Japanese Restaurant Ordering Guide for Foreigners

Eating out in Japan is one of the great pleasures of living or traveling in this country—but for newcomers, even a simple lunch can feel intimidating. The staff may not speak English, the menu may be entirely in Japanese, and the etiquette is different from what most foreigners are used to. This guide walks you through every step of the restaurant experience, from walking in the door to paying the bill, so you can dine with confidence.

Japan has an extraordinary restaurant culture. Before the pandemic, the country had over one million operating restaurants—more per capita than almost anywhere else in the world—and more than one billion dinners are served annually in metropolitan areas alone. The sheer variety is staggering: from Michelin-starred temples of kaiseki cuisine to 500-yen ramen shops where you order from a vending machine. Whatever your budget or taste, Japan's dining scene has something for you.

Understanding Japanese Restaurant Types

Before you can order confidently, it helps to know what kind of restaurant you're walking into. Different establishments have different procedures.

Plastic food displays (called sampuru) outside many restaurants are a huge help for foreigners—you can see exactly what the dishes look like and what they cost before you even enter.

For a deeper dive into Japanese food culture and traditional dishes, check out our guide to Japanese Food and Cooking.

Walking In: Entry Etiquette

When you enter a Japanese restaurant, staff will almost always greet you with "Irasshaimase!" (いらっしゃいませ) — this means "Welcome!" You don't need to respond; just smile and acknowledge them.

The host or staff member will then ask how many people are in your party. The easiest response:

• 1 person: "Hitori desu" (一人です)
• 2 people: "Futari desu" (二人です)
• 3 people: "Sannin desu" (三人です)
• 4 people: "Yonin desu" (四人です)

You may also be asked "Kinen desu ka?" (禁煙ですか?)—"Non-smoking?" Say "Hai" (yes) for non-smoking, or "Kitsuen" (喫煙) if you want a smoking section (less common now).

Traditional seating: Some restaurants—particularly those serving Japanese cuisine—have tatami mat seating where you sit on cushions on the floor. Remove your shoes before stepping onto the tatami. Slippers are usually provided for trips to the bathroom.

Once seated, you'll typically receive:

• A glass of water or cold/hot tea (free of charge)
• An oshibori — a small damp towel for cleaning your hands. Use it on your hands only, not your face or the table.

Decoding the Menu and How to Order

This is where many foreigners feel stuck. Here's how to navigate it:

Option 1: Use the picture menu. Many restaurants—especially family restaurants and chains—have photo menus or digital tablet menus in English or with pictures. Tap or point at what you want.

Option 2: Point to the plastic display. If the restaurant has sampuru (plastic food models) outside, remember what caught your eye and point to the corresponding item on the menu or say "Soto no are" (それ, the one outside).

Option 3: Ask for recommendations. Say "Osusume wa nan desu ka?" (おすすめは何ですか？) — "What do you recommend?" Staff will usually point to popular items.

Option 4: Omakase. At higher-end restaurants, especially sushi counters, you can say "Omakase de onegaishimasu" (おまかせでお願いします) — "I'll leave it to the chef." This means you trust the chef to choose for you.

Getting Staff Attention

Unlike in Western restaurants, there is no assigned "server" in most Japanese restaurants. You call staff over when you're ready. The standard way:

• Say "Sumimasen!" (すみません) — "Excuse me!" — loudly enough to be heard, while raising your hand slightly.
• Or press the call button at the table if one is available (very common in izakayas and family restaurants since the pandemic).

Placing Your Order

Once you have staff attention:

• Point to the menu item and say: "Kore o kudasai" (これをください) — "This one, please."
• For multiples: "[Dish name] o futatsu kudasai" — "Two [dish name], please."
• When you've finished ordering: "Ijou desu" (以上です) — "That's all."

For drinks: "O-mizu kudasai" (お水ください) — "Water, please." Water is free and always available.

For more general dining and lifestyle tips, explore our guide to Daily Life in Japan for Foreigners.

Essential Japanese Phrases for Dining Out

Knowing a handful of phrases will make your restaurant experience dramatically smoother. Here are the most important ones:

For more language learning resources to help you navigate daily life in Japan, see our Complete Guide to Learning Japanese.

