01
いらっしゃいませ。何名様ですか？
Irasshaimase. Nanmei-sama desu ka?
"Welcome! How many people are in your party?"
Grammar: Formal restaurant greeting with respectful people counter 'nanmei-sama'
Dining & Food
Japanese Restaurant Phrases: How to Order Food & Pay
Navigate Japanese restaurants confidently with essential ordering phrases and dining etiquette. Learn how to ask for recommendations, order set meals, request drinks, and pay the bill like a local. Complete guide to restaurant vocabulary, polite expressions, and cultural dining customs in Japan.
Understanding Japanese Restaurant Culture and Dining Customs
You're dining at a Japanese restaurant and need to communicate with staff to order food, ask about menu items, and complete your meal experience
Essential Japanese Restaurant Phrases for Ordering and Dining
02
一人です。
Hitori desu.
"One person, please."
Grammar: Simple people counter response using 'hitori' for one person
03
少々お待ちください。
Shōshō omachi kudasai.
"Please wait a moment."
Grammar: Polite request for patience using formal 'shōshō' (a little while)
04
こちらへどうぞ。
Kochira e dōzo.
"This way, please."
Grammar: Direction guidance using 'kochira e' (this way) + invitation 'dōzo'
05
ご注文はお決まりですか？
Gochūmon wa okimari desu ka?
"Are you ready to order?"
Grammar: Formal service inquiry using respectful 'go-' prefix and polite 'okimari'
06
おすすめは何ですか？
Osusume wa nan desu ka?
"What do you recommend?"
Grammar: Recommendation inquiry using topic marker 'wa' + question word 'nan'
07
はい、天ぷら定食をお願いします。
Hai, tenpura teishoku o onegaishimasu.
"Yes, I'd like the tempura set meal."
Grammar: Polite ordering pattern using object marker 'o' + 'onegaishimasu'
08
かしこまりました。お飲み物はいかがですか？
Kashikomarimashita. Onomimono wa ikaga desu ka?
"Certainly. Would you like something to drink?"
Grammar: Formal acknowledgment + polite suggestion using 'ikaga desu ka'
09
ビールをお願いします。
Bīru o onegaishimasu.
"I'd like a beer, please."
Grammar: Simple beverage order using standard polite request pattern
10
お会計をお願いします。
O-kaikei o onegaishimasu.
"Could I have the bill, please?"
Grammar: Bill request using polite 'o-' prefix + standard request pattern
11
ごちそうさまでした。
Gochisōsama deshita.
"Thank you for the meal, it was delicious."
Grammar: Essential post-meal gratitude expression showing cultural appreciation
Japanese Restaurant Etiquette and Dining Culture Guide
Japanese restaurant service follows strict protocols of politeness and efficiency. Staff use highly formal language (keigo) and expect customers to respond appropriately. Understanding these language levels shows respect and enhances your dining experience.
The phrase 'Irasshaimase' is a formal welcome that doesn't require a response from customers. Staff will often call this out when you enter, and simply nodding or saying 'konnichiwa' is sufficient acknowledgment.
Set meals (teishoku) are popular in Japan and provide balanced nutrition with rice, miso soup, pickles, and a main dish. They're economical, filling, and perfect for trying authentic Japanese home-style cooking.
Asking for recommendations (osusume) is not only acceptable but appreciated by restaurant staff. They take pride in their specialties and enjoy helping customers discover the best dishes.
The closing phrase 'Gochisōsama deshita' expresses gratitude for the meal and the effort put into preparing it. It's considered essential etiquette and shows cultural understanding and appreciation.
Key Japanese Grammar Patterns for Restaurant Communication
[food/drink]をお願いしますpolite
Polite ordering pattern using 'o onegaishimasu' - the standard way to request items
Essential phrase for ordering any food or drink item in restaurants
おすすめは何ですか？polite
Recommendation inquiry pattern asking 'What do you recommend?'
