Phrasebook / Eating out
Japanese Phrases for Restaurants and Eating Out
Many restaurants have picture menus or plastic food displays, so pointing and saying これをお願いします will often get you what you want. The phrases here matter most when you have an allergy or dietary need, or when you need to get a server's attention.
9 useful phrases
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Two people
二人です
ふたりです · futari desu
One: 一人 hitori · Three: 三人 sannin · Four: 四人 yonin.
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Do you have an English menu?
英語のメニューはありますか？
えいごのメニューはありますか？ · eigo no menyū wa arimasu ka?
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What do you recommend?
おすすめは何ですか？
おすすめはなんですか？ · osusume wa nan desu ka?
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I'll have this, please
これをお願いします
これをおねがいします · kore o onegaishimasu
Point at the menu or plastic display.
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I'm allergic to ___
___のアレルギーがあります
___のアレルギーがあります · ___ no arerugī ga arimasu
Peanuts 落花生 · Shellfish 甲殻類 · Wheat 小麦 · Egg 卵 · Milk 乳
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Does this contain meat or fish?
これに肉や魚は入っていますか？
これににくやさかなははいっていますか？ · kore ni niku ya sakana wa haitte imasu ka?
Dashi stock is usually fish-based, even in vegetable dishes.
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The bill, please
お会計お願いします
おかいけいおねがいします · okaikei onegaishimasu
Pay at the register by the door. No tipping.
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Can I pay by card?
カードで払えますか？
カードではらえますか？ · kādo de haraemasu ka?
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Thank you for the meal (leaving)
ごちそうさまでした
ごちそうさまでした · gochisōsama deshita
Say it on the way out. Staff will love it.
Good to know
Allergies and dietary needs
Show the phrase in writing and add the ingredient from the tip on the card. Fish stock (dashi) turns up in many dishes that look vegetarian, so ask directly and do not rely on how a dish looks. A phrase cannot guarantee a kitchen is free of an allergen, so if your allergy is severe, consider carrying a fuller translated allergy card as well.
How ordering and paying work
Staff usually greet you with いらっしゃいませ, which does not need a reply. Call them with すみません or the button on the table. At many ramen and casual shops you buy a ticket from a machine at the door and hand it over. To pay, take your bill to the register near the exit. Tipping is not part of the culture.
Cover charges at izakaya
Izakaya often bring a small starter you did not order, called お通し (otōshi). It usually appears on the bill as a table charge, so it is not a mistake.
Chopstick manners
Do not stand chopsticks upright in rice or pass food directly from one pair to another, as both are associated with funeral rites. Rest them on the holder or across your bowl when you pause.