Ordering a meal

1. PLACING AN ORDER / 注文するとき

• 1. "I'll have this, please."

     • Japanese: これをお願いします

     • Reading: Kore o onegaishimasu.

• 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 onegaishimasu.

• 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 「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!

2. ASKING FOR RECOMMENDATIONS / おすすめを聞くとき

• 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?

Key Vocabulary / 単語:

1. Recommendation おすすめ 「Osusume」

2. What is it? 何ですか 「Nan desu ka」

3. ORDERING THE SAME AS OTHERS / 同じものを注文するとき

• 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, 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.)

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 onegaishimasu.)

4. DIETARY PREFERENCES / 好みや味を確認するとき

• 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 onegaishimasu.

Key Vocabulary / 単語

1. Spicy 辛い 「Karai」

2. No wasabi わさび抜き 「Wasabi-nuki」

3. Please お願いします 「Onegaishimasu」

5. DIETARY RESTRICTIONS / 苦手なものやアレルギーを伝えるとき

"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.

6. UNDERSTANDING "OTOSHI" / お通しについて（重要）

"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.