Planning a trip to Japan? Knowing a few key phrases will make your dining experience much smoother and more enjoyable. While many restaurants in tourist areas offer English menus, making an effort to speak Japanese will enhance your experience and interactions. Here’s your complete guide to ordering food like a pro in Japan!
🏮 Entering a Restaurant
As soon as you step into a restaurant, you’ll be greeted with a warm 「いらっしゃいませ！」(Irrashaimase!), which means "Welcome to our establishment."
The staff will then ask if you have a reservation:
"Do you have a reservation?"
「ご予約はされていますか？」(Go yoyaku wa sarete imasu ka?)
If you do, simply say:
「予約をしています。 (Name) です。」(Yoyaku o shite imasu. (Name) desu.) → I have a reservation under (Name).
If not, ask:
「予約していませんが、空いていますか？」(Yoyaku shite imasen ga, aite imasu ka?) → I don’t have a reservation. Do you have a table available?
They may also ask:
"How many people in your party?"
「何名様ですか？」(Nan mei sama desu ka?)
Respond with:
「1人です」(Hitori desu) → One person.
「2人です」(Futari desu) → Two people.
「3人です」(San nin desu) → Three people, etc.
In some restaurants, you will be asked if you prefer smoking or non-smoking seating:
「喫煙席、禁煙席のどちらにしますか？」(Kitsuenseki, kinenseki no dochira ni shimasu ka?)
「禁煙席をお願いします」(Kinenseki o onegai shimasu) → Non-smoking, please.
「喫煙席をお願いします」(Kitsuenseki o onegai shimasu) → Smoking area, please.
📖 Ordering Your Meal
To get a waiter’s attention, simply say:
「すみません！」(Sumimasen!) → Excuse me!
If you need an English menu:
「英語のメニューはありますか？」(Eigo no menyuu wa arimasu ka?) → Do you have an English menu?
When you are ready to order:
「注文をお願いします。」(Chuumon o onegai shimasu.) → I’d like to order.
Useful phrases for ordering:
「ビールをお願いします。」(Biiru o onegai shimasu.) → A beer, please.
「唐揚げをお願いします。」(Karaage o onegai shimasu.) → Some fried chicken, please.
「ビールを三つお願いします。」(Biiru o mittsu onegai shimasu.) → Three beers, please.
If you want a refill:
「お代わりをお願いします。」(Okawari o onegai shimasu.) → Can I have the same again, please?
🍣 Making Special Requests
If you have dietary restrictions or special requests:
「ベジタリアンメニューはありますか？」(Bejitarian menyuu wa arimasu ka?) → Do you have a vegetarian menu?
「この料理は卵抜きにしてもらえますか？」(Kono ryouri wa tamago nuki ni shite moraemasu ka?) → Could you remove the eggs from this dish?
💬 Expressing Gratitude & Compliments
Before and after eating, it's customary to show appreciation:
Before eating:
「いただきます！」(Itadakimasu!) → A polite way to say, "Let's eat!"
After finishing your meal:
「ごちそうさまでした！」(Gochisousama deshita!) → Thank you for the meal!
To compliment the chef:
「美味しいです！」(Oishii desu!) → It’s delicious!
Tip: If you ordered multiple dishes, avoid complimenting just one, as it may seem like you didn’t enjoy the others!
🏃♂️ Ordering Takeout & Asking for the Bill
If you want to take your food to-go:
「お持ち帰りでお願いします。」(Omochikaeri de onegai shimasu.) → Takeout, please.
If you wish to eat in instead:
「店内でお願いします。」(Tennai de onegai shimasu.) → For here, please.
When you’re ready to pay:
「お会計をお願いします。」(O kaikei o onegai shimasu.) → Can I have the bill, please?
You can also say 「ごちそうさまでした！」(Gochisousama deshita!) to indicate that you are done and ready to pay.
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