"I'll have this, please."
Japanese: これをお願いします
Reading: Kore o onegaishimasu.
"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 onegaishimasu.
"I'll take this as well. "
Japanese: これも下さい
Reading: Kore mo kudasai.
Key Vocabulary / 単語:
This これ 「Kore」
Please / I'd like to request... お願いします 「Onegaishimasu」
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!
"What is your recommendation?"
Japanese: おすすめは何ですか?
Reading: Osusume wa nan desu ka?
"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?
Key Vocabulary / 単語:
Recommendation おすすめ 「Osusume」
What is it? 何ですか 「Nan desu ka」
"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.
"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, onegaishimasu.
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 onegaishimasu.)
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.)
This is the standard way to signal you are finished ordering.
Example: "That's all for now, thank you." (Iijō de onegaishimasu.)
"Is this spicy?"
Japanese: これは辛いですか?
Reading: Kore wa karai desu ka?
"No wasabi, please."
Japanese: わさび抜きでお願いします。
Reading: Wasabi-nuki de onegaishimasu.
Spicy 辛い 「Karai」
No wasabi わさび抜き 「Wasabi-nuki」
Please お願いします 「Onegaishimasu」
"I have an allergy to (item)."
Japanese: 〇〇アレルギーがあります。
Reading: 〇〇 arerugī ga arimasu.
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: Gyorui
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.