Japanese Food Vocabulary for Travelers

Japanese Food Vocabulary for Travelers and Dining Out

You’re in Japan, hungry, and the restaurant smells incredible but how do you order without getting lost in the menu? Whether it’s sushi, ramen, or a street snack, this quick guide covers essential phrases, food names, and dining etiquette to help you order confidently and enjoy the full Japanese food experience.

What to Say When You Enter a Japanese Restaurant

いらっしゃいませ！(Irasshaimase!) – “Welcome!”
The staff usually says this loud and cheerfully.
You don’t have to say anything back just nod, smile, or say a simple “hi” if you want.

If you feel like saying something back, here are casual, easy phrases:

• こんにちは (Konnichiwa) – Hey / Hello
• お願いします (Onegaishimasu) – Like saying “please” or “your help, please” (when asking for something or sitting down)
• ひとりです〜 (Hitori desu~) – “Just me”
• ふたりです〜 (Futari desu~) – “Two of us”

If it’s super chill, some locals might even say:

• どうも〜 (Dōmo~) – A casual “hey” or “thanks” vibe
• ちょっといいですか？ (Chotto ii desu ka?) – “Got a sec?” (for casual attention)

Basic Greetings and Dining Phrases You’ll Actually Use

Before diving into food words, take a moment to learn a few simple phrases you’ll hear and use while dining in Japan. These aren’t just handy for ordering they’re little signs of respect, gratitude, and connection. Saying them shows you’re not just eating the food, but appreciating the culture behind it.

These are the go-to phrases you’ll hear (and use!) when eating out in Japan:

• すみません (Sumimasen) – “Excuse me”
  Use this to get the waiter’s attention kind of like saying “Hey!” politely.
• お願いします (Onegaishimasu) – “Please”
  Say this when ordering, asking for something, or making a request. Super common.
• ありがとうございます (Arigatou gozaimasu) – “Thank you”
  Very polite. You can also say ありがとう (Arigatou) for casual situations.
• いただきます (Itadakimasu) – Said before eating
  It’s like “Let’s eat!” or “Bon appétit,” showing gratitude for the food.
• ごちそうさまでした (Gochisousama deshita) – Said after eating
  This means “Thanks for the meal!” and it’s polite to say it when you’re done, especially if someone cooked for you or you’re leaving a restaurant.

How to Order Food (Casual & Polite)

When you’re ready to order at the counter or with a server, you can say:

• [Dish name] をお願いします ([Dish name] o onegaishimasu) – “I’ll have [dish name], please.”
  This is polite and works anywhere from ramen shops to nice restaurants.

Examples:

• ラーメンをお願いします (Rāmen o onegaishimasu) – Ramen, please.
• 牛丼をお願いします (Gyūdon o onegaishimasu) – Beef bowl, please.
• カレーください (Karē kudasai) – Curry, please. (A bit more casual)

Want to sound more natural like locals? You can also say:

• 〜ください (~kudasai) – “[Dish], please.”
• 〜で！ (~de!) – “[Dish], please!” (Very casual, great for street food or with friends)

Example:

• ラーメンで！ – “Ramen, please!” (casual, friendly tone)

Not sure what something is? Ask:

• これ、何ですか？ (Kore, nan desu ka?) – “What’s this?” (polite and safe to use)
• これって何？ (Kore tte nani?) – “What is this?” (super casual, common among young people)

Expressing Dietary Preferences and Restrictions

Being able to communicate your dietary preferences or restrictions is crucial, especially if you have allergies or follow a specific diet. Here are some phrases that might be useful:

• 肉は食べられません (Niku wa taberaremasen) – “I can’t eat meat.”
• 私はベジタリアンです (Watashi wa bejitarian desu) – “I’m vegetarian.”
• これは乳製品ですか？ (Kore wa nyūseihin desu ka?) – “Is this a dairy product?”
• 卵は食べられません (Tamago wa taberaremasen) – “I can’t eat eggs.”
• グルテンは避けています (Guruten wa saketeimasu) – “I avoid gluten.”
• ナッツアレルギーがあります (Nattsu arerugī ga arimasu) – “I have a nut allergy.”
• ビーガンです (Bīgan desu) – “I’m vegan.”
• 魚は食べられません (Sakana wa taberaremasen) – “I can’t eat fish.”

Drinks and Beverages Vocabulary

Japanese dining is often accompanied by a wide range of beverages, from refreshing tea to smooth sake. Mastering how to order drinks can elevate your experience and make you feel more at home in any dining setting.

Ordering Tip:

• お水をお願いします (O-mizu o onegaishimasu) – Water, please.
• 生ビールをください (Nama bīru o kudasai) – Draft beer, please.
• コーヒーをください (Kōhī o kudasai) – Coffee, please.
• お茶をください (O-cha o kudasai) – Tea, please.

