Entering the Restaurant
What to say when you walk in.
-
すみません
Sumimasen
Excuse me. (to get a server's attention)
-
ひとり です
Hitori desu
Just one person.
-
ふたり です
Futari desu
Two people.
-
カウンター で いいですか？
Kauntaa de ii desu ka?
Is the counter okay?
-
まちます
Machimasu
I'll wait.
-
よやく して います
Yoyaku shite imasu
I have a reservation.
Ordering Food
Point at the menu and add one of these.
-
これ ください
Kore kudasai
This one, please.
-
おすすめ は なんですか？
Osusume wa nan desu ka?
What do you recommend?
-
おまかせ で
Omakase de
Chef's choice.
-
ひとつ ください
Hitotsu kudasai
One, please.
-
ふたつ ください
Futatsu kudasai
Two, please.
-
おなじ もの ください
Onaji mono kudasai
The same as that, please.
Allergies & Dietary
Tap on the row that matches you. Show the Japanese to staff.
-
〇〇 アレルギー です
Marumaru arerugii desu
I'm allergic to ___.
-
にく は たべません
Niku wa tabemasen
I don't eat meat.
-
ぶたにく は たべません
Buta-niku wa tabemasen
I don't eat pork.
-
さかな は たべません
Sakana wa tabemasen
I don't eat fish.
-
こむぎ は たべられません
Komugi wa taberaremasen
I can't eat wheat (gluten).
-
からく しないで ください
Karaku shinai de kudasai
Please don't make it spicy.
Paying & Leaving
In Japan you usually pay at the front, not at the table.
-
おかいけい おねがい します
O-kaikei onegai shimasu
The check, please.
-
カード つかえますか？
Kaado tsukaemasu ka?
Can I use a card?
-
PayPay つかえますか？
PayPay tsukaemasu ka?
Can I use PayPay?
-
べつべつ で おねがいします
Betsubetsu de onegai shimasu
Separate checks, please.
-
ごちそうさま でした
Gochisousama deshita
Thank you for the meal. (when leaving)
-
ありがとう ございました
Arigatou gozaimashita
Thank you very much.
When Something Goes Wrong
Stay polite — staff will work hard to help.
-
えいご の メニュー ありますか？
Eigo no menyuu arimasu ka?
Is there an English menu?
-
すみません、わかりません
Sumimasen, wakarimasen
Sorry, I don't understand.
-
もう いちど おねがいします
Mou ichido onegai shimasu
Once more, please.
-
ゆっくり おねがいします
Yukkuri onegai shimasu
More slowly, please.
-
みず ください
Mizu kudasai
Water, please.
-
トイレ どこですか？
Toire doko desu ka?
Where is the bathroom?
Three things to know
- You don't tip in Japan. The number on the bill is the number you pay. Tipping can confuse staff.
- Pay at the front. Bring your receipt or food ticket to the register near the door, not to your table.
- Slurping is fine — phone calls aren't. Slurping noodles is a compliment. Loud phone calls inside a restaurant are not.