Japan is one of the best countries in the world to eat in — but the menus, the ordering process, and the things staff say can all feel like a second language exam. Whether you are planning a trip to Japan, studying for JLPT N5, or just want to understand what is actually in your ramen, this guide gives you everything: food vocabulary by category, common dishes, the phrases you need to order, what staff will say to you, how to explain dietary restrictions, and the menu words you should recognize before you sit down.
At a Glance: What This Guide Covers
| Your situation | Section to read |
|---|---|
| Traveling to Japan and eating out | What You Say + What Staff Will Say |
| Reading a Japanese menu | Basic Food Categories + Menu Words |
| Have an allergy or dietary restriction | Allergy and Dietary Restriction Phrases |
| Want to understand taste and cooking words | Taste and Cooking Words |
| Visiting ramen / sushi / izakaya | Vocabulary by Situation |
| Studying for JLPT N5 | Food Categories + Common Dishes + Quiz |
Basic Food Categories
| Category | Japanese | Reading | Key Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rice / Grains | ご飯 / 穀物 | gohan / kokumotsu | 白ご飯 (hakugohan, white rice), おにぎり (onigiri, rice ball), パン (pan, bread) |
| Noodles | 麺類 | menrui | ラーメン, うどん, そば, そうめん, パスタ |
| Meat | 肉 | niku | 牛肉 (gyūniku, beef), 豚肉 (butaniku, pork), 鶏肉 (toriniku, chicken) |
| Fish / Seafood | 魚 / 海鮮 | sakana / kaisen | 刺身 (sashimi), 寿司, エビ (ebi, shrimp), タコ (tako, octopus), サーモン (sāmon, salmon) |
| Vegetables | 野菜 | yasai | 玉ねぎ (tamanegi, onion), にんじん (ninjin, carrot), なす (nasu, eggplant), きのこ (kinoko, mushroom) |
| Fruit | 果物 | kudamono | りんご (ringo, apple), バナナ (banana), みかん (mikan, mandarin), もも (momo, peach) |
| Drinks | 飲み物 | nomimono | お水 (omizu, water), お茶 (ocha, tea), ビール (bīru, beer), コーヒー (kōhī, coffee) |
| Sweets / Desserts | お菓子 / デザート | okashi / dezāto | アイスクリーム (ice cream), ケーキ (kēki, cake), 和菓子 (wagashi, Japanese sweets) |
Common Japanese Dishes Every Learner Should Know
| Dish | Reading | Where to find it | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| 寿司 | すし | 回転寿司, 寿司屋 | Vinegared rice with fish or other toppings; eaten at sushi counters or conveyor belt restaurants |
| ラーメン | らーめん | ラーメン店 | Wheat noodles in broth (soy, miso, salt, or pork); Japan’s most popular noodle soup |
| うどん | うどん | うどん屋, 定食屋 | Thick wheat noodles in a mild dashi broth; softer and milder than ramen |
| そば | そば | そば屋 | Buckwheat noodles; served hot in broth or cold with dipping sauce (ざるそば) |
| カレー | かれー | カレー屋, 食堂 | Japanese-style curry; milder and thicker than Indian curry; often served with rice as カレーライス |
| 天ぷら | てんぷら | 天ぷら屋, 定食屋 | Seafood and vegetables in a light batter, deep-fried; often served over rice (天丼) or with soba |
| 焼き鳥 | やきとり | 居酒屋, 屋台 | Grilled chicken skewers; various cuts and sauces (たれ or 塩); common izakaya food |
| お好み焼き | おこのみやき | お好み焼き屋 | Savory Japanese pancake with cabbage and various ingredients; cooked on a griddle at your table |
| 定食 | ていしょく | 定食屋, 食堂 | Set meal: main dish + rice + miso soup + side dishes; efficient and common for lunch |
| 弁当 | べんとう | コンビニ, 駅弁 | Boxed meal; available at convenience stores, stations (駅弁), and supermarkets |
Restaurant Types and Core Vocabulary
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| レストラン | resutoran | restaurant (Western-style) |
| 食堂 | しょくどう | casual diner / canteen |
| 居酒屋 | いざかや | Japanese pub; food and drinks together |
| カフェ | kafe | café; often lighter food and drinks |
| ファミレス | famiresu | family restaurant (チェーン店); menus with photos |
| コンビニ | konbini | convenience store; 24-hour food available |
| メニュー | menyū | menu |
| 注文 | ちゅうもん | order (food/drink) |
| お会計 | おかいけい | the bill / payment |
| 予約 | よやく | reservation |
| 席 | せき | seat |
| カウンター席 | kauntā seki | counter seat |
