Restaurants and Ordering: Natural Phrasing, Customization, and Paying

Entering and Getting Seated (入店・案内)

In Japan, many restaurants have a clear flow: enter, wait to be acknowledged, state party size, then follow staff to your seat. You don’t need to over-explain—short, polite phrases are the norm.

At the door: getting attention naturally

• Sumimasen.（すみません）Excuse me / Sorry (to get attention)
• Onegaishimasu.（お願いします）Please (useful filler when you’re being guided)

Party size and seating

• Futari desu.（二人です）We’re two.
• Hitori desu.（一人です）Just me.
• San-nin desu.（三人です）We’re three.
• Kinen seki wa arimasu ka?（禁煙席はありますか）Do you have non-smoking seats?
• Koshitsu wa arimasu ka?（個室はありますか）Do you have a private room?

If there’s a wait

Common staff questions include “How many?” and “Do you have a reservation?” If you don’t, keep it simple.

• Yoyaku wa shiteimasen.（予約はしていません）I don’t have a reservation.
• Nan-fun gurai machimasu ka?（何分ぐらい待ちますか）About how many minutes is the wait?

Step-by-step: the smooth entry script

1. Enter and pause near the entrance.

2. Catch staff eye contact: Sumimasen.

3. Say party size: Futari desu.

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4. Follow guidance: Hai. / Onegaishimasu.

Reading Basic Menu Cues (メニューの見方)

You don’t need to read everything. Look for predictable cues that help you order correctly and avoid surprises.

Common menu words you’ll see

Ordering from pictures or set menus

Many places use photos, numbered items, or set menus (set = main + rice/soup/drink). If you’re unsure, point and keep it short.

• Kore kudasai.（これください）This, please.
• Kono setto ni shimasu.（このセットにします）I’ll take this set.
• Ban-gou de ii desu ka?（番号でいいですか）Can I order by number?

Ordering Smoothly: Natural Patterns (注文の型)

Natural ordering in Japanese is often: item + request. You can add quantity, size, or “please.” The key phrase Kore kudasai is extremely common and sounds natural.

Core phrases locals use

• Kore kudasai.（これください）This, please.
• Osusume wa nan desu ka?（おすすめは何ですか）What do you recommend?
• ___ wa haitteimasu ka?（___は入っていますか）Does it contain ___?
• Okaikei onegaishimasu.（お会計お願いします）Check, please.

Useful ordering templates

• ___ o hitotsu kudasai.（___を一つください）One ___, please.
• ___ o futatsu kudasai.（___を二つください）Two ___, please.
• ___ to ___ o onegaishimasu.（___と___をお願いします）___ and ___, please.
• Kore to onaji no o kudasai.（これと同じのをください）The same as this, please.

Step-by-step: ordering when you’re not confident

1. Ask for a recommendation if needed: Osusume wa nan desu ka?

2. Confirm one key ingredient if necessary: ___ wa haitteimasu ka?

3. Point and order: Kore kudasai.

4. Add quantity: Hitotsu / Futatsu.

Handling Common Questions (Spice, Allergies, Ingredients)

Staff may ask quick questions to confirm your order. Short answers are best. If you have dietary needs, be clear and respectful; avoid long explanations.

Spice level (辛さ)

Some restaurants (ramen, curry, spicy noodles) ask how spicy you want it.

• Karasa wa dou shimasu ka?（辛さはどうしますか）How spicy?
• Amari karakunai hou ga ii desu.（あまり辛くない方がいいです）I prefer not very spicy.
• Karasa wa hikaeme de onegaishimasu.（辛さは控えめでお願いします）Mild, please.
• Karai no wa nigate desu.（辛いのは苦手です）I’m not good with spicy food.

Ingredient checks with “haitteimasu ka”

Use ___ wa haitteimasu ka? to check for specific items. This is more natural than asking for a full explanation.

• Niku wa haitteimasu ka?（肉は入っていますか）Does it contain meat?
• Sakana wa haitteimasu ka?（魚は入っていますか）Does it contain fish?
• Tamago wa haitteimasu ka?（卵は入っていますか）Does it contain egg?
• Nyuu-seihin wa haitteimasu ka?（乳製品は入っていますか）Does it contain dairy?
• Komugi wa haitteimasu ka?（小麦は入っていますか）Does it contain wheat?
• Peanutsu wa haitteimasu ka?（ピーナッツは入っていますか）Does it contain peanuts?

Allergies: clear and respectful wording

For allergies, signal seriousness first, then ask if it can be removed or avoided. If you can’t risk cross-contact, say so plainly.

• Arerugii ga arimasu.（アレルギーがあります）I have an allergy.
• ___ wa taberaremasen.（___は食べられません）I can’t eat ___.
• ___ nuki ni dekimasu ka?（___抜きにできますか）Can you make it without ___?
• Fukumareteiru to komarimasu.（含まれていると困ります）It’s a problem if it’s included.
• Kon-tami (kontaminēshon) wa daijoubu desu ka?（コンタミは大丈夫ですか）Is cross-contact okay? (Use only if you understand the risk; otherwise say it’s not okay.)
• Kon-tami mo dame desu.（コンタミもだめです）Cross-contact is also not okay.

