Ordering Food in Japan: いらっしゃいませ to ごちそうさま
The phrases you'll hear and use at restaurants in Japan, from the welcome to the thanks after eating, with menu vocabulary.
Eating out in Japan is a pleasure, and a handful of phrases will make it smoother.
When you arrive
- いらっしゃいませ。 (Irasshaimase.) — Welcome. (said by staff)
- 何名様ですか。 (Nanmei-sama desu ka?) — How many people?
- 二人です。 (Futari desu.) — Two people.
- こちらへどうぞ。 — This way, please.
Ordering
- メニューをください。 — Please give me the menu.
- これをください。 — I'll have this, please.
- おすすめは何ですか。 — What do you recommend?
- ラーメンをひとつお願いします。 — One ramen, please.
- 水をください。 — Water, please.
お願いします (onegaishimasu) is a polite way to ask: "please".
Before and after eating
- いただきます。 (Itadakimasu.) — said before eating, roughly "I humbly receive".
- ごちそうさまでした。 (Gochisōsama deshita.) — said after eating, "thank you for the meal".
- おいしかったです。 — It was delicious.
Paying
- お会計をお願いします。 (Okaikei o onegaishimasu.) — The bill, please.
- カードは使えますか。 — Can I use a card?
- 別々でお願いします。 — Separately, please.
In many restaurants you pay at the register on the way out. Tipping is not customary.
Food vocabulary
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ご飯 (ごはん) | rice, meal |
| パン | bread |
| 肉 (にく) | meat |
| 魚 (さかな) | fish |
| 野菜 (やさい) | vegetables |
| 卵 (たまご) | egg |
| 飲み物 (のみもの) | drink |
| お茶 (おちゃ) | tea |
| 水 (みず) | water |
| お酒 (おさけ) | alcohol, sake |
Types of restaurants
- 居酒屋 (izakaya) — a casual pub serving food
- 食堂 (shokudō) — a casual eatery
- 定食 (teishoku) — a set meal
- 丼 (donburi) — a rice bowl with a topping
Dietary needs
- 肉が食べられません。 — I can't eat meat.
- アレルギーがあります。 — I have an allergy.
Tips
- Learn いただきます and ごちそうさま.
- Practise ordering with ください.
- Use the dictionary to check menu items.
English Japanese Dictionary
Offline English–Japanese dictionary with kanji, hiragana and katakana support
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