Picture this: you’re standing outside a tiny ramen shop in Shinjuku, the neon lights flickering and locals lining up for a seat. You peek at the menu, filled with kanji (Chinese characters), and feel a pang of “Uh-oh, how do I order?” Don’t sweat it, you’ve got this. With these Japanese restaurant phrases for ordering, you’ll breeze through asking for water, grabbing that extra side dish, and thanking the chefs—all without fumbling over pronunciation.
By the time you finish this guide, you’ll know exactly what to say from the moment you step through the door to the instant you pay the bill. Ready to dive in? Let’s get you ordering like a pro in Tokyo’s vibrant dining scene.
Prepare your vocabulary
Before you even set foot inside, it helps to brush up on key words. Ever felt lost scanning a menu full of unfamiliar terms? A quick rundown will save you from staring blankly at the waiter.
- Menu items: sushi, ramen, tempura, sashimi
- Drink names: ビール (beer), お茶 (tea), 水 (water)
- Request verbs: 欲しい (want), 食べる (eat), 飲む (drink)
- Politeness markers: ください (please), お願いします (kindly)
For a deeper dive into essential food terms, check out our japanese food vocabulary.
Greet and get seated
Japanese restaurant etiquette kicks off with a friendly greeting and a seating question. When you enter, staff will call “いらっしゃいませ” (irasshaimase), meaning “Welcome.” It’s polite to respond with a slight nod or a soft “こんにちは” (konnichiwa) if it’s daytime.
Next, they’ll ask “何名様ですか？” (nan mei sama desu ka), that is “How many people?” You can answer:
- 一人です (hitori desu) – “Just me.”
- 二人です (futari desu) – “Two of us.”
If you’re unsure how to pronounce numbers, our japanese-numbers-pronunciation guide has you covered.
Request the menu
Once you’re spotted, you’ll be shown to a seat with a polite “こちらへどうぞ” (kochira e douzo), “Please sit here.” If the menu isn’t handed over immediately, catch the waiter’s eye and say:
- すみません、メニューをお願いします
(Sumimasen, menyū o onegaishimasu)
“Excuse me, may I have the menu please?”
In touristy areas, you might get an English menu. If not, simply add “英語の” (eigo no) to your request:
- 英語のメニューをお願いします
(Eigo no menyū o onegaishimasu)
“English menu please.”
(Byfood)
Order a drink
Drinks often come first, and ordering them is straightforward. When the server asks “お飲み物は何にしますか？”
(Onomi mono wa nani ni shimasu ka) — “What would you like to drink?” — you can reply with:
- ビールを一つお願いします
(Bīru o hitotsu onegaishimasu)
“One beer please.” - 水をください
(Mizu o kudasai)
“Water, please.”
In many izakaya (Japanese pubs), you’ll toast with “乾杯！” (kanpai) once everyone’s glass is full. Cheers to that.
Place your food order
When you’re ready to order food, wait for the server to ask “ご注文はお決まりですか？”
(Gochūmon wa okimari desu ka) — “Have you decided what to order?” Then use this pattern:
- [Dish name] + を + [Quantity] + お願いします
- Example: ラーメンを一つお願いします
(Rāmen o hitotsu onegaishimasu)
“One ramen please.”
If you’re pointing at the menu, you can also say:
- これをお願いします
(Kore o onegaishimasu)
“I’ll have this please.”
Specify dish quantities
In Japan, counters matter. You’ll insert the number after the item and before ください or お願いします. Common counters for dishes include “つ” (tsu) for general items and “枚” (mai) for flat items like sushi. For example:
- これを二つください
(Kore o futatsu kudasai)
“Two of these, please.” - お寿司を三枚お願いします
(Osushi o sanmai onegaishimasu)
“Three pieces of sushi please.”
Need a quick refresher on Japanese numbers and counters? Head to our japanese-counting-system.
Ask for extras
Sometimes you want more of the good stuff. Want extra rice, chopsticks, or napkins? Try these:
- お箸をもう一膳ください
(O-hashi o mō ichizen kudasai)
“One more pair of chopsticks please.” - ソースを追加でお願いします
(Sōsu o tsuika de onegaishimasu)
“Additional sauce please.” - おかわりください
(Okawari kudasai)
“Refill please.”
Use “おかわり” for tea, rice, or even naan at certain fusion spots (Byfood).
Seek staff recommendations
Can’t decide between tonkatsu (pork cutlet) or tempura? Ask the pros:
- おすすめは何ですか？
(Osusume wa nan desu ka)
“What do you recommend?”
Staff love sharing favorites, and you might discover a hidden gem. Follow up with:
- それをお願いします
(Sore o onegaishimasu)
“I’ll have that please.”
Ask for the bill
When you’re stuffed and satisfied, it’s time to pay. Catch the server with “すみません” (sumimasen) and ask:
- お会計をお願いします
(O-kaikei o onegaishimasu)
“Check please.”
If you’re in a group and want separate checks, the staff may ask “ご一緒ですか？”
(Goissho desu ka) — “Will you pay together?” Respond with:
- 別々に払います
(Betsu-betsu ni haraimasu)
“We’ll pay separately.” - まとめてお願いします
(Matomete onegaishimasu)
“One bill please.”
For handy money phrases, see our japanese-money-phrases.
Show meal gratitude
In Japan, it’s customary to say two key phrases:
- いただきます (itadakimasu)
“I humbly receive” — before eating. - ごちそうさまでした (gochisōsama deshita)
“Thank you for the meal” — after finishing.
A sincere “ごちそうさまでした” shows respect to the chefs and staff. For more polite closings, check japanese-thank-you-expressions.
Master pronunciation basics
Worried about sounding robotic? A few tips will help:
- Keep vowels short and crisp: a, i, u, e, o.
- Emphasize pitch, not stress—Japanese is a pitch-accent language.
- Link sounds naturally: “おねがいします” blends into “onegai-shimasu.”
For more on sounding like a local, explore our japanese-pronunciation-guide.
Follow dining etiquette
Phrases go hand in hand with manners. Remember:
- Don’t stick chopsticks upright in rice (looks like funeral incense).
- Use both hands to pass or receive dishes and money (Here There & Gone).
- Clear your own dishes in casual spots, and avoid eating while walking.
A little body language goes a long way—peek at our japanese-body-language tips.
Frequently asked questions
Q: How do I say “no spice please”?
A: 辛くしないでください (Kara ku shinai de kudasai).
Q: What if I can’t read kanji on the menu?
A: Point and say “これは何ですか？” (Kore wa nan desu ka) – “What is this?” (Byfood).
Q: Is tipping expected in Japan?
A: No, tipping isn’t customary—service is already top-notch.
Q: How can I ask for a high chair or child seat?
A: 子供用椅子はありますか？
(Kodomo-yō isu wa arimasu ka) – “Do you have a high chair?”
Q: What’s the polite way to decline a dish?
A: すみません、それは遠慮します
(Sumimasen, sore wa enryo shimasu) – “Thanks, but I’ll pass on that.”
With these phrases and tips in your pocket, you’re all set to tackle Tokyo’s restaurant scene with confidence. Enjoy your meal, and happy ordering!