If you need a simpler, very direct line:

• ___ wa zettai dame desu.（___は絶対だめです）___ is absolutely not okay for me.

Customization: Less Spicy, No Meat, Without X (カスタマイズ)

Customization is possible in many places, but not guaranteed. Ask politely, and be ready with a fallback order if they can’t change it.

Core customization patterns

• ___ nuki de onegaishimasu.（___抜きでお願いします）Without ___, please.
• ___ wa iranai desu.（___はいらないです）I don’t need ___.
• ___ wa nashi de.（___はなしで）No ___ (casual but common).
• Sukuname ni dekimasu ka?（少なめにできますか）Can you make it less?
• Hikaeme ni dekimasu ka?（控えめにできますか）Can you make it lighter/milder?

Examples you can reuse

• Karami nuki de onegaishimasu.（辛み抜きでお願いします）No spice, please.
• Niku nuki de onegaishimasu.（肉抜きでお願いします）No meat, please.
• Buta nuki / Tori nuki de onegaishimasu.（豚抜き／鶏抜きでお願いします）No pork / no chicken, please.
• Gyuu niku nuki de onegaishimasu.（牛肉抜きでお願いします）No beef, please.
• Tamago nuki de onegaishimasu.（卵抜きでお願いします）No egg, please.
• Mayoneezu nashi de onegaishimasu.（マヨネーズなしでお願いします）No mayonnaise, please.
• Betu-zara ni dekimasu ka?（別皿にできますか）Can you put it on a separate plate?

Dietary restrictions: polite, realistic phrasing

For vegetarian/vegan needs, it helps to ask about specific ingredients (meat, fish, dashi/broth) rather than labels. Many dishes use fish-based broth even if there’s no visible fish.

• Niku to sakana wa tabemasen.（肉と魚は食べません）I don’t eat meat or fish.
• Dashi wa haitteimasu ka?（だしは入っていますか）Is there dashi (broth) in it?
• Gyuu-nyuu / bataa wa haitteimasu ka?（牛乳／バターは入っていますか）Does it contain milk/butter?

For religious restrictions, keep it factual and calm.

• Buta niku wa taberaremasen.（豚肉は食べられません）I can’t eat pork.
• Arukooru wa dame desu.（アルコールはだめです）Alcohol is not okay for me.
• Mirin wa haitteimasu ka?（みりんは入っていますか）Does it contain mirin?

Fallback options when customization isn’t possible

If they can’t change the dish, switch smoothly without making it awkward.

• Ja, daijoubu desu.（じゃ、大丈夫です）Okay then (I’ll pass on that change).
• Hoka no mono ni shimasu.（他のものにします）I’ll choose something else.
• Osusume de, niku nashi no wa arimasu ka?（おすすめで、肉なしのはありますか）Do you have a recommended option without meat?

Etiquette That Helps You Blend In (呼び方・シェア・チップ)

Calling staff

Many places expect you to call staff when ready. Use the standard call; it’s not rude in Japan.

• Sumimasen!（すみません！）Excuse me!
• Onegaishimasu!（お願いします！）Please! (when handing over a request)

If there’s a call button, press it once and wait.

Sharing plates and ordering for the table

At izakaya-style places, sharing is common. Confirm if you want separate plates or individual portions.

• Torikake (toriwake) shimasu.（取り分けします）We’ll share/portion it out.
• Hitori-bun zutsu ni dekimasu ka?（一人分ずつにできますか）Can you make it one portion per person?
• Kozara o kudasai.（小皿をください）Small plates, please.

No tipping

Tipping is generally not expected. If you try to tip, staff may refuse or chase you to return it. A polite thank-you is enough.

• Gochisousama deshita.（ごちそうさまでした）Thank you for the meal (said when leaving).

When You’re Finished: What to Say (食後)

When you’re done, you can either ask for the check or respond if staff asks about clearing plates.

• O-sage shite mo ii desu ka?（お下げしてもいいですか）May I clear this? (staff may ask)
• Hai, onegaishimasu.（はい、お願いします）Yes, please.
• Mou daijoubu desu.（もう大丈夫です）We’re all set / I’m done.

Paying and Receipts (会計・レシート)

Payment style varies: some places pay at the table, many pay at the register near the exit. Watch what locals do, or ask directly.

Asking for the check

• Okaikei onegaishimasu.（お会計お願いします）Check, please.
• Okanjou onegaishimasu.（お勘定お願いします）Check, please (also common).

At the register: common phrases

• Kore de onegaishimasu.（これでお願いします）With this (cash), please.
• Kādo de haraemasu ka?（カードで払えますか）Can I pay by card?
• Genkin de.（現金で）By cash.
• Rēshīto onegaishimasu.（レシートお願いします）Receipt, please.
• Ryoushuusho onegaishimasu.（領収書お願いします）A formal receipt, please.

Quick payment checklist

1. Ask: Okaikei onegaishimasu.

2. If they hand you a slip, take it to the register (common).

3. Pay and request receipt if needed: Rēshīto onegaishimasu.

4. Leave with: Gochisousama deshita.