Japan offers a wide variety of restaurants for every budget and occasion. Specialized restaurants focus on one type of cuisine. Sushi-ya serves sushi ranging from conveyor belt style to high-end omakase. Ramen-ya specializes in hearty noodle soups with rich broths, while soba-ya serves traditional buckwheat noodles, either hot or cold. These places often reflect the local flavors and customs of the region. Family restaurants, called “famiresu” in Japanese, offer a more general menu with a mix of Western, Japanese, and Chinese dishes. Chains like Gusto and Jonathan’s are popular for their affordability and English-friendly menus. Izakaya are casual places for drinking and sharing small plates, while cafes serve light meals and desserts, ranging from traditional kissaten to international coffee chains. Foreign cuisine is also widely available. You can find Italian restaurants, Korean barbecue, and American-style burger joints like Mos Burger and McDonald’s. Saizeriya, an Italian-style family restaurant, is especially known for offering great value and a relaxed atmosphere.
When you want to order something at a restaurant, simply say “これください (Kore kudasai).” This means “This, please,” and is especially useful when pointing to a menu item or a dish on display. The word “kore” refers to something close to you, and “kudasai” is a polite way to make a request. This phrase is short, effective, and often used by locals as well.
After saying “Kore kudasai,” you may hear the staff say “かしこまりました (Kashikomarimashita),” which means “Certainly,” or “しょうしょうおまちください (Shoushou omachi kudasai),” which means “Please wait a moment.” If you’re asked “サイズはいかがなさいますか (Saizu wa ikaga nasaimasu ka),” it means they’re asking what size you’d like. You might respond with “レギュラーでおねがいします (Regyura de onegaishimasu)” for a regular size, or “いちばんおおきいサイズでおねがいします (Ichiban ookii saizu de onegaishimasu)” for the largest option. If asked whether you will dine in or take out, you can say “てんないです (Tennai desu)” for dine-in or “もちかえりです (Mochikaeri desu)” for take-out.
If you want to ask whether a restaurant has something, such as a fork, you can say “フォークありますか (Fōku arimasu ka)?” which means “Do you have a fork?” The structure is very simple and adaptable. Replace “fōku” with other words such as “supūn” for spoon, “eigo no menyū” for English menu, or “kami epuron” for paper apron.
When you ask “arimasu ka,” you may hear responses like “はい、ございます (Hai, gozaimasu - Yes, we have it),” or “すみません、ありません (Sumimasen, arimasen - Sorry, we don’t have it).” Staff might also say “かくにん いたします (Kakunin itashimasu)” if they need to check, or “すぐおもちいたします (Sugu omochi shimasu)” if they are bringing the item to you right away. These are all useful expressions to listen for during your meal.
Japan is full of affordable and delicious local specialties known as B-grade gourmet, or “B-kyū gurume.” These dishes are popular comfort foods and often unique to specific regions. Okonomiyaki is a savory pancake from Osaka and Hiroshima, made with cabbage and meat or seafood, cooked on a griddle. Takoyaki are octopus-filled batter balls that are flipped to crispy perfection and topped with sauce, mayo, and bonito flakes. Monjayaki, a Tokyo specialty, has a thinner batter and is eaten directly off the griddle with small spatulas.
When entering a restaurant, staff will greet you with “いらっしゃいませ (Irasshaimase).” They may ask “なんめいさまですか (Nan mei-sama desu ka),” meaning “How many people are in your party?” Once seated, you might hear “ごちゅうもんは おきまりですか (Gochuumon wa okimari desu ka),” asking if you’re ready to order. You can respond with “はい、これください (Hai, kore kudasai)” or say “いいえ、まだです (Iie, mada desu)” if you need more time. When your food arrives, the staff may say “おまたせしました (Omatase shimashita),” meaning “Thank you for waiting,” and “ごゆっくりどうぞ (Goyukkuri douzo),” inviting you to enjoy your meal at a relaxed pace.
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Japanese language educator with over 15 years of experience in higher education and curriculum development. She currently teaches at Knox College and advises language learning initiatives such as gokigen japanese. She has held teaching roles at institutions including Valdosta State University, and has a strong background in cultural programming, instructional design, and Japanese language education. Education: M.A. in Japanese (Pedagogy), Florida State University. Certification: Passed Japanese Language Teaching Competency Test. Completed the 420-hour Japanese Language Teacher Training Course.
