Quick Answer
If you only learn three Japanese restaurant phrases before your trip, start with kore o kudasai for “this one, please,” osusume wa nan desu ka? for “what do you recommend?” and okaikei onegaishimasu for “the bill, please.” These phrases are short, polite, and useful in ramen shops, sushi restaurants, cafes, izakaya, and casual lunch spots.
You do not need perfect Japanese to eat well in Japan. In many situations, pointing at a menu, speaking calmly, and using one polite phrase is enough. This guide focuses on restaurant Japanese that travelers can actually use, not textbook sentences you will forget under pressure. For a wider phrase hub, see useful Japanese phrases for travelers.
Before You Sit Down
When you enter a restaurant in Japan, staff may greet you and ask how many people are in your group. If you are traveling alone, you can say hitori desu, meaning “one person.” For two people, say futari desu. Showing the number with your fingers is also completely fine.
In some restaurants, especially small ramen shops or casual lunch places, you may need to buy a meal ticket before sitting down. Look near the entrance for a ticket machine. If other customers are buying tickets first, follow that flow. Choose your item, pay at the machine, then hand the ticket to staff when you sit down or when they ask for it.
If there is no ticket machine, wait to be seated or follow staff instructions. At many casual restaurants, it is normal to call staff with sumimasen when you are ready to order. In this context, sumimasen means something like “excuse me,” not necessarily “I’m sorry.”
Essential Ordering Phrases
The easiest restaurant phrase is kore o kudasai. You can point to a menu item, food photo, plastic food display, or tablet screen while saying it. It is simple, polite, and useful almost anywhere.
- Kore o kudasai. This one, please.
- Kore to kore o onegaishimasu. This and this, please.
- Osusume wa nan desu ka? What do you recommend?
- Ninki wa dore desu ka? Which one is popular?
- Mizu o kudasai. Water, please.
- Menu o kudasai. The menu, please.
- Eigo no menu wa arimasu ka? Do you have an English menu?
Kudasai is a useful word for “please,” but tone matters. Say it gently, not like a command. If you want to understand the nuance more clearly, read kudasai in Japanese.
How to Ask for Recommendations
If you are not sure what to order, osusume wa nan desu ka? is one of the best phrases to know. It means “what do you recommend?” Staff may point to a popular dish, the house specialty, or a seasonal item. You do not need to understand every word of the answer if they can show you the item on the menu.
Another practical phrase is ninki wa dore desu ka?, meaning “which one is popular?” This is especially useful at casual restaurants with many similar-looking menu items. If you are nervous, you can simply point to the menu and ask, osusume? Staff will usually understand from the situation.
When You Cannot Read the Menu
Menus in Japan often include photos, but not always. If you cannot read the menu, point to an item and ask kore wa nan desu ka?, meaning “what is this?” If the explanation is too difficult, you can ask whether it is meat, fish, spicy, or sweet.
- Kore wa nan desu ka? What is this?
- Karai desu ka? Is it spicy?
- Niku wa haitte imasu ka? Does it contain meat?
- Sakana wa haitte imasu ka? Does it contain fish?
- Yasai desu ka? Is it vegetables?
For serious allergies, religious dietary restrictions, or medical needs, do not rely only on spoken Japanese. Small restaurants may not be able to confirm every ingredient or cooking process. A translated allergy card or written explanation is safer and clearer.
Ordering Drinks
At izakaya and some restaurants, staff may ask about drinks before food. If you want beer, you can say biiru o kudasai. If you want water, say mizu o kudasai. Many restaurants serve water or tea automatically, but not all do.
- Biiru o kudasai. Beer, please.
- Ocha o kudasai. Tea, please.
- Mizu o kudasai. Water, please.
- Koohii o kudasai. Coffee, please.
If you are with other people and raising glasses, you may hear kanpai, meaning “cheers.” It is useful in casual dining and izakaya settings, but you do not need to use it for an ordinary solo meal.
Useful Replies to Staff Questions
Restaurant staff may ask short questions about seating, drinks, size, or options. You do not need a long answer. These three replies are especially useful.
- Hai. Yes.
- Onegaishimasu. Yes, please / please do.
- Daijoubu desu. I’m okay / no thank you.
