Dining in Japan is an experience unlike any other. From Michelin-starred restaurants to humble ramen shops, Japanese cuisine is an art form. But navigating menus and ordering can be intimidating if you don't know the language. This guide will help you order confidently, understand menus, and enjoy the full Japanese dining experience.
Before You Enter: Key Concepts
Types of Japanese Restaurants
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|
| レストラン | Resutoran | Restaurant (Western-style) |
| 居酒屋 | Izakaya | Japanese pub/tavern |
| ラーメン屋 | Ramen-ya | Ramen shop |
| 寿司屋 | Sushi-ya | Sushi restaurant |
| 焼肉屋 | Yakiniku-ya | Korean BBQ style |
| 定食屋 | Teishoku-ya | Set meal restaurant |
| 食堂 | Shokudo | Cafeteria/diner |
| うどん屋 | Udon-ya | Udon noodle shop |
| そば屋 | Soba-ya | Soba noodle shop |
| カフェ | Kafe | Café |
Entering and Seating
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|
| いらっしゃいませ | Irasshaimase | Welcome! (staff greeting) |
| 何名様ですか | Nan-mei-sama desu ka | How many people? |
| 一人です | Hitori desu | One person |
| 二人です | Futari desu | Two people |
| 予約があります | Yoyaku ga arimasu | I have a reservation |
| 予約はありません | Yoyaku wa arimasen | No reservation |
| 禁煙席 | Kin'en-seki | Non-smoking section |
| 喫煙席 | Kitsuen-seki | Smoking section |
| カウンター | Kauntā | Counter seating |
| テーブル | Tēburu | Table seating |
| 座敷 | Zashiki | Tatami floor seating |
Tip: You don't need to respond to "Irasshaimase"—just smile and proceed inside.
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|
| メニュー | Menyū | Menu |
| 前菜 | Zensai | Appetizers |
| サラダ | Sarada | Salad |
| スープ | Sūpu | Soup |
| 刺身 | Sashimi | Raw fish |
| 焼き物 | Yakimono | Grilled items |
| 揚げ物 | Agemono | Fried items |
| 煮物 | Nimono | Simmered dishes |
| ご飯物 | Gohanmono | Rice dishes |
| 麺類 | Menrui | Noodles |
| デザート | Dezāto | Dessert |
| 飲み物 | Nomimono | Drinks |
Common Dishes
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|
| ラーメン | Rāmen | Ramen noodles |
| うどん | Udon | Thick wheat noodles |
| そば | Soba | Buckwheat noodles |
| 寿司 | Sushi | Sushi |
| 天ぷら | Tempura | Battered and fried |
| とんかつ | Tonkatsu | Breaded pork cutlet |
| カレーライス | Karē raisu | Curry rice |
| 焼き鳥 | Yakitori | Grilled chicken skewers |
| 餃子 | Gyōza | Dumplings |
| 枝豆 | Edamame | Soybeans |
| 唐揚げ | Karaage | Fried chicken |
| お好み焼き | Okonomiyaki | Savory pancake |
| 丼 | Don/Donburi | Rice bowl |
Ingredients
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|
| 肉 | Niku | Meat |
| 牛肉 | Gyūniku | Beef |
| 豚肉 | Butaniku | Pork |
| 鶏肉 | Toriniku | Chicken |
| 魚 | Sakana | Fish |
| エビ | Ebi | Shrimp |
| イカ | Ika | Squid |
| タコ | Tako | Octopus |
| 野菜 | Yasai | Vegetables |
| 卵 | Tamago | Egg |
| 豆腐 | Tōfu | Tofu |
| ご飯 | Gohan | Rice |
Ordering
Getting Attention
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|
| すみません | Sumimasen | Excuse me |
| 注文お願いします | Chūmon onegaishimasu | I'd like to order |
| まだです | Mada desu | Not yet (still deciding) |
| これをください | Kore wo kudasai | This one, please |
| それをください | Sore wo kudasai | That one, please |
| これは何ですか | Kore wa nan desu ka | What is this? |
Ordering Phrases
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|
| 〜をお願いします | ~ wo onegaishimasu | ~ please |
| 〜を一つ | ~ wo hitotsu | One ~ |
| 〜を二つ | ~ wo futatsu | Two ~ |
| おすすめは何ですか | Osusume wa nan desu ka | What do you recommend? |
| 一番人気は何ですか | Ichiban ninki wa nan desu ka | What's most popular? |
Customizations
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|
| 〜なしで | ~ nashi de | Without ~ |
| 〜抜きで | ~ nuki de | Without ~ |
| 大盛り | Ōmori | Large portion |
| 小盛り | Komori | Small portion |
| 辛くしないでください | Karaku shinaide kudasai | Not spicy, please |
| 少なめ | Sukuname | Less (of something) |
| 多め | Ōme | More (of something) |
Dietary Restrictions
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|