| テーブル席 | tēburu seki | table seat |
| 店員 | てんいん | restaurant staff / shop staff |
| おすすめ | osusume | recommendation |
What You Say at a Restaurant
| Japanese | Romaji | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| 予約をしています。___名で田中です。 | Yoyaku wo shite imasu. ___mei de Tanaka desu. | Checking in with a reservation: “I have a reservation. Party of ___, name: Tanaka.” |
| ___名です。 | ___mei desu. | Telling the host your party size: “There are ___ of us.” (1名, 2名, 3名…) |
| これをください。/ これをお願いします。 | Kore wo kudasai. / Kore wo onegaishimasu. | Pointing at the menu to order: “I’ll have this please.” |
| おすすめは何ですか？ | Osusume wa nan desu ka? | Asking for recommendations: “What do you recommend?” |
| お水をください。 | Omizu wo kudasai. | Asking for water (free at most Japanese restaurants) |
| お会計をお願いします。 | Okaikei wo onegaishimasu. | Asking for the bill |
| カードは使えますか？ | Kādo wa tsukaemasu ka? | Asking whether they accept credit cards |
| 持ち帰りでお願いします。 | Mochikaeri de onegaishimasu. | Asking for takeout / to go |
| 別々にお願いします。 | Betsubetsu ni onegaishimasu. | Asking for separate bills |
YukaEvery time I try to order I either point at the menu and say nothing or say sumimasen and freeze. Is there a simple ordering script I can learn?
ReiThe simplest script: すみません (get attention) → これをください (point at menu) → ありがとうございます (receive). That covers 90% of ordering in Japan. At places with pictures, you can order entirely by pointing. Learn お会計をお願いします for the bill, and you have the full loop covered.
What Restaurant Staff Will Say to You
These phrases will be directed at you when you walk in, order, or pay. Recognizing them removes a major source of restaurant anxiety.
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning / When you’ll hear it |
|---|---|---|
| いらっしゃいませ。 | Irasshaimase. | “Welcome.” — Said by every staff member as you enter. No response required. |
| 何名様ですか？ | Nanmei-sama desu ka? | “How many in your party?” — Answer with number + 名 (1名, 2名…) or hold up fingers. |
| こちらへどうぞ。 | Kochira e dōzo. | “This way please.” — Follow the staff member. |
| ご注文はお決まりですか？ | Go-chūmon wa o-kimari desu ka? | “Are you ready to order?” — Say もう少しお待ちください (mō sukoshi o-machi kudasai) if you need more time. |
| 以上でよろしいでしょうか？ | Ijō de yoroshii deshou ka? | “Is that everything?” — Say はい if done; add further orders if needed. |
| 少々お待ちください。 | Shōshō o-machi kudasai. | “Please wait just a moment.” — Common response when placing an order. |
| 店内でお召し上がりですか、お持ち帰りですか？ | Tennai de omeshiagari desu ka, o-mochikaeri desu ka? | “For here or to go?” — Answer 店内で (tennai de, for here) or 持ち帰りで (mochikaeri de, to go). |
| ポイントカードはお持ちですか？ | Pointo kādo wa o-mochi desu ka? | “Do you have a point card?” — Say ありません or 持っていません if you do not. |
| 温めますか？ | Atatamemasu ka? | “Shall I heat it up?” — Common at convenience stores. Say はい or お願いします if yes. |
Taste and Cooking Words
Taste vocabulary
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| おいしい | oishii | delicious / tasty | このラーメンはおいしい。 |
| まずい | mazui | bad-tasting | Direct and blunt — only say about your own food, never to staff. |
| 甘い | amai | sweet | 甘いデザート (amai dezāto, sweet dessert) |
| 辛い | karai | spicy / hot (taste) | 辛い料理 (karai ryōri, spicy food) |
| 苦い | nigai | bitter | 苦いコーヒー (nigai kōhī, bitter coffee) |
| しょっぱい / 塩辛い | shoppai / shiokarai | salty | しょっぱいスープ (shoppai sūpu, salty soup) |
| 酸っぱい | suppai | sour | 酸っぱいレモン (suppai remon, sour lemon) |
| 濃い | koi | rich / strong / thick (flavor) | 濃いスープ (koi sūpu, rich broth) |
| 薄い | usui | light / thin / mild (flavor) | 薄い味 (usui aji, mild flavor) |
| うまい | umai | delicious (masculine, casual) | これうまい！ — “This is great!” (casual) |
Note on 辛い: 辛い has two readings — からい (karai, spicy) and つらい (tsurai, painful/tough). They are different words sharing the same kanji. In food contexts, からい is almost always intended.
