How to Order Food in Japanese Language: Essential Tips Before Going to Japan
Japan is a paradise for food lovers, offering everything from sushi and ramen to izakaya delights. Whether you're traveling or living there, knowing how to order food in Japanese can greatly enhance your dining experience and connect with local people. This guide will help you with essential phrases and tips to help you confidently communicate in Japanese restaurants and enjoy your meals like a local.
1. Essential Vocabulary for Ordering Food
Before stepping into a Japanese restaurant, familiarize yourself with some key vocabulary:
| English | Japanese | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Menu | メニュー | Menyū |
| Dish | 料理 | Ryōri |
| Check, please | お会計お願いします | O kaikei onegaishimasu |
| Chicken | 鶏肉 | Toriniku |
| Beef | 牛肉 | Gyūniku |
| Fish | 魚 | Sakana |
| Pork | 豚肉 | Butaniku |
| Egg | 卵 | Tamago |
| Duck | 鴨肉 | Kamoniku |
| Rice | ご飯 | Gohan |
| Excuse me | すみません | Sumimasen |
| Chopstick | 箸 | Hashi |
| Forks | フォーク | Fōku |
| Spoon | スプーン | Supūn |
Cultural Tips:
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Politeness is crucial in Japan; always say "please" (お願いします, onegaishimasu) when making requests.
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Avoid pointing at the menu or food; instead, try to say the name of the dish.
2. Useful Phrases for Ordering
| English | Japanese | Pronunciation |
| I’d like to order [dish] | [dish]をお願いします | [dish] o onegaishimasu |
| I’d like to order chicken | 鶏肉をお願いします | Toriniku o onegaishimasu |
| What do you recommend? | おすすめは何ですか | Osusume wa nan desu ka? |
| Do you have vegetarian options? | ベジタリアン料理はありますか | Bejitarian ryōri wa arimasu ka |
| Does this dish contain beef? | この料理に牛肉が入っていますか | Kono ryōri ni gyūniku ga haitte imasu ka |
| No meat, please | 肉抜きでお願いします | Niku nuki de onegaishimasu |
| Can I have it with egg? | 卵を入れてもらえますか | Tamago o irete moraemasu ka |
3. Dining Etiquette in Japan
Dining in Japan comes with its own set of etiquettes:
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Chopsticks: Never stick them upright in rice, as this resembles a funeral ritual.
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Paying the Bill: Pay at the counter instead of leaving money at the table. Tipping is not customary.
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Thank You: After finishing your meal, say "ごちそうさまでした" (gochisousama deshita), which means "Thank you for the meal."
4. Real-Life Scenarios
Here are some detailed scenarios to help you practice and immerse yourself in different dining experiences:
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At a Sushi Bar:
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I’d like to order tuna sushi.
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まぐろ寿司をお願いします
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maguro sushi o onegaishimasu.
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Ordering Ramen at a Shop:
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Can I have pork ramen?
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豚肉ラーメンをお願いします
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butaniku raamen o onegaishimasu.
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At a Dessert Cafe:
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What’s the most popular dessert here?
-
ここで一番人気のデザートは何ですか
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koko de ichiban ninki no dezaato wa nan desu ka?
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Ordering food in Japanese is a practical and rewarding skill that enriches your experience of Japanese culture. Practice these phrases before your next trip to Japan. For more comprehensive learning, try Berlitz Thailand Online Japanese lessons with a native instructor. Take advantage of our free 20-minute trial session to experience personalized learning and boost your confidence in real-life situations. Learn Japanese the practical way with Berlitz Thailand!
