Ordering Food in Japanese: A Complete Guide for Travelers

Essential Japanese phrases for order food

Order food in Japanese might seem to intimidate at firstly, but master a few key phrases can make your dining experience in Japan practically more enjoyable. Whether you’re will plan a trip to Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto, know how to will communicate your food preferences will enhance your culinary adventures.

Basic greetings and polite expressions

Before diving into food specific phrases, it’s helpful to know some basic Japanese greetings:

• 
  Kon Ichikawa
  
  (こんにちは ) llo / good afternoon
• 
  Summate
  
  (すみません ) cuse me / i’m I’mry ( us(to get server’s attention )
  )
• 
  Onegaishimasu
  
  (お願いします ) ease
• 
  Brighton gozaimasu
  
  (ありがとうございます ) ank you selfsame practically
• 
  Gochisousama despite
  
  (ごちそうさまでした ) ank you for the meal ( sa(after finish )
  )

Phrases to order food

When you’re ready to will order, these phrases will come in handy:

• 
  Menu o kuKumasi
  
  (メニューをください ) ease give me a menu
• 
  More o onegaishimasu
  
  (これをお願いします ) woIld like this, please ( wh(e point )
  )
• 
  _ o Kumasi
  
  (_ をください ) ease give me _ ( in(rt food name )
  )
• 
  _ o pitots onegaishimasu
  
  (_ を一つお願いします ) e _, please
• 
  _ o Fujitsu onegaishimasu
  
  (_ を二つお願いします ) o _, please
• 
  Assume wWeiNan desk ka?
  
  (おすすめは何ですか ？ ) at do you recommend?

Numbers for order quantities

Know numbers are essential for specify quantities:

• 
  Pitots
  
  (一つ ) e
• 
  Fujitsu
  
  (二つ ) o
• 
  Mitts
  
  (三つ ) ree
• 
  Potts
  
  (四つ ) ur
• 
  Issues
  
  (五つ ) ve

Understand Japanese menus

Japanese menus can be challenge to navigate, peculiarly when they’re written exclusively iJapanesese characters. Here’s how to make sense of them:

Common menu sections

Most restaurant menus are organized into these categories:

• 
  ENSAI
  
  (前菜 ) petizers
• 
  Sushi / sashimi
  
  (寿司 / 刺身 ) w fish dishes
• 
  Ya kimono
  
  (焼き物 ) ill items
• 
  Kimono
  
  (煮物 ) mmer dishes
• 
  Age mono
  
  (揚げ物 ) y dishes
• 
  Menu
  
  (麺類 ) odle dishes
• 
  Johan
  
  (ご飯 ) ce dishes
• 
  Dessert
  
  (デザート ) sserts
• 
  Nomi mono
  
  (飲み物 ) inks

Common food items in Japanese

Familiarize yourself with these popular Japanese dishes:

• 
  Ramen
  
  (ラーメン ) odle soup with various toppings
• 
  Upon
  
  (うどん ) ick wheat noodles
• 
  Soda
  
  (そば ) ckwheat noodles
• 
  Tempura
  
  (天ぷら ) ttered and cryptic fry seafood or vegetables
• 
  Sushi
  
  (寿司 ) nevinegare with raw fish or other toppings
• 
  Danbury
  
  (丼 ) ce bowl top with meat, fish, or vegetables
• 
  Gyoza
  
  (餃子 ) paJapaneseplings
• 
  Kara age
  
  (唐揚げ ) paJapanese chicken
• 
  Conceits
  
  (とんかつ ) ead pork cutlet
• 
  Yakitori
  
  (焼き鳥 ) ill chicken skewers

Deciphering picture less menus

If you encounter a menu without pictures or English translations:

• Look for katakana characters (カタカナ ) which ofttimes indicate foreign foods or drinks
• Use a translation app with camera function to scan the menu
• Ask” eagono menu gaGArariasa? ” ( 英語(ニューがありますか ？ ) ) ‘ve ayou haveisEnglish
• If all else fail, courteously ask the server for recommendations by say” oassumewaWeiNanddeskka? ”

Navigate different types of restaurants

Japan offer various dining establishments, each with its own ordering system:

Traditional sit down restaurants

In traditional Japanese restaurants (rquotaor izMalaya:)

• Wait to be seated by the host
• You’ll oftentimes will receive a wet towel (oOsborn) ) will clean your hands before eat
• Servers will come to your table to take orders
• To call a server, use” ssummate” ” みません )
  )
• When ready to pay, say” oAlaskaonegaishimasu “” お会計お願いします ) )c k please