| ベジタリアン | Bejitarian | Vegetarian |
| ビーガン | Bīgan | Vegan |
| 肉は食べられません | Niku wa taberaremasen | I can't eat meat |
| アレルギーがあります | Arerugī ga arimasu | I have allergies |
| 〜アレルギーです | ~ arerugī desu | I'm allergic to ~ |
| 小麦 | Komugi | Wheat |
| 卵 | Tamago | Eggs |
| 乳製品 | Nyūseihin | Dairy |
Drinks
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|
| お水 | Omizu | Water |
| お茶 | Ocha | Tea |
| ビール | Bīru | Beer |
| 生ビール | Nama bīru | Draft beer |
| 日本酒 | Nihonshu | Sake |
| 焼酎 | Shōchū | Japanese distilled spirit |
| ワイン | Wain | Wine |
| コーラ | Kōra | Cola |
| オレンジジュース | Orenji jūsu | Orange juice |
Izakaya Drinking Culture
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|
| 乾杯！ | Kanpai! | Cheers! |
| 飲み放題 | Nomihōdai | All-you-can-drink |
| 食べ放題 | Tabehōdai | All-you-can-eat |
| お通し | Otōshi | Small appetizer (charged) |
| とりあえずビール | Toriaezu bīru | Beer for now (first order) |
Izakaya tip: "Otōshi" is a small dish automatically served with your first drink. It's a cover charge of sorts—expect to pay for it.
During the Meal
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|
| いただきます | Itadakimasu | Said before eating |
| ごちそうさまでした | Gochisōsama deshita | Said after eating |
| おいしい！ | Oishii! | Delicious! |
| お代わりください | Okawari kudasai | Another serving, please |
| 取り皿ください | Torizara kudasai | Small plate, please |
| 箸 | Hashi | Chopsticks |
| スプーン | Supūn | Spoon |
| フォーク | Fōku | Fork |
| ナイフ | Naifu | Knife |
Paying
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|
| お会計お願いします | Okaikei onegaishimasu | Check, please |
| お勘定お願いします | Okanjō onegaishimasu | Check, please |
| 別々でお願いします | Betsubetsu de onegaishimasu | Separate checks, please |
| 一緒でお願いします | Issho de onegaishimasu | Together, please |
| カードで払えますか | Kādo de haraemasu ka | Can I pay by card? |
| 現金だけですか | Genkin dake desu ka | Cash only? |
| レシートください | Reshīto kudasai | Receipt, please |
Payment culture: Many traditional restaurants are cash-only. Tipping is not customary in Japan—excellent service is the standard.
Ramen Shop Specifics
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|
| 味噌ラーメン | Miso rāmen | Miso-flavored ramen |
| 醤油ラーメン | Shōyu rāmen | Soy sauce ramen |
| 塩ラーメン | Shio rāmen | Salt-based ramen |
| とんこつラーメン | Tonkotsu rāmen | Pork bone broth ramen |
| 麺の硬さ | Men no katasa | Noodle firmness |
| 硬め | Katame | Firm |
| 普通 | Futsū | Normal |
| 柔らかめ | Yawarakame | Soft |
| チャーシュー | Chāshū | Sliced pork |
| 替え玉 | Kaedama | Extra noodles |
Sushi Restaurant Phrases
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|
| マグロ | Maguro | Tuna |
| サーモン | Sāmon | Salmon |
| エビ | Ebi | Shrimp |
| イクラ | Ikura | Salmon roe |
| タマゴ | Tamago | Egg |
| わさび抜きで | Wasabi nuki de | No wasabi |
| 醤油 | Shōyu | Soy sauce |
| ガリ | Gari | Pickled ginger |
Dining Etiquette Tips
Do's
- Say "Itadakimasu" before eating
- Say "Gochisōsama deshita" after eating
- Slurp your noodles (it's polite!)
- Hold rice bowls close to your mouth
- Use the opposite end of chopsticks when taking from shared dishes
Don'ts
- Don't stick chopsticks upright in rice
- Don't pass food chopstick-to-chopstick
- Don't point with chopsticks
- Don't tip (it can be considered rude)
- Don't pour your own drink at izakayas (pour for others)
Your Restaurant Japanese Checklist
Before your trip:
During your trip:
Final Thoughts
Japanese dining is a joy. The food is incredible, the service is impeccable, and the culture around eating is fascinating. With these phrases, you'll navigate restaurants confidently and show respect for Japanese culinary traditions.
Don't worry about perfection—Japanese people appreciate the effort. Point at the menu if needed, smile, and enjoy some of the best food in the world.
いただきます！(Itadakimasu!)
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