Restaurant

❃ Restaurant

予約しています。３人です。 [ yoyaku shite imasu san-nin desu ]: I have a reservation for 3 people.
禁煙席をお願いします。 [ Kin’en-seki o onegaishimasu ]: Non-smoking seat, please.
英語のメニューはありますか？ [ Eigo no menyū wa arimasu ka? ]: Do you have an English menu?
おすすめは何ですか？ [ Osusume wa nan desu ka ]: What do you recommend?
これをください。 [ Kore o kudasai ]: I’ll have this, please.
コーヒー/ビール/コーラを2つお願いします。 [ koohii/bīru/koora o futatsu onegaishimasu ]: Two coffees/beers/cola, please.
ベジタリアンメニューはありますか？ [ Bejitarian menyū wa arimasu ka ]: Do you have a vegetarian menu
お水をください。 [ O-mizu o kudasai ]: Water, please.
お箸をください。 [ Ohashi o kudasai ]: Chopsticks, please.
お会計をお願いします。 [ O-kaikei o onegaishimasu ]: The check, please.
別々に払えますか？ [ Betsubetsu ni haraemasu ka? ]: Can we pay separately?
ごちそうさまでした。 [ Gochisōsama deshita ]: Thank you for the meal.
いらっしゃいませ。何名様ですか。 [ Irasshaimase. Nanmeisama desu ka. ]: Welcome. How many people?
二人です。 [ Futari desu. ]: Two people.
ご予約はされていますか。 [ Goyoyaku wa sarete imasu ka. ]: Do you have a reservation?
スミスで予約しています。 [ Sumisu de yoyaku shite imasu. ]: I have a reservation under Smith.
少々お待ちください。 [ Shoushou omachi kudasai. ]: Please wait a moment.
ただいま満席です。 [ Tadaima manseki desu. ]: We are fully booked right now.
どのくらい待ちますか。 [ Dono kurai machimasu ka. ]: How long is the wait?
テーブル席とカウンター席、どちらがよろしいですか。 [ Teeburuseki to kauntaaseki, dochira ga yoroshii desu ka. ]: Table or counter seat?
テーブル席でお願いします。 [ Teeburuseki de onegaishimasu. ]: A table, please.
個室はありますか。 [ Koshitsu wa arimasu ka. ]: Do you have a private room?
あともう一人来ます。 [ Ato mou hitori kimasu. ]: One more person is coming.
ここに座ってもいいですか。 [ Koko ni suwatte mo ii desu ka. ]: May we sit here?
今、お店は開いていますか。 [ Ima, omise wa aite imasu ka. ]: Are you open now?

Cultural notes

Entering a Japanese restaurant is an auditory experience unlike any other. The moment you cross the threshold, the staff will enthusiastically shout "Irasshaimase!" (いらっしゃいませ), which translates to "Welcome, please come in!" As a customer, you are not expected to reply verbally to this greeting; simply acknowledging it with a slight nod or eye contact is perfectly sufficient. A critical rule in Japan is that you should almost never seat yourself. You must wait at the entrance for the host, who will immediately ask "Nanmeisama desu ka?" (何名様ですか - How many people are in your party?). You can respond using your fingers or by stating the number, such as "Futari desu" (二人です - Two people). The staff will then guide you to your table. Another crucial cultural aspect of dining in Japan is the division of smoking and non-smoking areas. While public health laws have become much stricter recently, many traditional establishments, izakayas, and old-school cafes (kissaten) still allow indoor smoking. The host will likely ask if you prefer a smoking seat, "Kitsuenseki" (喫煙席), or a non-smoking seat, "Kin'enseki" (禁煙席). If you made a reservation beforehand, you should state "Yoyaku shite imasu" (予約しています - I have a reservation) upon arrival. Some upscale restaurants or traditional ryotei might feature private rooms known as "Koshitsu" (個室), which are highly prized for business dinners or intimate gatherings. Lastly, it is customary in many traditional Japanese restaurants to take off your shoes before stepping onto the tatami mats. You must place them neatly in the provided wooden lockers at the entrance, and you will walk to your table in your socks.

✣

← Driving and cycling Contents Ordering food →

Other sections

Greetings Politeness and apologies Aizuchi and reactions Understanding and repeating Introducing yourself Basic questions Numbers and classifiers Time and dates Requests and permissions Speech levels Asking directions Location Station and tickets IC cards Train and Shinkansen Subway Bus Taxi Airport Driving and cycling Ordering food Izakaya Fast food Diets and allergies Bill and takeaway Convenience stores Supermarket and street stalls Clothes shopping Shopping and tax-free Checkout and refunds Hotel and Ryokan Room and facilities Onsen and public baths Check-out and lockers AirBnb and rules Wi-Fi and SIM Bank and money Post and administration Lost and found General health Describing symptoms Pains and body Pharmacy Hospital and clinic Emergencies Natural disasters Police and accidents Travel problems Family Work and colleagues Feelings and emotions Hobbies and pop culture Tourism and impressions Weather and seasons Invitations and outings Opinions and refusals Visiting someone's home Farewells and contact