Daijoubu desu depends on context. If staff offer something and you do not need it, it usually means “no thank you.” If staff ask whether something is okay and you accept it, daijoubu desu can mean “that’s fine.” When in doubt, use a gesture with the phrase: a small nod for yes, or a small hand wave for no.
Paying the Bill
The most useful payment phrase is okaikei onegaishimasu, meaning “the bill, please.” In many casual restaurants, staff leave a bill slip at your table. You take that slip to the register near the exit. In other places, especially small counter shops, you pay directly at the counter after eating. In ticket-machine restaurants, you usually paid before the meal.
- Okaikei onegaishimasu. The bill, please.
- Kaado wa tsukaemasu ka? Can I use a card?
- Genkin de haraimasu. I will pay in cash.
- Ryoushuusho o kudasai. Receipt, please.
Do not leave cash on the table unless the restaurant clearly uses that system. Tipping is not expected in ordinary Japanese restaurants. A polite thank-you, a small nod, and gochisousama deshita are more natural than adding extra money.
After Eating: What to Say When Leaving
After finishing a meal, say gochisousama deshita. It means something close to “thank you for the meal,” but it also carries a feeling of appreciation for the food and the people who prepared it. It is very natural when leaving a small restaurant, ramen counter, sushi shop, or casual family-run place.
Before eating, the matching phrase is itadakimasu. After eating, use gochisousama deshita. You do not need to say it loudly. A calm voice as you leave is enough.
Common Mistakes Travelers Make
One common mistake is speaking too loudly because you feel nervous. Japanese restaurants can be lively, but you usually do not need to raise your voice across the room. A clear sumimasen and eye contact are enough when calling staff.
Another mistake is assuming every restaurant has English support. Tourist-heavy areas often do, but local shops may not. That does not mean travelers are unwelcome. It simply means pointing, photos, and short phrases become more useful.
A third mistake is using casual anime-style Japanese with staff. Restaurant interactions are service situations, so simple polite Japanese works better. You do not need to sound fluent. You need to be clear and respectful.
Restaurant Type Tips
Ramen Shops
Ramen shops are often fast. Check for a ticket machine before sitting down. If staff ask about noodle firmness or options, futsuu de onegaishimasu means “regular, please.” For more detail, read how to order ramen in Japanese.
Sushi Counters
At sushi counters, pointing and short phrases are usually enough. If you do not know the fish names, order from a set menu or ask for the recommendation. Avoid touching sushi on the display or reaching across the counter unless the shop’s style clearly allows it.
Izakaya
At an izakaya, staff may ask for drinks first. Dishes are often shared, so order a few items and add more later. If you are not sure what to get, ask osusume wa nan desu ka?.
Cafes and Casual Chains
At cafes, you may order and pay at the counter before sitting down. Some places use tablets or QR-code menus. If there is an English option, use it. If not, photos and kore o kudasai still work well.
Simple Restaurant Script
You: Sumimasen.
Staff: Hai.
You: Kore to kore o onegaishimasu.
Staff: O-nomimono wa?
You: Mizu o kudasai.
After eating: Okaikei onegaishimasu.
When leaving: Gochisousama deshita.
This script is not perfect for every restaurant, but it covers a realistic flow: call staff, order by pointing, ask for water, request the bill, and leave politely.
Final Traveler Note
You do not need to memorize dozens of phrases before eating out in Japan. Start with sumimasen, kore o kudasai, osusume wa nan desu ka?, okaikei onegaishimasu, and gochisousama deshita. Add pointing, a calm voice, and a little patience. That combination will carry you through many meals.
FAQ
What is the most useful Japanese restaurant phrase?
Kore o kudasai, meaning “this one, please,” is one of the most useful. Point to the menu item while saying it.
How do I ask for the bill in Japanese?
Say okaikei onegaishimasu. In many restaurants, you then take the bill slip to the register near the exit.
Can I just point at the menu in Japan?
Yes. Pointing is common and usually understood, especially with photo menus. Adding kore o kudasai makes it more polite.
How do I ask for an English menu?
Say Eigo no menu wa arimasu ka? This means “do you have an English menu?”
What should I say after eating?
Say gochisousama deshita. It is a natural way to thank the staff and show appreciation for the meal.
Should I tip at restaurants in Japan?
No. Tipping is not expected in ordinary restaurants in Japan. A polite thank-you is usually better than leaving extra money.
