25 Essential Japanese Restaurant Phrases for Confident Dining

Published: November 11, 2025 | Reading Time: 10 minutes

Japanese food is famous around the world, and eating out in Japan is a unique experience. Whether you're at a small sushi bar or a lively izakaya, using the right phrases can turn your meal into a real cultural exchange. Even though many places in tourist areas have English menus and staff who speak some English, learning a few key phrases shows respect and can help you get better service, useful recommendations, and more memorable moments with the chefs and staff.

A customer asking a Japanese waiter for a recommendation using, Osusume.
Figure 1: Use Osusume when asking for a recommendation.

On This Page

1. Why Restaurant Phrases Matter 2. Entering & Getting Seated 3. Ordering Food & Drinks 4. Dietary Restrictions & Special Requests 5. During Your Meal 6. Paying & Leaving 7. Restaurant Etiquette Tips 8. Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why Restaurant Phrases Matter

Dining etiquette is really important in Japanese culture. Using the right phrases shows you understand and respect these customs. More practically, these phrases help you when English isn't available and make sure you get what you want (or avoid what you don't want).

"Itadakimasu" before eating and "Gochisousama deshita" after aren't just phrases—they're ways of showing gratitude that connect you to Japanese food culture.

These phrases work everywhere from casual ramen shops to fancy kaiseki restaurants. The formality level is already built in, so you can use them confidently anywhere.

2. Entering & Getting Seated

First impressions matter. These phrases help you make a reservation, tell them how many people you have, and get seated without any trouble.

  • 予約をお願いします
    Yoyaku o onegaishimasu
    I'd like to make a reservation, please

    Call ahead for popular restaurants. Many take reservations online, but this phrase helps when you're calling.

  • 二名です
    Ni-mei desu
    Party of two

    Replace "ni" (two) with: ichi (1), san (3), yon (4), go (5), roku (6). Add "-mei" after the number to indicate people.

  • 禁煙席をお願いします
    Kin'en seki o onegaishimasu
    Non-smoking seat, please

    While smoking sections are becoming less common, some izakayas still have them. For smoking: "Kitsuen seki" (喫煙席).

  • 窓側の席はありますか?
    Madogawa no seki wa arimasu ka?
    Do you have a window seat?

    Perfect for restaurants with views. You can also ask for "Kaunta- seki" (counter seat) at sushi bars.

Cultural Note: "Irasshaimase!"

When you walk into most Japanese restaurants, the staff will greet you with a cheerful "Irasshaimase!" (いらっしゃいませ - Welcome!). You don't need to say anything back—just smile and nod a bit. This is standard greeting, not a question that needs an answer.

3. Ordering Food & Drinks

These are your go-to ordering phrases. When you combine them with pointing at a menu or picture, you'll be able to order anything with confidence.

  • メニューをお願いします
    Menyuu o onegaishimasu
    Menu, please

    Some restaurants bring menus automatically, but this is helpful when they don't.

  • おすすめは何ですか?
    Osusume wa nan desu ka?
    What do you recommend?

    A great way to find out what's special at the restaurant. Staff recommendations are usually really good.

  • これをお願いします
    Kore o onegaishimasu
    This one, please

    The universal ordering phrase. Point at the menu item and say this.

  • 同じものをください
    Onaji mono o kudasai
    The same thing, please

    Useful when your companion orders something that looks delicious.

  • お水をください
    O-mizu o kudasai
    Water, please

    Most restaurants provide free water. You can also request "Ocha" (green tea) at many casual restaurants.

  • ビールを二つください
    Biiru o futatsu kudasai
    Two beers, please
    Numbers for ordering: hitotsu (1), futatsu (2), mittsu (3), yottsu (4), itsutsu (5)

    Replace "biiru" with any drink: sake, wain (wine), uisukii (whiskey), kohii (coffee).

Building Restaurant Vocabulary

Reading Japanese menus gets much easier when you can recognize common kanji and food words. Regular exposure to real Japanese content helps you naturally pick up food terms, seasonal ingredients, and cooking methods you'll see on menus.

Reading tools like YoMoo give you daily articles about Japanese food culture, restaurant reviews, and seasonal ingredients—exactly the vocabulary you need for confident dining.

4. Dietary Restrictions & Special Requests

Telling people about allergies and dietary restrictions is really important. Vegetarian and vegan options can be tricky in Japan, but these phrases help you stay safe and get what you need.

  • アレルギーがあります
    Arerugii ga arimasu
    I have an allergy

    Follow with the ingredient: "Ebi ni arerugii ga arimasu" (I'm allergic to shrimp). Common allergens: tamago (egg), gyuunyuu (milk), komugi (wheat), soba, piinattsu (peanuts).

  • ___は食べられません
    ___ wa taberaremasen
    I cannot eat ___

    More general than saying you have an allergy. Fill in with: niku (meat), sakana (fish), buta (pork), gyu (beef).

  • ベジタリアンです
    Bejitarian desu
    I'm vegetarian

    Note: Many Japanese dishes use dashi (fish stock). You may need to specify "Dashi mo dame desu" (No dashi either).

  • 辛くないものはありますか?
    Karakunai mono wa arimasu ka?
    Do you have anything not spicy?

    Japanese food isn't typically very spicy, but some dishes (like curry or certain ramen) can be.

  • 少なめでお願いします
    Sukuname de onegaishimasu
    A small portion, please

    For "large portion": "Oomori de onegaishimasu" (大盛りでお願いします).

Important for Allergies

If you have serious allergies, think about carrying an allergy card in Japanese that clearly lists what you're allergic to. Many websites offer free printable versions. Show this to staff when you order to make sure they understand and can keep you safe.