Cooking and preparation words
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning | Example on a menu |
|---|---|---|---|
| 焼く | yaku | to grill / bake / pan-fry | 焼き鳥 (yakitori), 焼き魚 (yakizakana) |
| 煮る | niru | to simmer / boil in broth | 煮物 (nimono, simmered dish) |
| 揚げる | ageru | to deep-fry | 唐揚げ (karaage), 天ぷら |
| 蒸す | musu | to steam | 蒸し鶏 (mushidori, steamed chicken) |
| 炒める | itameru | to stir-fry | 野菜炒め (yasai itame, stir-fried vegetables) |
| 生 | nama | raw / fresh / draft (beer) | 生ビール (nama bīru, draft beer), 生卵 |
| 大盛り | ōmori | large portion | 大盛りラーメン (large ramen) |
| 並盛り | namimori | regular portion | Standard size |
| 少なめ | sukuname | smaller portion | ご飯少なめで (rice on the lighter side) |
| 持ち帰り | mochikaeri | takeout / to go | 持ち帰りでお願いします |
Menu Words You Should Recognize
These words appear on almost every Japanese menu. Recognizing them will help you navigate any restaurant even if you cannot read the full menu.
| Word | Reading | Meaning on a menu |
|---|---|---|
| 定食 | ていしょく | set meal (main + rice + soup + sides) |
| 単品 | たんぴん | single item (not a set) |
| 大盛り | おおもり | large portion (often free or small surcharge) |
| 無料 | むりょう | free of charge |
| 税込 | ぜいこみ | tax included (price shown is final) |
| 税別 | ぜいべつ | tax not included (add 10%) |
| 限定 | げんてい | limited (seasonal or limited quantity) |
| 人気 | にんき | popular (staff favorite or bestseller) |
| 本日のおすすめ | ほんじつのおすすめ | today’s recommendation |
| 売り切れ | うりきれ | sold out |
| 追加 | ついか | extra / additional order |
| 替え玉 | かえだま | extra noodle serving (ramen; often free or ¥100) |
| 禁煙席 | きんえんせき | non-smoking seat |
| 食べ放題 | たべほうだい | all-you-can-eat |
| 飲み放題 | のみほうだい | all-you-can-drink |
Allergy and Dietary Restriction Phrases
Japan has made progress on food allergy awareness, but communication remains important — especially in smaller restaurants where staff may not speak English. Learn these phrases before you travel.
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| アレルギーがあります。 | Arerugii ga arimasu. | I have an allergy. |
| ___のアレルギーがあります。 | ___ no arerugii ga arimasu. | I am allergic to ___. |
| ___は食べられません。 | ___ wa taberaremasen. | I cannot eat ___. |
| ___は入っていますか？ | ___ wa haitte imasu ka? | Does it contain ___? |
| ベジタリアンです。 | Bejitarian desu. | I am vegetarian. |
| ヴィーガンです。 | Vīgan desu. | I am vegan. |
| 辛くしないでください。 | Karaku shinaide kudasai. | Please make it not spicy. |
| 豚肉は食べられません。 | Butaniku wa taberaremasen. | I cannot eat pork. |
| 牛肉は食べられません。 | Gyūniku wa taberaremasen. | I cannot eat beef. |
Key allergy vocabulary:
| Allergen | Japanese | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Wheat / gluten | 小麦 / 小麦粉 | komugi / komugiko |
| Egg | 卵 | tamago |
| Milk / dairy | 牛乳 / 乳製品 | gyūnyū / nyūseihin |
| Soy | 大豆 | daizū |
| Peanuts | 落花生 / ピーナッツ | rakkasei / pīnattsu |
| Buckwheat (soba) | そば / 蕎麦 | soba |
| Shellfish | 甲殻類 | kōkakurui |
| Fish | 魚 | sakana |
YukaI’m vegetarian and I’m nervous about traveling in Japan because I heard it’s hard to avoid fish broth. How should I explain this?
ReiBe specific — saying ベジタリアンです alone may not be enough, because in Japan “vegetarian” is sometimes understood to allow fish. Say: 魚も食べられません。だし（カツオ出汁）も食べられません (I cannot eat fish either. I cannot have dashi broth either). Writing your restrictions on a card in Japanese to show staff is a practical option for serious allergies or dietary needs.
