Have you ever wanted to eat at a Japanese restaurant but felt nervous, wondering how to order food in Japanese?
For many international residents still learning the language, dining out in Japan can feel a little overwhelming.
This article provides practical phrases for foreigners who want to know how to order food in Japanese. From entering the restaurant to ordering, paying the bill, and saying thank you, you’ll find expressions you can use right away.
Every phrase comes with romaji and English translations, so you can follow along with ease.
And don’t worry—if you make small mistakes, most Japanese staff will understand and appreciate your effort.
We’ll also introduce YOLO DISCOVER, a free cultural experience service where you can practice your Japanese while enjoying authentic Japanese culture.
It’s a great way to build confidence and make dining in Japan more enjoyable!
1. Is it difficult to order food in a Japanese restaurant?
2. Essential phrases by situation (from entering to leaving)
3. Simple conversation examples with staff
4. Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)
5. Where to practice these Japanese phrases
6. Summary
Is it difficult to order food in a Japanese restaurant?
Common worries when dining out for the first time
When visiting a Japanese restaurant for the first time, many foreigners think:
“I can’t read the menu,” “How do I order?” or “What if I make a mistake?”
For those still studying Japanese, dining out can feel a little stressful.
Even when going with friends, you may feel anxious about whether you can take the lead in ordering.
You don’t need to be fluent to enjoy dining out
But there’s no need to worry too much.
In Japanese restaurants, the conversations you need are usually simple and predictable.
Phrases like “Mizu kudasai” (Water, please), “Kore onegaishimasu” (This one, please), or “O-kaikei onegaishimasu” (Check, please) are more than enough.
Even if you make small mistakes in Japanese, staff will try to understand you.
Don’t be afraid—just give it a try.
By learning the phrases introduced in the next sections, anyone can feel more confident and enjoy their meal in Japan.
Essential Phrases by Situation (Step by Step)
Here you’ll find the most common phrases you need when dining in Japan—from entering the restaurant → ordering → paying → leaving.
Think of this section as your quick “must-learn phrase list” to practice how to order food in Japanese.
When entering 🚪
When you enter, tell the staff how many people you are.
「すみません、2人です」
Romaji: Sumimasen, futari desu.
English: Excuse me, we are two people.
Just saying the number of people is enough. The staff will guide you to your seat.
When ordering 🍜
Ordering is simple—short phrases work perfectly.
「これお願いします」
Romaji: Kore onegaishimasu.
English: This one, please.
「水ください」
Romaji: Mizu kudasai.
English: Water, please.
Pointing at the menu while saying it makes it even easier.
When ordering something extra ➕🥤
Use this phrase if you’d like to add one more item during your meal.
「もう一つください」
Romaji: Mou hitotsu kudasai.
English: One more, please.
Simply saying “one more” works fine.
When paying 💴
When you’re finished eating, use this phrase to ask for the bill.
「お会計お願いします」
Romaji: O-kaikei onegaishimasu.
English: Check, please.
In many restaurants, you’ll pay at the cashier. The staff will guide you, so don’t worry.
When saying thank you 🙏
As you leave, thank the staff with this phrase.
「ごちそうさまでした」
Romaji: Gochisousama deshita.
English: Thank you for the meal.
This simple phrase leaves a polite and positive impression.
👉 Must-know Top 3 Phrases
・「水ください」 (Mizu kudasai / Water, please)
・「これお願いします」 (Kore onegaishimasu / This one, please)
・「お会計お願いします」 (O-kaikei onegaishimasu / Check, please)
Sample Conversations with Restaurant Staff
Here you can see how the phrases introduced earlier are used in real conversations.
From entering the restaurant to paying the bill, practice how to order food in Japanese through these short role-play examples.
Entering & Seating 🚪
Customer: 「すみません、2人です。」
Romaji: Sumimasen, futari desu. / English: Excuse me, two people.
Staff: 「いらっしゃいませ。こちらへどうぞ。」
Romaji: Irasshaimase. Kochira e douzo. / English: Welcome. This way, please.
Looking at the Menu 📖
Customer: 「おすすめはなんですか？」
Romaji: Osusume wa nan desu ka? / English: What do you recommend?
Staff: 「本日の定食がおすすめです。」
Romaji: Honjitsu no teishoku ga osusume desu. / English: Today’s set meal is recommended.
