectionMemes World series 74
Fame61/100 · #157 of 300
Recycle value5 MemeCoins (15 in Shiny)
Rarities of the Memes World series 74: 300 cards
  • Common25083%
  • Rare299.7%
  • Epic217.0%

How to get the “Balsamic Vinegar!” card

Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Balsamic Vinegar! comes out of the Memes World series 74 as a common card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.

Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 5 MemeCoins.

Open your free pack

5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.

Free · no account needed

Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art ≤ 0.1%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details

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Frequently asked questions

What does balsamic vinegar mean?

It simply means “balsamic vinegar” in Japanese. In the meme context, it is an absurd shout without narrative depth.

Who says balsamic vinegar?

It is the character Tsukasa Hiiragi who delivers this line in the animated series produced by Kyoto Animation.

Balsamic vinegar origin?

The phrase comes from the anime Lucky Star (2007). The vocal excerpt was repurposed to create MAD videos on Nico Nico Douga.

How do I get the Balsamic Vinegar! meme card?

Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Balsamic Vinegar!” is a common card of the Memes World series 74. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.

How rare is the Balsamic Vinegar! card?

It is a Common card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.

Sources: Lucky Star — Complete Encyclopedia & Guide - Shapes, Inc · Niconico - Wikipedia · Motteke! Sailor Fuku · checked on October 15, 2026.

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