When visiting Japan or dining at a Japanese restaurant, knowing some basic phrases can greatly enhance your experience. Here are essential Japanese phrases for dining and restaurants, along with their meanings and example sentences.
メニュー (menyū) means “menu.”
メニューを見せてください。
This phrase is used to ask to see the menu.
注文 (chūmon) means “order.”
注文をお願いします。
Use this when you’re ready to order your food.
お勧め (osusume) means “recommendation.”
お勧めは何ですか？
This is useful when you want to ask for recommendations.
水 (mizu) means “water.”
水をもう一杯ください。
You can use this phrase when asking for more water.
ビール (bīru) means “beer.”
ビールを二つください。
Order a beer by using this phrase.
乾杯 (kanpai) means “cheers.”
みんな、乾杯しよう！
This is typically said before drinking in a toast.
箸 (hashi) means “chopsticks.”
箸をお願いします。
Ask for chopsticks with this phrase if they are not already provided.
フォーク (fōku) means “fork.”
フォークを使ってもいいですか？
Use this if you prefer a fork over chopsticks.
味 (aji) means “taste” or “flavor.”
この料理の味はどうですか？
You might hear this when someone asks how the food tastes.
辛い (karai) means “spicy.”
もっと辛い料理はありますか？
Use this if you’re inquiring about spicier dish options.
甘い (amai) means “sweet.”
このデザートは甘すぎます。
This phrase can be used if you find a dessert too sweet.
美味しい (oishii) means “delicious.”
この寿司は本当に美味しいです！
Express your enjoyment of the food with this phrase.
追加 (tsuika) means “additional.”
追加でご飯をお願いします。
Ask for an additional serving of rice or any other item with this phrase.
別々に (betsubetsu ni) means “separately.”
別々に支払いたいです。
Use this if you and your dining companions wish to pay separately.
お会計 (okaikei) means “check” or “bill.”
お会計をお願いします。
Say this when you’re ready to pay the bill.
サービス料 (sābisu-ryō) means “service charge.”
サービス料は含まれていますか？
Inquire whether a service charge is included with this phrase.
チップ (chippu) means “tip.”
日本ではチップを払う必要はありません。
Understand that tipping is not customary in Japan with this information.
予約 (yoyaku) means “reservation.”
予約をしたいのですが。
Use this when you would like to make a reservation.
席 (seki) means “seat” or “table.”
窓側の席にしてもらえますか？
Request a table by the window with this phrase.
禁煙席 (kin’en seki) means “non-smoking seat.”
禁煙席をお願いします。
Request a non-smoking area if you prefer it.
喫煙席 (kitsuen seki) means “smoking seat.”
喫煙席はありますか？
Ask if there is a smoking section available.
料理 (ryōri) means “cuisine” or “dish.”
和食の料理を食べたいです。
Use this when specifying the type of cuisine you wish to eat.
By familiarizing yourself with these phrases, you’ll be able to navigate dining in Japan or at a Japanese restaurant much more smoothly. Enjoy your meal, or as they say in Japanese, 召し上がれ (meshiagare)!