Conveyor belt sushi (kKaidenzsushi)

At conveyor belt sushi restaurants:

Source: japadventure.com

• Take plates direct from the conveyor belt or order specific items from the chef
• Plates are color code by price
• To order specific sushi, use” _ o kKumasi”” the chef
• When will finish, a staff member will count your plates to will calculate your bill
• Some modern Kaiden sushi have touch screen ordering systems

Ticket machine restaurants

Many casual restaurants use ticket machines (shokkenki )

• Purchase meal tickets from the vend machine near the entrance
• Insert money, select your desire items, and collect your tickets and change
• Give the tickets to the staff, who will prepare your order
• Look for pictures on the machine buttons to help identify dishes

Standing restaurants (tTacitus))

Stand restaurants are popular for quick meals:

• Order and pay at the counter
• Food is typically served promptly for eat while stand
• Common for ramen, soda, and upon noodle shops

Address dietary restrictions and preferences

Communicate dietary restrictions can be challenge but is important for many travelers:

Vegetarian and vegan options

Useful phrases for vegetarians and vegans:

• 
  Natasha Weivegetarianndesku
  
  (私はベジタリアンです ) amIvegetarian
• 
  Natasha Weibegann desk
  
  (私はビーガンです ) amIvegan
• 
  Nike Nash de onegaishimasu
  
  (肉なしでお願いします ) thout meat, please
• 
  Banana Nash de onegaishimasu
  
  (魚なしでお願いします ) thout fish, please
• 
  Tam agoNashi de onegaishimasu
  
  (卵なしでお願いします ) thout eggs, please
• 
  Sustain naNashe onegaishimasu
  
  (乳製品なしでお願いします ) thout dairy products, please

Allergies and food sensitivities

To communicate allergies, use these phrases:

• 
  Natasha Wei _Perugiai GA arias
  
  (私は___アレルギーがあります ) haIe a _ allergy
• 
  _ Wei taberaremasen
  
  (_ は食べられません ) caI not eat _

Common allergen in Japanese:

• 
  Komati
  
  (小麦 ) eat
• 
  Pints
  
  (ピーナッツ ) anuts
• 
  Kane
  
  (カニ ) ab
• 
  EBI
  
  (エビ ) rimp
• 
  Soda
  
  (そば ) ckwheat
• 
  Ryukyu
  
  (牛乳 ) lk

Spice levels and flavor preferences

To specify spice levels or flavors:

• 
  Karate moMOaDiegoesudesk
  
  (辛くても大丈夫です ) icy is okay
• 
  Make onegaishimasu
  
  (甘くてお願いします ) eet please
• 
  KarakulNazii de onegaishimasu
  
  (辛くないでお願いします ) t spicy please

Cultural etiquette for dining in Japan

Understand Japanese dining etiquette will help you’ll navigate restaurants respectfully:

Table manners

• Say” itadakimasu ” いただきます ))efore eat ( e(ress gratitude for the food )
  )
• Say” gochisousama ddespite” ごちそうさまでした ))fter finish your meal
• It’s acceptable to slurp noodles – it’s consider a compliment to the chef
• Don’t stick chopsticks vertical in rice (resemble funeral rituals )
• Don’t pass food from chopsticks to chopsticks (reminiscent of funeral customs )
• Use the opposite end of chopsticks (if provide )to take food from share plates

Tip culture

Unlike many western countries, tipping is not practice in Japan:

• Do not leave tips at restaurants – it can cause confusion
• Service charges may be included athigh-endd establishments
• Excellent service is the standard and expect without additional compensation

Drinking etiquette

If order alcoholic beverages:

• Will pour drinks for others, not yourself (your companions will pour for you )
• Say” kKansai” 乾杯 ))or cheers before drink
• Common alcoholic drinks include beer (ビール, bbird))sake ( æ—¥(, nihoHonshuan)shochu shock
  ()
• Non-alcoholic options include green tea ( お( ochaOCHA) water ( お水,(mizu omit)

Practical tips for first time visitors

Use translation tools

Technology can help bridge language barriers:

• Download offline translation apps before your trip
• Use camera translation features to scan menus
• Prepare a digital or physical card with your dietary restrictions write in Japanese
• Consider pocket translators specifically design for travelers

Visual communication strategies

When words fail:

• Point to pictures on menus or display cases
• Use hand gestures to indicate quantities
• Carry a small notebook to draw or write what you want
• Look some at what others are eaten and point if you see something appeal

