For SECOND-TIME visitors to Japan

24 Easy Phrases You Should Learn Before Dining-out in Japan

Master Japan's Dining Etiquette with These Common Phrases

When visiting Japan for the SECOND TIME, these phrases will help you understand menus, make specific requests and communicate with locals.

In a Restaurant

In a Bar / Izakaya

Common DINING OUT phrases

Back to ALL Japanese Phrases

8 Phrases to use in Restaurants

1. How large is it?

O-ki-sa Wa Dore-kurai Desu-ka?

More info

おおきさは、どれくらいですか？
O-ki-sa Wa Dore-kurai Desu-ka?

Size of dishes can vary from restaurant to restaurant in Japan. While portions are generally smaller compared to most other countries, if you are unsure of the amount of food you ordered or want to check, you can ask this phrase with the server and they will try to show the size with their hands.

2. Set Menu

Tei-sho-ku

More info

ていしょく

Tei-sho-ku

Many restaurants in Japan, especially Japanese cuisine restaurants, offer meal sets known as Teishoku. A set often includes a main dish along with rice, a soup, some appetizers, and a drink. The best thing about meal sets is that you are able to get a good bang for your buck, i.e. you’ll save money.

3. Daily Menu

Hi-ga-wa-ri Menu

More info

ひがわりメニュー　Hi-ga-wa-ri Menu

Restaurants in Japan often offer a ‘Daily Menu’ to provide variety to their customers and use seasonal or fresh ingredients. For example, a restaurant might serve a different type of curry or pasta each day so customers can enjoy something new and different each visit.

4. Is it free?

Mu-ryo-u Desu-ka?

More info

むりょうですか？
　Mu-ryo-u Desu-ka?

This is a very useful phrase for any restaurant you go to, as you can get clarity over what services/items are free. While things such as water or napkins are considered free in Japan, other things such as extra servings or additional sauce may cost extra. Either way, you can double check with the waiter by asking them this phrase!

5. Can we pay separately?

Be-tsu Be-tsu Ni Deki-masu-ka?

More info

別々にできますか？　
Be-tsu Be-tsu Ni Deki-masu-ka?

In most situations, the bill that is given to you at the end has the total amount written on it. In this case, especially if everyone ordered the same things, everyone splits the bill by dividing by the number of people who are there. However, if you prefer to have separate checks because people ordered different items, you can ask this phrase to the staff to see if they can split the check for you. Please do note, not every place can offer to do this, but you are always allowed to ask.

6. Please do not include Wasabi

Wasabi Nu-ki De One-gai-shima-su.

More info

わさびぬきで、おねがいします。
　Wasabi Nu-ki De One-gai-shima-su.

Wasabi is a type of garnish that is included on the side or within a menu item. Although many people enjoy the spicy, horseradish-like kick that accompanies wasabi, it is not for everyone. If you are someone who does not like wasabi, do not worry! You can make this request to the server when you order your meal if you want to have the wasabi removed from the dish you ordered.

7. Can I sit at the tables (chairs).

Tei-bu-ru Ga Ii-desu

More info

テーブルせきがいいです。　Te-bu-ru Ga Ii-desu

There are several different types of seating arrangements that Japanse restaurants have. Table and counter seating is the most common, but you’ll also come across places that have a horigodatsu.

8. Can I have Soy Milk?

To-nyu Ni Deki-masu-ka?

More info

とうにゅうに、できますか？　
To-nyu Ni Deki-masu-ka?

While veganism and vegetarianism are slowly gaining popularity in Japan, compared to many Western countries, vegan and vegetarian options are very limited. This is particularly true for alternative milk options. However, some places and cafes will have soy milk on-hand, in case you would like to use a non-dairy milk for your cup of coffee. Simply ask this question to the staff to see if they can switch out regular milk with soy milk!

6 Phrases to use in Bars & Izakayas

1. Is it Sweet? Is it Dry?

Ama-kuchi De-su-ka? Kara-kuchi De-su-ka?

More info

あまくちですか？からくちですか？
　Ama-kuchi De-su-ka? Kara-kuchi De-su-ka?

In addition to wine, sake and shochu are offered at almost every izakaya. Of course, they each are made differently and thus have different flavors and tastes. If you have a preference for sweet or dry tastes, you can ask this phrase to get confirmation from your server.

2. Mixed with Soda / Water or on the Rocks

So-da- / Mizu Wari / Rock

More info

ソーダー / みずかり
So-da- / Mizu Wari

Just like at any other bar or drinking establishment around the world, you can choose what to mix your drink with before it’s served to you which is called “wari”. In Japan, the most common ways to mix a drink is with soda, water (mizu), or ice (rock).

3. Hot Sake / Cold Sake

Atsu-kan / Rei-shu

More info

あつかん / れいしゅ
Atsu-kan / Rei-shu

While most sake are served at room temperature or cold (Rei-shu), it is possible to order warm sake (Atsu-kan), which is a popular option during the winter or on cold days. You will need to check if the option is available on the menu, however. If so, just make sure to say either of these words, depending if you want to drink warm or cold.

