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!
Resources for further reading:
- How to improve your pronunciation of Japanese words - The best Japanese software: what you need to know
Making an Order
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:
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お飲み物は何がいいですか？
おのみもの は なに が いい です か？
Onomimono wa nani ga ī desu ka?
What would (you) like to drink?
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ご注文お決まりですか？
ごちゅうもん おきまり です か？
Gochūmon okimari desu ka?
Are (you) ready to order?
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何を召し上がりますか？
なに を めしあがります か？
Nani o meshiagarimasu ka?
What would (you) like to order?
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前菜はいかがですか？
ぜんさい は いかが です か？
Zensai wa ikaga desu ka?
Would (you) like a starter?
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何になさいますか？
なに に なさいます か？
Nani ni nasaimasu ka?
What would (you) like?
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Sometimes all you might get asked is:
はい、何を？
はい、 なに を？
Hai, nani o?
Yes, what (would you like)?
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You could answer by saying one of these phrases:
もう少し待ってください。
もう すこし まって ください。
Mō sukoshi matte kudasai.
One moment, please.
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まず飲み物を頼みたいです。
まず のみもの を たのみたい です。
Mazu nomimono o tanomitai desu.
First, (I) would like to order something to drink.
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まだ決めていません。
まだ きめて いません。
Mada kimete imasen.
(I) don't know yet.
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Not sure what you fancy eating? Just ask the waiter what they recommend:
お勧め品は何ですか？
おすすめ ひん は なん です か？
Osusume hin wa nan desu ka?
What can (you) recommend?
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今日の日替わりメニュー
定食は何ですか？
きょう の ひがわり メニュー
ていしょく は なん です か？
kyō no higawari menyū
Teishoku wa nan desu ka?
the daily special
What is the set menu?
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今日のスープは何ですか？
きょう の スープ は なん です か？
Kyō no sūpu wa nan desu ka?
What is the soup of the day?
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Here are the names of some dishes and drinks that you might find on the menu:
ミネラル ウォーター
ミネラル ウォーター
mineraru wōtā
mineral water
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ジュース
ジュース
jūsu
juice
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ビール
ビール
bīru
beer
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赤ワイン
あか ワイン
aka wain
red wine
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白ワイン
しろ ワイン
shiro wain
white wine
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シャンパン
シャンパン
shanpan
champagne / bubbly
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酒
さけ
sake
sake / alcohol
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前菜
ぜんさい
zensai
starter
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メイン
メイン
mein
main
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デザート
デザート
dezāto
dessert
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付け合わせ料理
つけあわせ りょうり
tsukeawase ryōri
side dish
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スープ
スープ
sūpu
soup
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サラダ
サラダ
sarada
salad
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ソース
ソース
sōsu
sauce
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野菜
やさい
yasai
vegetable
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じゃが芋
じゃがいも
jagaimo
potatoes
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お米
ご飯
ライス
おこめ
ごはん
ライス
okome
gohan
raisu
(uncooked) rice
(cooked) rice
rice
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肉
にく
niku
meat
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ラ ーメン
うどん
蕎麦
ラーメン
うどん
そば
ramen
udon
soba
ramen
udon
soba
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豚肉
ぶたにく
butaniku
pork
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鶏肉
とりにく
toriniku
chicken
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牛肉
ぎゅうにく
gyūniku
beef
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In order to get the dish you want simply say:
をください
を ください
o kudasai
(I) will have
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をお願いします
を おねがいします
o onegaishimasu
(I) would like
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Paying the Bill
Once you finished your meal you ask for the bill:
お勘定をお願いします
おかんじょう を おねがいします
Okanjō o onegaishimasu.
The bill, please.
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おいくらですか？
おいくら です か？
Oikura desu ka?
How much is it?
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In Japan, the waiter or waitress will usually 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:
一緒にお願いします。
いっしょ に おねがいします。
Issho ni onegaishimasu.
Together, please.
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別々にお願いします。
べつ べつ に お願いします。
Betsu betsu ni onegaishimasu.
(We) will pay separately.
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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, ご馳走様！ (Gochisōsama!) which means "Thank you for the food!"
ご馳走様！
ごちそうさま！
Gochisōsama!
Thank you for the food!
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That’s it for today’s lesson.
Here are a few recommended Japanese lessons to try next!
- There's lots of wonderful sights in Japan. Let's talk about sightseeing in Japanese.
- Everyone loves talking about sports in Japanese.
- Taking the subway in Japanese.
まだ ね！ (Mata ne!) "See you again!"
Sayaka Matsuura: Rocket Japanese
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