5. During Your Meal

These phrases help you enjoy your meal fully and talk with staff throughout your time at the restaurant.

  • いただきます
    Itadakimasu
    Thank you for this meal (said before eating)

    One of the most important Japanese phrases. Say this before you start eating. It shows gratitude for the food and everyone who made it possible.

  • おいしいです
    Oishii desu
    It's delicious

    A simple compliment that always brings smiles. In casual settings, you can just say "Oishii!"

  • すみません
    Sumimasen
    Excuse me

    Your go-to phrase for getting a server's attention. Never snap your fingers or wave frantically—a polite "Sumimasen" with eye contact works great.

  • お箸をください
    O-hashi o kudasai
    Chopsticks, please

    Replace "hashi" with: foku (fork), spuun (spoon), naifu (knife), oshibori (wet towel), napukin (napkin).

  • もう一度お願いします
    Mou ichido onegaishimasu
    One more, please / Again, please

    Perfect for ordering another round of drinks or another serving of your favorite dish.

6. Paying & Leaving

In Japan, you usually pay at the register near the exit instead of at your table. These phrases help you handle payment smoothly.

  • お会計をお願いします
    O-kaikei o onegaishimasu
    Check, please

    You can also make an "X" gesture with your index fingers as a universal sign. Many restaurants have you pay at the front register rather than at the table.

  • クレジットカードは使えますか?
    Kurejitto kaado wa tsukaemasu ka?
    Can I use a credit card?

    While more and more places take cards, some smaller restaurants are still cash-only. Always good to check first.

  • 別々でお願いします
    Betsu-betsu de onegaishimasu
    Separate checks, please

    Splitting bills isn't as common in Japan, and some restaurants may not accommodate this. It's easier to have one person pay and settle up later.

  • ごちそうさまでした
    Gochisousama deshita
    Thank you for the meal (said after eating)

    The companion phrase to "Itadakimasu." Say this when you're done eating and especially when leaving. It's a respectful way to show your appreciation.

  • ありがとうございました
    Arigatou gozaimashita
    Thank you very much (past tense)

    Say this as you leave. The past tense (-mashita) is used because the service has been completed.

Tipping Culture in Japan

Tipping isn't done in Japan and can actually be seen as rude or confusing. Great service is expected as the standard. If you try to leave a tip, staff might even run after you thinking you forgot your change! Show appreciation through your words instead: "Oishikatta desu" (It was delicious) and "Arigatou gozaimashita" mean way more than money.

7. Restaurant Etiquette Tips

Beyond phrases, understanding basic restaurant etiquette will help you feel more confident and avoid accidentally breaking cultural rules.

Do:

  • Wait to be seated—don't choose your own table
  • Say "Itadakimasu" before eating
  • Slurp your noodles—it's a compliment!
  • Use the serving chopsticks (tori-bashi) for shared dishes
  • Place your chopsticks on the holder between bites
  • Pay at the register, not at the table

Don't:

  • Stick chopsticks upright in rice (funeral ritual)
  • Pass food chopstick-to-chopstick (funeral ritual)
  • Pour soy sauce directly on rice
  • Talk loudly—Japanese restaurants are typically quiet
  • Leave a tip
  • Walk around while eating

8. Frequently Asked Questions

For popular restaurants, high-end establishments, and small places with limited seating (especially sushi counters), reservations are highly recommended and sometimes required. Casual restaurants like ramen shops and chain restaurants don't typically require reservations. During peak dining hours (12-1 PM, 6-8 PM), even casual places may have waits.

Look for credit card logos displayed near the entrance or on the door. Major chains and larger restaurants in cities almost always accept cards, but smaller, family-run restaurants may be cash-only. When in doubt, ask "Kurejitto kaado wa tsukaemasu ka?" before ordering. It's always wise to carry cash (yen) as a backup.

"Itadakimasu" (いただきます) is said before eating and means "I humbly receive." "Gochisousama deshita" (ごちそうさまでした) is said after finishing your meal and means "Thank you for the feast." Both express gratitude—the first anticipates the meal, the second thanks everyone involved in providing it. These phrases are fundamental to Japanese dining culture and should be used at every meal.

While finishing your food shows appreciation, it's not considered severely rude to leave some if you're genuinely full. However, taking only what you can finish is valued—Japanese culture emphasizes not wasting food. If portions are large, you can request "sukuname" (smaller portion) when ordering. In high-end kaiseki restaurants, it's especially appreciated when you finish everything as it's carefully portioned.

Carry a printed allergy card in Japanese listing your specific allergens. Use phrases like "___ni arerugii ga arimasu" (I'm allergic to ___). Be aware that vegetarian and vegan options can be limited, as many dishes contain dashi (fish stock). Communicate clearly and consider researching restaurants in advance that cater to your dietary needs. Apps and websites like Happy Cow can help find suitable restaurants.

Many restaurants have picture menus or plastic food displays outside. Point and say "Kore o onegaishimasu" (This one, please). You can also ask "Osusume wa nan desu ka?" (What do you recommend?). Translation apps with camera features can help read menus. Don't be shy—staff are usually happy to help, and pointing is perfectly acceptable and common.

Final Thoughts

Dining in Japan is about more than just food—it's a cultural experience full of respect, gratitude, and attention to detail. Master "Itadakimasu," "Gochisousama deshita," and "Sumimasen," and you'll be able to handle any restaurant with confidence. The effort you make to speak Japanese, even if it's not perfect, will be really appreciated and often rewarded with warm service and memorable moments.