Knowing a few key Japanese phrases can make eating out in Japan much smoother. This guide covers the expressions you need from the moment you walk into a restaurant to when you pay the bill, with Japanese script, romaji, natural English meanings, and notes on when each phrase fits best.
What to Say When You Enter
Most restaurants in Japan use a system where staff greet you at the entrance and seat you. You will rarely seat yourself unless there is a sign saying 自由席 (jiyuuseki), meaning open seating.
When a staff member approaches, they will often ask how many people are in your group.
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 何名様ですか？ | Nan-mei-sama desu ka? | How many people? (formal, used by staff) |
| 二人です。 | Futari desu. | Two people. |
| 一人です。 | Hitori desu. | Just one person. |
| 三人です。 | San-nin desu. | Three people. |
Simply hold up the correct number of fingers alongside your answer if you are unsure of the pronunciation. Staff at tourist-frequented restaurants are used to this.
If you want a non-smoking seat, you can say 禁煙席をお願いします (Kin-en-seki o onegai shimasu), which means 'A non-smoking seat, please.' Note that smoking rules vary by restaurant and local regulation, so this phrase may not always be relevant.
Asking for the Menu and Time to Decide
In many Japanese restaurants, menus are already on the table or brought automatically. If you need one, you can ask:
- メニューをください。(Menyu o kudasai.) — 'Menu, please.'
- 英語のメニューはありますか？(Eigo no menyu wa arimasu ka?) — 'Do you have an English menu?'
If you need more time before ordering, say もう少し待ってください (Mou sukoshi matte kudasai), meaning 'Please wait a little longer.' This is polite and commonly understood.
How to Place Your Order
The standard way to order is to point at the menu item and use one of these phrases:
- これをください。(Kore o kudasai.) — 'This one, please.' (pointing at the menu)
- これをひとつお願いします。(Kore o hitotsu onegai shimasu.) — 'One of this, please.'
- 〇〇をふたつお願いします。([Item] o futatsu onegai shimasu.) — 'Two of [item], please.'
Many restaurants in Japan have photos on their menus or plastic food displays outside, so pointing is an entirely acceptable and practical strategy.
To call a staff member to your table, you can say すみません (Sumimasen), which works as a polite 'Excuse me.' Some restaurants have call buttons on the table instead. For more on how to use sumimasen in different contexts, see the guide on How to Say Excuse Me in Japanese: Sumimasen and More.
Asking About Ingredients and Dietary Needs
Communicating dietary restrictions in Japanese requires care. Staff may not always be trained in allergen details, and restaurant kitchens often share equipment. Use the phrases below as a starting point, but be aware that confirming specific allergen information often requires speaking to a manager or chef directly.
| Restriction | Japanese | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
| No meat | 肉なしでお願いします。 | Niku nashi de onegai shimasu. |
| No shellfish | 貝類は食べられません。 | Kairui wa taberaremasen. |
| No gluten (wheat) | 小麦は食べられません。 | Komugi wa taberaremasen. |
| Allergy (general) | 〇〇アレルギーがあります。 | [Item] arerugii ga arimasu. |
For example, to say 'I have a peanut allergy,' say ピーナッツアレルギーがあります (Piinattsu arerugii ga arimasu). Always confirm directly with the restaurant for serious dietary needs. Staff at smaller, traditional restaurants may have limited experience with specific dietary requests.
During the Meal: Useful Mid-Meal Phrases
Once your food arrives, the staff may say お待たせしました (Omatase shimashita), meaning 'Sorry for the wait' or 'Here is your order.' A common response is simply ありがとうございます (Arigatou gozaimasu) — 'Thank you.'
Before eating, many people in Japan say いただきます (Itadakimasu), an expression of gratitude for the meal. It is not a religious phrase but a social custom. You are not obligated to say it as a visitor, but doing so is generally appreciated.
If you need extra chopsticks, napkins, or water:
- お箸をもう一膳ください。(Ohashi o mou ichizen kudasai.) — 'One more pair of chopsticks, please.'
- お水をください。(Omizu o kudasai.) — 'Water, please.'
- おしぼりをください。(Oshibori o kudasai.) — 'A hand towel, please.'
How to Ask for the Check
In Japan, the bill is not typically brought to your table automatically. You need to ask for it or pay at the register. In many casual restaurants, you take your receipt to a counter near the exit to pay.
