How to order at a Japanese restaurant
If you’re traveling in Japan you’ll definitely be eating out and ordering in Japanese, so don’t miss this free lesson! We’ll teach you the basics you need to know so you don’t go hungry – just listen to the audio and practice saying these Japanese words and phrases aloud. When you’re ready, why not try them out on the staff at a local Japanese restaurant?
Feel like some sake? Need some extra rice? No problem! After this lesson you’ll be ordering from the menu in Japanese like a pro, and impressing everyone at the table with your Japanese language skills. Is your mouth watering? Let’s get started!
Pronunciation help for ordering in Japanese
As hard as you try, without helpful feedback your Japanese pronunciation is never going to be the same as a native speaker’s. If you've found it difficult to perfect the way you say Japanese words and phrases, this lesson will help you.
Using the blue Rocket Record buttons you can record the way you say each word or phrase, and compare it with the way a Japanese native speaker does. That’s right, with Rocket Japanese voice mapping technology you can record your voice as many times as you need until your pronunciation matches the Japanese speaker!
In Japan there are restaurants where you will be seated by the waiter or waitress. Other times, you may be asked to choose the table yourself. In some restaurants the menu will be on the table already otherwise the waiter will bring it over to you as soon as possible. After being greeted you could get asked one of the following questions…
Sometimes all you might get asked is…
You could answer by saying one of these phrases…
Not sure what you fancy eating? Just ask the waiter what he recommends…
Here are the names of some dishes and drinks that you might find on the menu…
In order to get the dish you want simply say…
Once you finished your meal you ask for the bill…
In Japan, the waiter or waitress will bring the bill to your table but you will have to pay at the cashier, usually at the entrance of the restaurant. If you are eating out with a group you might want to ask to pay together, or separately…
It is not expected to tip in Japanese restaurants. Gratuity is included in the check. If you want to express your gratitude, it is common for Japanese customers to yell out, “Gochisō-sama”, which suggest “I have enjoyed the dinner very much”.
That’s it for today’s lesson.
Sayaka Matsuura
Rocket Japanese
Exercise: Match the Japanese phrases and words with the correct English translation. Write the letter of the correct answer in the space provided.
