Order In a Japanese Restaurant

Learn how to order in a Japanese restaurant that is not in Japan. If you like Japanese food, you've come to the right place!

Steps

  1. See if the restaurant has an online menu. If it does, print it off and show it to people you know so they can perhaps explain it to you.
  2. Ask about prices. To do this, you say 'Kore wa ikura desu ka?' (pronounced korei wa ikura des ka?), which means "How much does this cost?"
  3. Learn numbers (so you will understand what they say or what is written on the menu): ichi (一)=1; ni (二)=2; san (三)=3; shi/yon (四)=4; go (五)=5; roku (六)=6; shichi/nana (七)=7; hachi (八)=8; kyuu (九)=9; juu (十)=10; hyaku (百)=100; and sen (千)=1000. You put the numbers together like this: 19 is 10 + 9 so it is juu-kyuu (十九). 90 is 9 sets of 10 so it is kyuu-juu (九十). So 198 is hyaku-kyuu-juu-hachi (百九十八); a mouthful, but break it down and it makes a lot of sense the way the Japanese do it. 1198 is sen-hyaku-kyuu-juu-hachi (千百九十八).
  4. Order your food. You can hail the staff by calling, "Onegaishimasu" (oh neh guy shee mas- meaning 'please') or "Sumimasen" (soo me masen- 'excuse me'). Many nicer restaurants also have a call button you can push to summon your waiter.
  5. Do your best to read and pronounce the menu items you want. If it's not working, you can also point and the staff should understand. If you have Japanese friends with you, either ask them to read it to you in advance or have them order.
  6. When specifying how much of something you want, remember these words. Hitotsu (one), futatsu (two), mittsu (three), yottsu (four), itsutsu (five), muttsu (six), nanatsu (seven), yatsu (eight), kokonotsu (nine), and Toh (ten). If you want more than ten of something, specify using normal numbers- juichi, juni, jusan, etc.
  7. After naming your menu item and how many of it you want, conclude your order with Onegaishimasu to be polite. If you are in a public fast food restaurant, use Kudasai. So it would sound like this. "Yakitori setto o hitotsu, kudasai." (One grilled chicken set, please.)
  8. When you have ordered and received your food, if you are asked 'Daijoubu desu ka?', answer 'Hai'. You were asked 'Is everything ok?' and you replied 'Yes'.
  9. Do not pass food between your chopsticks; this looks like you are in a funeral. Family members pass the bones of the dead relative between chopsticks. If you really have to pass some food, do it Discreetly Spit out Your Food and with the non-eating end of your chopsticks (if they are decorated, this is the decorated end).
  10. If you are eating noodles, slurp; it's normal.
  11. Don't stick your chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice. This is only done at funerals.
  12. Say 'itadakimasu' before eating; this means "I receive (this meal)".
  13. To express your pleasure at the end of the meal, say 'Gochisousama deshita' meaning "It was a feast." 'Oishikatta desu' means "It was tasty."
  14. It's a bit old fashioned, but very polite if after paying for your meal you tell the clerk, "Gochisousama deshita". In this context it serves as a thank you for the meal.



Tips

  • If on the other hand you're having a great time and would like some more, the word for refill is "Okawari". Remember your Onegaishimasu.
  • Before the meal make use of the wet towel you'll inevitably be given. It's to clean your hands before and throughout the meal.
  • It's okay to request a fork if you are uncomfortable using chopsticks.
  • It's extremely impolite to eat sushi with a fork. Among friends you can use your hands.
  • If you do go to Japan, don't try to write any of the words as shown here. They are spelled in the "Hepburn Romaji" system (phoneticized for English speakers), not the traditional "Kunrei-shiki Romaji" system that Japanese people use, so technically they are incorrect.
  • When in doubt, observe your company and those at the tables around.
  • Drink Japanese green tea or sake with your meal. It's more authentic and the Japanese might respect you more for trying to observe their customs while dining. If you don't like it and someone else at the table has a cup, ask to have a tiny sip (but do not finish the drink, they may refill it as per custom), so you don't get insulted for being too much of a 'gaijin' (foreigner).

Warnings

  • If you take home any leftovers, be aware that all raw fish should be eaten as soon as possible, and should either be cooked or thrown out after the first day.
  • Please be sure you are saying the words right so you don't offend someone. Listen closely to those around you to hear how they pronounce things.
  • Be familiar with the stranger parts of Japanese cuisine if you're not adventurous. That way if you happen across イか　(ika- squid) or なっとう　(nattou- fermented soybeans famous for their stink) on the menu, you can quietly and politely avoid them.
  • If Japanese people do not frequent the restaurant, it may not be well liked.

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