4. How long do I have left for my Nomi-ho-dai'?

Nomi-ho-dai Itsu-ma-de?

More info

のみほうだ、いいつまで？ Nomi-ho-dai Itsu-ma-de?

It is common for many izakayas in Japan to offer “Nomihodai”, or all-you-can-drink, options. While some places require you to make a reservation for a Nomihodai, some places offer it on the spot. Use this phrase to confirm if they can offer it to you. Nomihodai is usually given a time limit, and is often offered as 60 minutes, 90 minutes, 120 minutes, and 180 minutes options.

5. Can I smoke here?

Tabako Su-e-masu-ka?

More info

タバコすえますか？
Tabako Su-e-masu-ka?

This is a nicer way of asking if you can smoke in the izakaya.

6. Please get me a Taxi

Taku-shi- Yon-de-kuda-sai?

More info

タクシーをよんでください
Taku-shi- Yon-de-kuda-sai

You often have many transportation options to return to your hotel when you are finished drinking at a bar or izakaya. However, if you are drinking late into the night, most public transit systems will not be running, and the only way you can return to your hotel without walking will be by taxi. You can ask this phrase to the staff so they can call one for you. Depending on how busy is is that night, your taxi may come immediately or it may take some time for it to arrive.

10 Common Phrases to know before eating out in Japan

1. How long is the wait?

Nan-fun Machi-desu-ka?

More info

なんふんまちですか？
Nan-fun Machi-desu-ka?

Some places may near or at full-capacity. In this case, you can use this phrase to ask the restaurant staff how many minutes the wait is. It’s not unusual for some places to have hour-long wait times.

2. Phrase at the start of a meal

Ita-daki-masu

More info

いただきます
Ita-daki-masu

Every Japanese is familiar with this phrase, as it is often said at the beginning of every meal. It expressed gratitude for not just those who prepared the meal, but also for the various animals and vegetables/fruits that were used to prepare the meal.

3. Very Tasty!

To-te-mo Oi-shi-de-su

More info

とてもおいしいです
To-te-mo Oi-shi-de-su

Try saying this if you want to level up a bit from umai. It essentially means “This is very delicious!”

4. Phrase at the end of a meal

Go-chi-so-sama-de-shi-ta

More info

ごちそうさまでした
Go-chi-so-sama-de-shi-ta

Japanese people say this at the end of their meal. Before the advent of modern food processing technology and the expansion of accesiblity to food, preparing for a meal involved traveling far distances for ingredients. This is where this phrase was born from, as a show of appreciation for those who covered long distances to ensure that you can enjoy a meal.

5. Can I have another serving?

O-ka-wa-ri Ku-da-sai.

More info

おかわりください
O-ka-wa-ri Ku-da-sai.

This doesn’t apply to all places, but many will have a re-fill option for your bowl of rice or even the main entree. Unless stated otherwise, you have to either pay a small fee or the original price of the item. Say this to the server, and they will either bring you back another serving or explain to you that they can’t.

6. Do you have recommendations?

O-su-su-me A-ri-masu-ka?

More info

おすすめありますか？
O-su-su-me A-ri-masu-ka?

To ask about recommendations, ask this phrase to the server or the owner directly. Many places will have seasonal menus or change their menu every once in a while, so asking this question helps you get a better sense of what you should eat when you have so many choices in front of you.

7. How do I eat this?

Ta-be-kata Wa?

More info

たべかたは？
Ta-be-kata Wa?

Most foods are very straightforward in how they are to be eaten, especially if you have eating utensils with you. However, some places will have food that requires a specific way to be eaten. For example, one common question is often asked with sushi: Do you eat sushi with your hand or with chopsticks? The answer is either, but in order to confirm such things, it’s always best to ask this question.

8. (Cold) Drinking Water

Ohi-ya

More info

おひや
O-hi-ya

This is a fancier way of saying drinking water. Ohi-ya means ‘Cold’ so it only applies to cold water. If you add ‘Ku-da-sai (Please can I have)’ at the end and say ‘Ohi-ya Ku-da-sai’, this will mean ‘Please can I have (cold) drinking water?’ That will surely impress the server!

9. Do you have non-smoking seeting?

Kin-en-seki Ari-masu-ka?

More info

きんえんせきありますか？
Kin-en-seki Ari-masu-ka?

Some restaurants in Japan have ‘Smoking’ and ‘Non-Smoking’ areas. If you want a Non-Smoking table (area) you should ask this phrase when being shown to your table.

10. Can I have the Bill please?

O-kai-kei O-negai-shima-su.

More info

おかいけい、おねがいします
O-kai-kei O-negai-shima-su.

This is a “cool” way of asking for the bill in Japan.

Was this too Difficult?