Perfect for getting local recommendations and trying popular dishes
ご注文はお決まりですか？polite
Service staff pattern asking if you're ready to order using formal keigo
What waiters typically ask when approaching your table
お飲み物はいかがですか？polite
Beverage offer pattern using polite suggestion form 'ikaga desu ka'
Standard way staff offer drinks after taking food orders
かしこまりましたpolite
Formal acknowledgment meaning 'Certainly/Understood' used by service staff
Professional response staff give when taking your order
Complete Japanese Restaurant and Food Vocabulary
| Japanese | Romaji | English | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| いらっしゃいませ | irasshaimase | welcome (formal greeting) | Service |
| 店員 | ten'in | store clerk/waiter | Service |
| ウェイター | weitā | waiter | Service |
| ウェイトレス | weitoresu | waitress | Service |
| 注文 | chūmon | order | Ordering |
| メニュー | menyū | menu | Ordering |
| おすすめ | osusume | recommendation | Ordering |
| 今日の特別 | kyō no tokubetsu | today's special | Ordering |
| 定食 | teishoku | set meal | Ordering |
| 主菜 | shusai | main dish | Food Types |
| 前菜 | zensai | appetizer | Food Types |
| デザート | dezāto | dessert | Food Types |
| 天ぷら | tenpura | tempura | Food Types |
| 寿司 | sushi | sushi | Food Types |
| 刺身 | sashimi | sashimi | Food Types |
| 焼き魚 | yakizakana | grilled fish | Food Types |
| 唐揚げ | karaage | fried chicken | Food Types |
| 飲み物 | nomimono | beverage/drink | Beverages |
| ビール | bīru | beer | Beverages |
| 日本酒 | nihonshu | sake (Japanese rice wine) | Beverages |
| 焼酎 | shōchū | shochu (distilled spirit) | Beverages |
| 緑茶 | ryokuchā | green tea | Beverages |
| 水 | mizu | water | Beverages |
| ソフトドリンク | sofuto dorinku | soft drink | Beverages |
| 会計 | kaikei | bill/payment | Payment |
| 領収書 | ryōshūsho | receipt | Payment |
| 現金 | genkin | cash | Payment |
| カード | kādo | card | Payment |
| 別々 | betsubetsu | separately | Payment |
| 席 | seki | seat | Seating |
| 個室 | koshitsu | private room | Seating |
| 禁煙 | kin'en | non-smoking | Seating |
| 喫煙 | kitsuen | smoking | Seating |
| 一名 | ichimei | one person (formal) | Numbers |
| 二名 | nimei | two people (formal) | Numbers |
| 何名 | nanmei | how many people (formal) | Numbers |
| 一人 | hitori | one person | Numbers |
| 二人 | futari | two people | Numbers |
| ごちそうさまでした | gochisōsama deshita | thank you for the meal | Expressions |
| いただきます | itadakimasu | said before eating | Expressions |
| 少々お待ちください | shōshō omachi kudasai | please wait a moment | Expressions |
| かしこまりました | kashikomarimashita | certainly/understood | Expressions |
| ベジタリアン | bejitarian | vegetarian | Dietary |
| アレルギー | arerugī | allergy | Dietary |
| 辛い | karai | spicy | Dietary |
| 甘い | amai | sweet | Dietary |
Practical Tips for Confident Japanese Restaurant Dining
Cultural
Set Meals (Teishoku) Are Perfect for Beginners
Teishoku set meals provide a complete, balanced Japanese dining experience with rice, miso soup, pickles, and a main dish. They're economical, authentic, and eliminate guesswork about what to order.
Tip
Don't Tip - It's Not Expected
Tipping is not customary in Japan and can actually cause confusion or embarrassment. Excellent service is standard and included in the price. Simply pay the exact amount shown on the bill.
Watch Out
Avoid Pointing at Menu Items
Instead of pointing, use phrases like 'kore o onegaishimasu' (this one, please) while indicating the item politely. Direct pointing can seem rude in Japanese culture.
Example:Better: これをお願いします (kore o onegaishimasu) while gently indicating the menu item
Cultural
Water Is Usually Free and Automatic
Most Japanese restaurants automatically provide free water (sometimes tea) when you sit down. You don't need to request it, and refills are typically offered without asking.
Tip
Call Staff with 'Sumimasen'
To get a waiter's attention, say 'sumimasen' (excuse me) politely. Many restaurants also have call buttons at tables, which is perfectly normal to use.
Watch Out
Don't Say 'Arigato' to 'Irasshaimase'
The formal greeting 'Irasshaimase' doesn't require a response. A simple nod or 'konnichiwa' is sufficient. Saying 'arigato gozaimasu' can sound awkward.
Example:Irasshaimase! → [nod] or こんにちは (konnichiwa)
More Japanese Conversation Guides
Basic Conversations
Japanese Greetings and Self-Introduction Phrases
Learn more →
Shopping & Daily LifeHow to Order Coffee & Onigiri at Japanese Convenience Stores
Learn more →
Social ConversationsHow to Talk About the Weather in Japanese
Learn more →
Travel & NavigationHow to Ask for Directions in Japanese
Learn more →