ORDERING A MEAL 

• 1. I'll have this, please.

     • Japanese: これをお願いします

     • Reading: Kore o onegai shi-masu.

  2. I'll have this one and these ones, please. 

     • Japanese: これとこれをお願いします

     • Reading: Kore to kore o onegai shi-masu.

  3. I'll take this as well. 

     • Japanese: これも下さい

     • Reading: Kore mo kudasai.
       
       

  Key Vocabulary / 単語:

1. This : これ 「Kore」

2. Please / I'd like to request... : お願いします 「Onegai shi-masu」

Tip: You can simply point at the picture or item on the menu and say "Kore." This is the most common way to order in Japan!

• 1. 1. What is your recommendation?

        • Japanese: おすすめは何ですか？

        • Reading: Osusume wa nan desu ka?

     2. What is today's special? 

        • Japanese: 今日のお勧めは何ですか？（今日のお勧め／特別メニューは何ですか？） 

        • Reading: Kyō no osusume wa nan desu ka?

     3.  I'd like to try something in season, please.

        • Japanese: 旬のものを食べてみたいです。

        • Reading: Shun no mono o tabete mitai desu. 

  Key Vocabulary / 単語:

• Recommendation : おすすめ 「Osusume」

• What is it?  : 何ですか 「Nan desu ka」

• in season / seasonal : 旬　「Shun」

• 1. I’ll have what they are having.

     • Japanese: あちらと同じものをください。

     • Reading: Achira to onaji mono o kudasai.

  2. Another one of these, please. 

     • Japanese: これと同じものをもう一つ 

     • Reading: Kore to onaji mono o mō hitotsu, onegai shi-masu. 

Tip: This is a very useful phrase when you see a delicious-looking dish on another table!

1. Another

This word is perfect for ordering a second round. You can just say "Another [item], please."

• Example: "Another beer, please."
  (Bīru o mō ippai onegai shi-masu.)

2. The same

Use this when you want exactly what someone else has or what you just finished.

• Example: "I'll have the same as him."
  (Kare to onaji mono o kudasai.)

3. That's all

This is the standard way to signal you are finished ordering.

• Example: "That's all for now, thank you."
  (Iijō de onegai shi-masu.)

• 1. Is this spicy?

     • Japanese: これは辛いですか？

     • Reading: Kore wa karai desu ka?

  2. No wasabi, please.

     • Japanese: わさび抜きでお願いします。

     • Reading: Wasabi-nuki de onegai shi-masu.

  Key Vocabulary / 単語

• Spicy : 辛い 「Karai」

• No wasabi : わさび抜き 「Wasabi-nuki」

• Please : お願いします 「Onegai shi-masu」

1. I have an allergy to  [item] .

• Japanese: 〇〇アレルギーがあります。

• Reading: 〇〇 arerugī ga ari-masu.

2. Can you leave out [item]? 

   • Japanese: 〇〇は省くことはできますか？

   • Reading:  [item] wa habuku koto wa deki-masu ka? 

3. Please put [item] on a separate plate.

   • Japanese: 〇〇は、別のお皿に入れて下さい。

   • Reading: [Item] wa, betsu no o-sara ni irete kudasai.
     
     

  Key Vocabulary / 単語:

• Milk (Dairy)

  • Japanese: 牛乳（乳製品）

  • Reading: Gyūnyū (Nyūshōhin)

• Wheat (Flour)

  • Japanese: 小麦（小麦粉）

  • Reading: Komugi (Komugiko)

• Buckwheat (Soba)

  • Japanese: そば

  • Reading: Soba

• Nuts

  • Japanese: ナッツ類

  • Reading: Nattsu-rui

• Walnuts

  • Japanese: クルミ

  • Reading: Kurumi

• Fish

  • Japanese: 魚類

  • Reading: Gyo-rui
    
    

Tip: If you have a severe allergy, it's helpful to have a "communication card" with the Japanese word written on it to show the staff.

What is this dish? I didn't order it.

• Japanese: これは何ですか？ 注文していません。

• Reading: Kore wa nan desu ka? Chūmon shite imasen.

Tip: The Japanese "Table Charge" (Otōshi) In many Japanese izakayas (pubs), you will be served a small appetizer called "Otōshi" automatically.

• It's a service fee: This is a mandatory table charge (usually 300–500 yen) and is standard practice in Japan.

• No Tipping: Since there is no tipping culture in Japan, think of this as a small fee for your seat and the hospitality.