Paying the Bill: How It Works in Japan

Payment customs in Japan differ significantly from many Western countries.

Where to pay: In most Japanese restaurants, you do NOT pay at the table. When you're ready to leave, pick up your bill (which is usually placed on the table face-down during the meal) and bring it to the cashier near the exit. This is standard practice.

How to ask for the bill: Say "O-kaikei onegai shimasu" (お会計お願いします) or simply say "Okaikei." The staff will bring the total to the table or direct you to the register.

Splitting the bill: If dining with others, you can either pay as a group ("Issho de onegaishimasu" — together, please) or split it ("Betsu betsu de onegaishimasu" — separately, please). Note that splitting is not always possible at busy restaurants, so it's easier to handle it among yourselves.

Tipping: Do NOT tip in Japan. It is not part of the culture and can actually be seen as rude or confusing. Instead, show your appreciation by saying "Gochisousama deshita" (ごちそうさまでした) as you leave—this is the polite phrase meaning "thank you for the meal" and is always appreciated.

Payment methods:

• Cash is king at many smaller and traditional restaurants
• IC cards (Suica, Pasmo) are accepted at some chain restaurants
• Credit cards are increasingly accepted, but always check before ordering at smaller spots
• Average meal cost: ¥1,000–¥3,000 for most sit-down restaurants; ramen ¥800–¥1,500; beef bowls under ¥1,000

For more on managing money in Japan, see our Banking and Finance Guide for Foreigners.

Special Situations: Vending Machines, Izakayas, and Dietary Needs

Ticket Vending Machines (Shokken-ki)

Many ramen shops, gyudon chains, and some soba restaurants use a ticket vending machine at the entrance. Here's the process:

1. Look at the buttons (many now have photos or English)
2. Insert coins or bills
3. Press the button for your chosen item
4. Take the ticket(s) that print out
5. Hand the ticket to the staff when you sit down (or at the counter)

This system is actually very foreigner-friendly once you understand it—no need to speak Japanese at all.

Izakaya Dining

Izakayas are Japanese pubs that serve food alongside drinks—great for groups and socializing. Be aware:

• Otooshi (お通し): When you sit down, you'll receive a small appetizer dish automatically. This is not free—it's essentially a table/cover charge of ¥300–¥600 per person. You cannot refuse it.
• Orders are placed throughout the evening (not all at once)
• Most izakayas have all-you-can-drink (飲み放題, nomihoudai) courses—great value if you plan to drink
• Many have time limits (typically 2–3 hours)

Dietary Restrictions

Japan can be challenging for vegetarians and vegans, as fish stock (dashi) is used in many dishes that appear vegetarian. Being clear about allergies is important:

• Carry an allergen card in Japanese listing your restrictions (widely available online)
• Say: "[Food] arerugii ga arimasu" — "I have a [food] allergy"
• Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto have the most vegan/vegetarian-friendly options

For more on navigating Japanese culture and social situations, see our Japanese Culture and Etiquette Guide.

Making Reservations and Finding Restaurants

For popular or high-end restaurants, reservations are strongly recommended—and sometimes required.

Useful reservation and discovery platforms:

• Tabelog (tabelog.com) — Japan's most popular restaurant review site, with some English
• Gurunavi — English-friendly restaurant search and reservation tool
• Hot Pepper Gourmet — Popular for casual and izakaya dining with coupons
• Google Maps — Works well in Japan; reviews often include English comments

For more tips on navigating Japanese dining culture and food traditions, Living in Nihon's Japanese food culture guide is an excellent resource.

If you're interested in working in Japan's food service industry, For Work in Japan's hospitality guide covers the industry from an employment perspective.

For career resources and practical Japan life guides, Ittenshoku provides useful tools for foreigners building their lives in Japan.

For detailed restaurant recommendations and practical food guides in English, check out Japan Guide's dining section and Matcha's dining out guide.

Quick Reference: Your Complete Japanese Restaurant Cheat Sheet

Here's everything you need in one place for your next restaurant visit:

Dining in Japan doesn't require fluency in Japanese or deep knowledge of local customs—most restaurant staff are accustomed to foreign guests and are patient and helpful. With these basics in hand, you're ready to explore one of the world's most exciting food cultures. Enjoy your meal!