Placing an Order 🍜
Customer: (Pointing at the menu) 「これ、お願いします。」
Romaji: Kore, onegaishimasu. / English: This one, please.
Staff: 「お飲みものは？」
Romaji: O-nomimono wa? / English: Any drinks?
Customer: 「水ください。」
Romaji: Mizu kudasai. / English: Water, please.
Adding Another Order ➕🥤
Customer: 「すみません、もう一つください。」
Romaji: Sumimasen, mou hitotsu kudasai. / English: Excuse me, one more, please.
Staff: 「はい、かしこまりました。」
Romaji: Hai, kashikomarimashita. / English: Certainly.
Paying the Bill 💴
Customer: 「お会計お願いします。」
Romaji: O-kaikei onegaishimasu. / English: Check, please.
Staff: 「レジでおねがいします。」
Romaji: Reji de onegaishimasu. / English: Please pay at the cashier.
Saying Thank You 🙏
Customer: 「ごちそうさまでした。」
Romaji: Gochisousama deshita. / English: Thank you for the meal.
Staff: 「ありがとうございました。」
Romaji: Arigatou gozaimashita. / English: Thank you very much.
💡Tip
・If you don’t understand, say 「もういちどお願いします」 (Romaji: Mou ichido onegaishimasu / English: Please say it again).
・Don’t worry if your Japanese isn’t perfect. Speaking slowly and clearly usually works.
・Choose just one favorite phrase and use it repeatedly to build confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are answers to common questions about dining in Japan. Reading this section will help you feel even more confident when practicing how to order food in Japanese.
How are izakayas and cafes different? 🍹☕
In an izakaya, it’s common to order drinks first before food.
In many cafes, you often pay at the counter before sitting down.
Although the rules may differ depending on the place, phrases like 「これお願いします」 (Kore onegaishimasu / This one, please) and 「お会計お願いします」 (O-kaikei onegaishimasu / Check, please) are useful everywhere.
Tips for remembering food names 📖
Look at menus with photos or product labels in supermarkets, and memorize the pictures together with the names.
It also helps to quiz friends with “What is this in English? In Japanese?”
Through YOLO JAPAN’s cultural experiences, you can also naturally learn Japanese food names while enjoying activities.
Is it okay if my Japanese is a little wrong? 🙂
Yes, absolutely.
Most Japanese staff will try to understand your Japanese, even if it’s not perfect.
Even if you make small mistakes, pointing to the menu usually works just fine.
Don’t worry too much—just try speaking out loud.
Want to know common phrases used by staff? 🗣️
It’s also reassuring to understand what the staff might say when you dine out.
YOLO JAPAN has a helpful column summarizing the phrases commonly used by restaurant workers.
👉 Common Japanese phrases used by restaurant staff
Where to Practice Japanese Phrases
How to experience Japanese culture for free 🎌
The best way to master how to order food in Japanese is to practice using the phrases in real life.
But going to a restaurant every time can be costly.
That’s why we recommend YOLO DISCOVER—a service where international residents in Japan can join free cultural experiences.
From food and sightseeing to traditional crafts, there are many opportunities to try out your Japanese in a natural setting.
Try these phrases right now! 🚀
Why not use the phrases you learned here—like “Kore onegaishimasu” (This one, please) or “Mizu kudasai” (Water, please)—right away?
Join with friends to make the experience fun and stress-free.
Join YOLO DISCOVER and practice Japanese while having fun!
※ Sign in or register for free to see available experiences
Summary
The answer to “how to order food in Japanese”
Ordering food in a Japanese restaurant doesn’t need to be complicated—simple phrases are enough.
Start with these three essentials: 「これお願いします」 (Kore onegaishimasu / This one, please), 「水ください」 (Mizu kudasai / Water, please), and 「お会計お願いします」 (O-kaikei onegaishimasu / Check, please).
A small step leads to a great experience
Don’t worry if your Japanese isn’t perfect—small mistakes are okay. What matters is speaking out loud and giving it a try.
Invite your friends and practice today’s phrases in real life.
Go back to the Phrase List / Practice again with Conversation Examples
Created by: YOLO JAPAN Editorial Team (sharing lifestyle tips for international residents in Japan)
Last updated: September 2025