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How to Pay and Leave the Restaurant

In Japan, it’s common to pay at the front register rather than at the table. Here’s how to handle it:

Okaikei onegaishimasu (お会計お願いします): The bill, please.

Betsu betsu de onegaishimasu (別々でお願いします): Separately, please (if splitting the bill).

Issho de onegaishimasu (一緒でお願いします): Together, please (if paying for everyone).

Genkin de harai masu (現金で払います): I’ll pay with cash.

Kaado de ii desu ka? (カードでいいですか？): Can I use a card?

Reshīto o kudasai (レシートをください): Receipt, please.

Gochisousama deshita (ごちそうさまでした): Thank you for the meal (said after eating, as a polite goodbye).

Mata kimasu (また来ます): I’ll come again / See you next time.

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Common Menu Items and Ingredients

• Gohan (ご飯) – Rice
• Sakana (魚) – Fish
• Niku (肉) – Meat
• Tamago (卵) – Egg
• Miso shiru (味噌汁) – Miso soup

Example sentence:

• Tamago to gohan o onegaishimasu (卵とご飯をお願いします) – Eggs and rice, please.

Dining Etiquette Tips to Avoid Awkward Moments

Knowing how to act at the table is just as important as knowing what to say. Here are some simple tips to help you avoid awkward moments and fit right in when eating out in Japan :

Chopsticks: Never stick your chopsticks upright into a bowl of rice it resembles a funeral ritual. Instead, use the chopstick rest when not eating.

Passing Food: Don’t pass food directly from chopstick to chopstick. This also resembles a funeral custom.

Sharing Dishes: When sharing, use the opposite ends of your chopsticks (or serving utensils if provided) to transfer food to your plate.

Slurping: It’s totally okay to slurp noodles especially ramen. It shows you’re enjoying your meal and is not considered rude.

Volume: Keep your voice low. Speaking too loudly can disrupt the calm atmosphere typical of many Japanese eateries.

Before Eating: Say “Itadakimasu” (いただきます) as a way to show gratitude before starting your meal.

After Eating: Say “Gochisousama deshita” (ごちそうさまでした) to thank the chef or staff.

Dish Placement: Try to return dishes, bowls, and lids to the way they were served it’s a small but appreciated gesture.

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Enhance Your Japanese Dining Experience With Langlandia

Practice Vocab

in Japanese	Romanize	S
寿司	Sushi
たこ焼き	Takoyaki
お好み焼き	Okonomiyaki
焼き鳥	Yakitori
からあげ	Karaage
牛丼	Gyūdon
カレーライス	Karē Raisu
天ぷら	Tempura
ラーメン	Rāmen
うどん	Udon
そば	Soba
焼きそば	Yakisoba
親子丼	Oyakodon
しゃぶしゃぶ	Shabu Shabu
すき焼き	Sukiyaki
おにぎり	Onigiri
もんじゃ焼き	Monjayaki
ハンバーグ	Hanbāgu
餃子	Gyōza
たまごかけごはん	Tamago Kake Gohan
抹茶アイス	Matcha Aisu
たい焼き	Taiyaki
だんご	Dango
あんみつ	Anmitsu
もち	Mochi
わらび餅	Warabi Mochi
どら焼き	Dorayaki
プリン	Purin
かき氷	Kakigōri
みたらし団子	Mitarashi Dango
チーズドッグ	Chīzu Doggu
明太子パスタ	Mentaiko Pasuta
タルタルチキン	Tarutaru Chikin
ビフカツ	Bifu Katsu
アボカド丼	Abokado Don
スフレパンケーキ	Sufure Pankēki
ロールケーキ	Rōru Kēki
豆腐バーグ	Tōfu Bāgu
納豆トースト	Nattō Tōsuto
ベジラーメン	Beji Rāmen
おでん	Oden
いなり寿司	Inari Zushi
焼きいも	Yaki Imo
串カツ	Kushi Katsu
茶漬け	Chazuke
冷やし中華	Hiyashi Chūka
コンビニメシ	Konbini Meshi
唐揚げ棒	Karaage Bō
ゆず塩ラーメン	Yuzu Shio Rāmen
鶏白湯ラーメン	Tori Paitan Rāmen

Learning all this might seem like a lot, but Langlandia turns it into an adventure:

• PVP Battle: Go head-to-head and guess the correct phrases under pressure.
• Langlympics: Test your dining vocab with interactive challenges.
• Clan Wars: Learn in teams and unlock rare food-related expressions.
• Classroom Mode: Practice real ordering convos with sound and speech feedback.

Instead of flipping through flashcards, you’re gaining vocab through missions, challenges, and friendly competition.

Download here!