Food 食 · Stop F02

注文

Ordering food in Japanese

You've squeezed into a tiny seafood-bowl shop at Tsukiji Outer Market, and the menu on the wall is all in Japanese. Ask for an English menu and a recommendation, order by pointing, and ask for water.

築地場外市場 · Set in Tsukiji Outer Market, Tokyo
6-minute lesson
With Ekiben Pass

Phrases

これをお願いします

これをおねがいします

kore o onegaishimasu

This one, please.

Point at the menu or the photo as you say it. Works for any dish, no reading needed.

これkore · this (one)をo · (object)お願いしますonegaishimasu · please

おすすめは何ですか？

おすすめはなんですか？

osusume wa nan desu ka?

What do you recommend?

Staff love this question. You'll often hear about the house specialty.

おすすめosusume · recommendationはwa · (topic)何nan · whatですかdesu ka · is it?

英語のメニューはありますか？

えいごのメニューはありますか？

eigo no menyuu wa arimasu ka?

Do you have an English menu?

Many places in big cities have one, or a menu with photos you can point at.

英語のeigo no · English-languageメニューmenyuu · menuはwa · (topic)ありますかarimasu ka · is there?

お水をください

おみずをください

omizu o kudasai

Water, please.

Water and tea are usually free. At casual places, look for a self-service jug.

Pattern: 〜をください

お水omizu · waterをo · (object)くださいkudasai · please give

注文をお願いします

ちゅうもんをおねがいします

chuumon o onegaishimasu

We'd like to order.

Call すみません! first to get attention, then say this.

注文chuumon · orderをo · (object)お願いしますonegaishimasu · please

いただきます

itadakimasu

Let's eat! (Thanks for the food.)

Said just before eating, often with your hands together. A small habit everyone appreciates.

What you’ll hear

Staff talk fast. Here’s what they are likely to say at this stop, and a good answer.

ご注文はお決まりですか？

gochuumon wa okimari desu ka?

Are you ready to order?

The server checks whether you've decided.

You

これをお願いします

kore o onegaishimasu

This one, please.

以上でよろしいですか？

ijou de yoroshii desu ka?

Will that be all?

Staff repeat your order back and check that you're done.

You

はい、お願いします

hai, onegaishimasu

Yes, please.

お待たせしました

omatase shimashita

Here you are. (Thanks for waiting.)

Said when your food arrives, even if it only took a minute.

You

ありがとうございます

arigatou gozaimasu

Thank you.

Culture tip

Just Call Sumimasen!

Servers in Japan won't keep checking on you. When you're ready to order, raise your hand and call すみません! (sumimasen). Many tables also have a call button. Water or tea is usually free, and at casual places it's often self-service.

“When you're ready to order, it's normal to call out すみません to a server.”

Practice scene

What's Good Today?

A tiny seafood-bowl shop at Tsukiji Outer Market. The menu on the wall is all in Japanese.

Mr. Ishida · Server

いらっしゃいませ。こちら、メニューです。

irasshaimase. kochira, menyuu desu.

Welcome. Here's the menu.
Your turn: The menu is all in Japanese. Ask for one in English.

英語のメニューはありますか？

eigo no menyuu wa arimasu ka?

Do you have an English menu?
はい、こちらをどうぞ。

hai, kochira o douzo.

Sure, here you go.
Your turn: Everything looks good. Ask what he recommends.

おすすめは何ですか？

osusume wa nan desu ka?

What do you recommend?
今日はマグロ丼がおすすめです。

kyou wa maguro-don ga osusume desu.

Today we recommend the tuna bowl.
Your turn: Point at the tuna bowl on the menu and order it.

これをお願いします

kore o onegaishimasu

This one, please.
かしこまりました。少々お待ちください。

kashikomarimashita. shoushou omachi kudasai.

Certainly. One moment, please.

Phrases from Ekiben content v3