Japanese Food Vocabulary by Situation
| Situation | Key vocabulary you will encounter |
|---|---|
| ラーメン店 | 大盛り (extra noodles), 替え玉 (extra noodle refill), 硬め/柔らかめ (firm/soft noodles), 濃いめ/薄め (rich/light broth), トッピング (toppings), 焼き豚 (chashu pork), 半熟卵 (hanjuku tamago, soft-boiled egg) |
| 回転寿司 / 寿司 | ネタ (neta, topping), シャリ (shari, vinegared rice), ガリ (pickled ginger), わさび, 醤油 (shōyu, soy sauce), 時価 (jika, market price) |
| 居酒屋 | 乾杯 (kanpai, cheers), お通し (otōshi, obligatory appetizer), 一品料理 (ippin ryōri, single-dish order), 飲み放題 (all-you-can-drink), 焼き鳥 (yakitori), 枝豆 (edamame) |
| カフェ | アイス/ホット (iced/hot), テイクアウト (takeout), サイズ (size — S/M/L), モーニング (morning set, available until 11am) |
| コンビニ | 温めますか (shall I heat it?), 箸はいりますか (do you need chopsticks?), ポイントカード (points card), レジ袋 (rejibukuro, plastic bag), お弁当 (obento) |
| スーパー | 見切り品 (mikirihin, discounted near-expiry), 国産 (kokusan, domestic), 有機 (yūki, organic), 賞味期限 (shōmi kigen, best-before date) |
Common Food and Restaurant Mistakes English Speakers Make
Saying チェック instead of お会計
English speakers often say “check, please” using the loanword チェック (chekku). This is not standard in Japanese restaurants. Staff will understand it, but the natural phrase is お会計をお願いします (okaikei wo onegaishimasu). In many restaurants you actually pay at the register on the way out rather than at the table — look for a レジ (cash register) near the exit.
Confusing 店内 and 持ち帰り
At cafés and convenience stores you will be asked 店内でお召し上がりですか、お持ち帰りですか？ (for here or to go?). 店内 (tennai) = inside / for here. 持ち帰り (mochikaeri) = takeout. Answering the wrong one may mean your hot food is packed to go or your takeout drink is handed back without a lid.
Not understanding 何名様ですか
This is the first thing restaurant staff will say when you enter. 何名様 (nanmei-sama) means “how many people.” The polite 様 (sama) is the honorific — you do not use it yourself. Simply answer with the number: 二人です (futari desu, two people) or 二名です (nimei desu, using the formal counter) — or simply hold up fingers. If you know 名 (mei) as a counter for people, this question immediately becomes recognizable.
Misreading katakana food words
Japanese menus are full of katakana food names that look like English but sound quite different: ビーフ (beef), サーモン (salmon), チーズバーガー (cheeseburger), オレンジジュース (orange juice). The vowels and consonants map differently to English sounds. Reading katakana fluently is one of the highest-value skills for anyone eating in Japan — and it is learnable in a few days.
Using casual requests with restaurant staff
Saying 水くれ (mizu kure, give me water — very blunt) or 会計 (kaikei — just the noun with no politeness) can come across as rude. Always add お〜 polite prefix and お願いします or ください to any request. お水をください or お水をお願いします is natural and polite.
Japanese Food Vocabulary Quiz
Quiz 1: Food category match
Assign each word to the correct category (肉 / 野菜 / 飲み物 / 麺類 / 果物):
1. うどん 2. にんじん 3. ビール 4. 豚肉 5. みかん
Answers: Quiz 1
1. 麺類 2. 野菜 3. 飲み物 4. 肉 5. 果物
Quiz 2: Customer or staff phrase?
Is each phrase said by the customer or by the restaurant staff?
1. いらっしゃいませ。 2. お会計をお願いします。 3. 何名様ですか？ 4. これをください。 5. 少々お待ちください。
Answers: Quiz 2
1. Staff 2. Customer 3. Staff 4. Customer 5. Staff
Quiz 3: Menu words
Match the menu word to its meaning:
1. 売り切れ 2. 税込 3. 食べ放題 4. 大盛り 5. 限定
A. tax included B. large portion C. sold out D. limited E. all-you-can-eat
Answers: Quiz 3
1–C, 2–A, 3–E, 4–B, 5–D
Quiz 4: Complete the allergy phrase
Fill in the blank to complete each phrase:
1. 卵の___があります。（allergy） 2. 豚肉は食べ___ません。（cannot eat） 3. ___は入っていますか？（Is there [dairy] in this?） 4. ___くしないでください。（Please make it not spicy.）
Answers: Quiz 4
1. アレルギー 2. られ 3. 乳製品 4. 辛
Do you have a food-related Japanese question — a word on a menu you could not figure out, or a phrase that confused you at a restaurant? Share it in the comments. Your question might help another learner in the same situation.
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