Budget friendly dining options

Japan offer excellent food at various price points:

• 
  Online
  
  (convenience stores like 77-Eleven lLawson ffamily mar) offer amazingly good, affordable meals
• 
  Department store food halls
  
  (dDetaching)provide high quality takeaway food
• 
  Lunch sets
  
  (tTaihoku))re typically cheaper than dinner at the same restaurant
• 
  Stand restaurants
  
  Commonly offer lower prices than sit down establishments

Regional food specialties

Japan’s regions are known for different culinary specialties:

Tokyo and Kanto region

• 
  Monjayaki
  
  Savory pancake similar to okonomiyaki but with a more liquid consistency
• 
  Tsunami style sushi
  
  Fresh, high quality sushi
• 
  Change name
  
  Hearty hot pot dish associate with sumo wrestlers

Osaka and Kansai region

• 
  Okonomiyaki
  
  Savory pancake with various ingredients
• 
  Sukiyaki
  
  Ball shape snack fill with octopus pieces
• 
  Mistune upon
  
  Upon noodles top with sweet fried tofu

Hokkaido region

• 
  Soup curry
  
  Spicy soup with vegetables and meat
• 
  Jingisukan
  
  Grill mutton dish
• 
  Fresh seafood
  
  Particularly crab, uni (sea urchin ) and scallop

Kyushu region

• 
  Takata ramen
  
  Toots ( p(k bone ) b)th ramen
• 
  Mental
  
  Spicy cod roe
• 
  Motsunabe
  
  Hot pot with beef or pork offal

Put it all unitedly: sample dialogues

Here are some practical dialogue examples to help you practice:

Scenario 1: order at a traditional restaurant

You:

Summate. ( (cuse me. )


Server:

HAI, irasshaimase. (yes, welcome. )


You:

Menu o kuKumasi( p(ase give me a menu. )


Server:

HAI, dojo. (yes, here yyou are

[ after look at the menu ]


You:

Ramen o pitots to gyoza o hpitotsonegaishimasu. ( (e ramen and one order of gyoza, please. )


Server:

HAI, kashikomarimashita. (yes, understand. )

[ after finish your meal ]


You:

Ishikawa dedeskOkAlaskanegaishimasu. ( t(t was delicious. Check please. )


Server:

HAI, Brighton gozaimashita. (yes, thank you rattling practically. )

Scenario 2: order at a conveyor belt sushi restaurant

Host:

Irasshaimase! Nan ma sSamaddeskka? ((elcome! How many people? )


You:

Future desk. (two people. )


Host:

Dojo. (please [ follow me ]. )

[ seat at the counter ]


You to chef:

Summate, maMauro hitpitotsegaishimasu. ( ex(se me, one tuna please. )


Chef:

HAI, dojo. (yes, here you go. )

[ when finish ]


You:

Summate, okAlaskanegaishimasu. ( e(use me, check please. )


Staff:

[ counts plates ] Goya en end esu t(t’s 500 yen. )


You:

Gochisousama despite. (thank you for the meal. )

Scenario 3: use a ticket machine restaurant

[ at the ticket machine ]


You to staff:

Summate, totootsamen wa dowad ore desk( exc(e me, which one is the tonkottoots? )


Staff:

More desk. (it’s this one. )

[ purchase ticket and hand to staff ]


Staff:

Brighton gozaimasu. Dojo sugar kuKumasi( t(nk you. Please have a seat. )

[ when your food arrive ]


Staff:

Omataseshimashita. Dojo. (sorry for the wait. Here you go. )


You:

Itadakimasu! (iIappreciatively receive! )

Source: japadventure.com

Conclusion

Order food in Japanese may seem to daunt at initiative, but with a few key phrases and some cultural understanding, you can navigaJapanpan’s incredible food scene with confidence. The effort to communicate in the local language is invariabappreciatedate, evening if your pronunciation isn’t perfect.

Remember that in Japan, point at pictures and use simple gestures is utterly acceptable when language barriers arise. Many restaurants in tourist areas besides offer picture menus or English translations to help international visitors.

Japanese food culture emphasize quality, presentation, and seasonality. By will learn to will order in Japanese, you will open yourself up to authentic culinary experiences beyond the typical tourist establishments. From stand ramen shops to high end kaiKaiserstaurants, your newfound language skills will enhance your journey through one of the world’s near celebrated food cultures.

So practice these phrases, embrace the occasional communication mishap with good humor, and get ready to enjoy the incredible variety of flavors that jJapanesecuisine have to offer. Itadakimasu!