To ask for the check at your table:
- お会計をお願いします。(Okaikei o onegai shimasu.) — 'Check, please.' (most common)
- お勘定をお願いします。(Okanjo o onegai shimasu.) — 'The bill, please.' (slightly more formal)
A common gesture is to cross your index fingers in an X shape, which signals 'check, please' and is widely understood in restaurants throughout Japan.
If you want to split the bill, note that this is not always possible in smaller or traditional restaurants. You can ask:
- 別々でお願いします。(Betsu-betsu de onegai shimasu.) — 'Separately, please.'
- 割り勘でお願いします。(Warikan de onegai shimasu.) — 'Split evenly, please.'
Be prepared for the possibility that the restaurant may say this is not possible. Having the right amount in cash is always helpful, as some smaller establishments do not accept credit cards.
Key Numbers for Ordering Quantities
Ordering multiple items requires basic Japanese numbers. When counting food items, Japanese uses a counter called つ (tsu) for general objects, or 個 (ko) for small, round items.
| Quantity | General counter (〜つ) | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ひとつ | hitotsu |
| 2 | ふたつ | futatsu |
| 3 | みっつ | mittsu |
| 4 | よっつ | yottsu |
| 5 | いつつ | itsutsu |
For a deeper look at how Japanese numbers work, the article on How to Count in Japanese: Numbers 1 to 10 and Beyond covers counting systems and counters in detail.
Formality: When to Use Which Level
The phrases in this guide are at a polite, neutral level suitable for most restaurants. A few points on register:
- Using ください (kudasai) after a request is polite and appropriate in nearly all restaurant settings.
- お願いします (onegai shimasu) is slightly warmer and more commonly heard in everyday speech.
- Avoid ending requests with just the noun and a rising intonation (e.g., 'Mizu?') unless you are at a very casual izakaya with friends. It can come across as abrupt.
- Keigo, or formal honorific speech, is used by restaurant staff toward customers, not the other way around. You do not need to use keigo when ordering.
A Quick Reference Checklist
- Entering: Say the number in your group — 一人です / 二人です.
- Menu: メニューをください or ask for an English menu.
- Ordering: Point and say これをください or [item] をお願いします.
- Dietary needs: Use 〇〇は食べられません and confirm with staff for serious allergies.
- During meal: すみません to call staff; お水をください for water.
- Bill: お会計をお願いします at the table, or pay at the register near the exit.
- Splitting: 別々でお願いします or 割り勘でお願いします — confirm the restaurant allows it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to tip at restaurants in Japan?
No. Tipping is not practiced at restaurants in Japan and can cause confusion or even embarrassment. The service charge, if any, is included in the bill. Simply pay the stated amount and leave.
What if the staff does not understand my Japanese pronunciation?
Pointing at the menu is a fully acceptable and practical solution. Many restaurants also have picture menus or plastic food replicas outside. Showing the Japanese text on your phone — for example, by typing the dish name or your dietary restriction — is also widely used and understood.
Is it rude to speak loudly to call a waiter?
In Japan, calling out すみません at a moderate volume is normal and expected. Shouting or repeatedly snapping fingers is considered rude. Many restaurants now have table call buttons, which removes the need to call out at all.
Can I ask for modifications to a dish, such as removing an ingredient?
Simple requests like 'no onions' (玉ねぎなしでお願いします — Tamanegi nashi de onegai shimasu) are often possible at casual restaurants, but traditional or high-end establishments may not accommodate changes to their set dishes. It is worth asking politely, but be prepared to accept a no.
What does いただきます mean and do I have to say it?
いただきます (Itadakimasu) is said before eating and expresses gratitude for the food. It is a social custom, not a religious requirement. As a visitor you are not expected to say it, but doing so is generally welcomed by those around you.
Conclusion
A small set of phrases — knowing how to state your group size, place an order, handle dietary questions, and ask for the bill — covers the majority of situations you will encounter at a Japanese restaurant. Pointing at menus, writing requests on your phone, and using すみません to get attention are all practical tools that work alongside spoken Japanese. If you want to build on these phrases, the guides on How to Greet Someone in Japanese and Thank You in Japanese: Beyond Arigatou will help you feel more confident in everyday interactions throughout Japan.
