Whether you’re eating at a ramen shop, izakaya, or fine restaurant in Japan, this vocabulary list covers everything you need to order, ask questions, and pay the bill comfortably.
At a Glance
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 予約 | よやく (yoyaku) | Reservation |
| 席 | せき (seki) | Seat / table |
| メニュー | menyu- | Menu |
| 注文 | ちゅうもん (chuumon) | Order |
| お会計 | おかいけい (okaikei) | Bill / check |
| おすすめ | osusume | Recommendation |
| 定食 | ていしょく (teishoku) | Set meal |
| おかわり | okawari | Refill / second serving |
Ordering Food
〇〇をください / 〇〇をひとつお願いします。 — Please give me 〇〇 / One 〇〇, please.
これにします。 — I’ll have this one.
おすすめは何ですか？ — What do you recommend?
辛いですか？ — Is it spicy?
Making a Reservation
〇〇日、〇時に〇名で予約したいのですが。 — I’d like to make a reservation for [number] people at [time] on [date].
禁煙席でお願いします。 — Non-smoking table, please.
Paying the Bill
お会計をお願いします。 — Check, please.
別々でお願いします。 — Separate bills, please.
一緒でお願いします。 — Together, please.
YukaWhat’s the polite way to call a server in Japan?
ReiSay すみません！ (excuse me) while slightly raising your hand. Some restaurants have call buttons. Shouting 「ウェイター！」 is not done in Japan — すみません is always the right call.
YukaAnd how do I say I have an allergy?
Rei〇〇アレルギーがあります。 — I have a 〇〇 allergy. For example: ナッツアレルギーがあります。 If it’s serious, say 〇〇は食べられません。 (I cannot eat 〇〇).
5 Practice Sentences
| # | Japanese | English |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ラーメンを一つと餃子をお願いします。 | One ramen and gyoza, please. |
| 2 | お会計をお願いします。 | Check, please. |
| 3 | 今夜7時に3名で予約したいんですが。 | I’d like to book a table for 3 at 7 tonight. |
| 4 | このお店のおすすめは何ですか？ | What’s the specialty of this restaurant? |
| 5 | ご飯のおかわりはできますか？ | Can I get a refill on the rice? |
Common Mistakes
| Wrong | Correct | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 「ウェイター！」to call staff | すみません！ | Western-style calling is not customary in Japan |
| Asking for 「勘定」 (kanjo) | お会計 (okaikei) | 勘定 is quite old-fashioned; お会計 is natural today |
Quick Quiz
1. How do you say “One set meal, please”? → 定食を一つお願いします
2. How do you ask for separate checks? → 別々でお願いします
3. How do you say “I can’t eat meat”? → 肉が食べられません
Practice in the Comments!
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