How to Order at Restaurants and Cafes in Japan

Many restaurants in major cities are increasingly accommodating to international visitors, and English menus are becoming more common in popular areas. Even so, knowing the basics of how ordering works in Japan can make meals feel smoother, less stressful, and more authentic. A few simple Japanese words and phrases can go a long way, especially at smaller local restaurants where English may be limited.

Understanding restaurant ordering culture in Japan

The ordering process in Japan depends on the type of restaurant or cafe you visit. Some places ask customers to order before sitting, while others take orders at the table. In more formal restaurants, much of the menu may already be decided before you arrive.

Ordering at fast casual restaurants and cafes

At fast-casual restaurants, fast food chains, bakeries, and trendy coffee shops, customers usually order and pay at the counter before sitting down. This style is common at places serving burgers, curry, rice bowls, coffee, pastries, sandwiches, bubble tea, and casual desserts.

Ordering at casual restaurants and kissaten

At many casual restaurants and traditional kissaten coffee shops, staff will seat you first and then take your order at the table. This is common at family restaurants, local cafes, teishoku restaurants, izakaya, soba shops, sushi restaurants, and many neighborhood dining spots.

Calling over staff is completely normal in Japan. Unlike in some countries where servers regularly check on tables, Japanese restaurant staff often wait until customers signal that they are ready.

The most common way to get attention is by saying sumimasen, which means “excuse me.” You can say it clearly while making eye contact or raising your hand slightly.

すみません。
Sumimasen.
Excuse me.

Ordering at fine dining restaurants in Japan

Fine dining restaurants in Japan often work differently from casual dining spots. Many high-end sushi restaurants, kaiseki restaurants, wagyu restaurants, and modern tasting-menu restaurants require reservations in advance.

In many cases, the meal is a predetermined course menu. Allergies, dietary restrictions, and major food aversions are usually communicated before the visit, not after arriving at the restaurant. This is especially important at restaurants with limited seating or chef-led menus, where ingredients are prepared in advance.

Reservations are often made through restaurant websites or booking platforms. Common reservation services include TableCheck, OMAKASE, TableAll, Tabelog, and Pocket Concierge.

Some platforms require a credit card to secure the booking. Depending on the restaurant, the amount charged at reservation may be treated as a deposit, incorporated into the final bill, or refunded after the meal. At some fine dining restaurants, the final bill is paid at the table, while others process payment through the reservation system or at the restaurant after dining.

Basic Japanese grammar for ordering

Ordering in Japanese can be simple once you learn a few basic patterns. You do not need perfect grammar to be understood, and pointing at the menu while using polite words is completely acceptable.

One of the easiest and most useful sentence patterns is using onegaishimasu, which means “please” in the context of making a request.

これをお願いします。
Kore o onegaishimasu.
This, please.

If you cannot read the menu, pointing while saying "kore" is very useful. Kore means “this,” and it is one of the most practical words travelers can learn.

これ、お願いします。
Kore, onegaishimasu.
This, please.

You can use the same phrase when pointing at menu items, display foods, drink options, or photos.

Useful counters for ordering food and drinks

Japanese uses counters when talking about quantities, but you do not need to learn all of them for restaurant ordering. The most useful basic numbers for ordering are hitotsu, futatsu, and mittsu.

You can combine these with menu items or simply say the number while pointing.

これを一つお願いします。
Kore o hitotsu onegaishimasu.
One of these, please.

これを二つお願いします。
Kore o futatsu onegaishimasu.
Two of these, please.

If you forget the numbers, holding up your fingers while pointing at the menu is perfectly fine.

Asking for something to be removed

If you want an ingredient removed, two useful expressions are nashi de and nuki de. Both can be used to mean “without,” although usage depends slightly on context.

“Nashi de” is often used casually to mean “without” or “none.”

ねぎなしでお願いします。
Negi nashi de onegaishimasu.
Without green onion, please.

Nuki de is often used when asking for an ingredient to be left out.

玉ねぎ抜きでお願いします。
Tamanegi nuki de onegaishimasu.
Please leave out the onion.

This can be helpful for ingredients such as onions, wasabi, mayonnaise, green onions, or spicy sauce. However, not every restaurant can accommodate modifications, especially ramen shops, sushi counters, small restaurants, and fine dining establishments.

Asking for add-ons and toppings

When you want to add something to your order, mo onegaishimasu and tsuika shite kudasai are useful phrases.

Mo means “also” or “more,” depending on the sentence.

卵もお願いします。
Tamago mo onegaishimasu.
Egg as well, please.

"Tsuika shite kudasai" means “please add.”

チーズを追加してください。
Chīzu o tsuika shite kudasai.
Please add cheese.

For a slightly softer and more natural restaurant phrase, you can also say the following.

チーズもお願いします。
Chīzu mo onegaishimasu.
Cheese as well, please.

This works well for toppings, side dishes, extra noodles, rice, sauces, or additional drinks.

Saying that your order is complete

When you are finished ordering, you can say ijou desu, which means “that’s all.”

以上です。
Ijou desu.
That’s all.

Another useful word is "toriaezu," which means “for now.” This is especially common at izakaya or casual restaurants when you want to order drinks and a few starters first, then order more later.

とりあえず、ビールをお願いします。
Toriaezu, bīru o onegaishimasu.
A beer for now, please.

とりあえず、以上です。
Toriaezu, ijou desu.
That’s all for now.

Paying at restaurants and cafes in Japan

Payment practices vary depending on the restaurant. At counter-service cafes and fast casual restaurants, you usually pay before sitting down. At casual sit-down restaurants, you usually bring the bill to the front register after finishing your meal. At fine dining restaurants, payment may be handled at the table or through the reservation platform.

Credit cards are widely accepted in many restaurants, especially in cities, department stores, hotels, and modern dining establishments. However, some small restaurants, older cafes, ramen shops, and neighborhood eateries may still be cash only.

Useful Japanese phrases for payment

If you want to pay by card, use the following phrase.

カードでお願いします。
Kādo de onegaishimasu.
By card, please.

For larger bills, staff may ask whether the payment will be made in one charge or split across multiple cards. If paying together, you can say issho de, meaning “together.”

一緒でお願いします。
Issho de onegaishimasu.
Together, please.

If you want to pay in cash, use this phrase.

現金でお願いします。
Genkin de onegaishimasu.
By cash, please.

If you want to ask whether credit cards are accepted before ordering, this phrase is useful.

カードは使えますか。
Kādo wa tsukaemasu ka?
Can I use a card?

Helpful Japanese ordering phrases

These simple phrases can make ordering much easier during your trip.

• すみません。 / Sumimasen.
  Excuse me.
• これをお願いします。 / Kore o onegaishimasu.
  This, please.
• 一つお願いします。 / Hitotsu onegaishimasu.
  One, please.
• 二つお願いします。 / Futatsu onegaishimasu.
  Two, please.
• おすすめは何ですか？ / Osusume wa nan desu ka?
  What do you recommend?
• 水をお願いします。 / Mizu o onegaishimasu.
  Water, please.
• 英語のメニューはありますか。 / Eigo no menyū wa arimasu ka?
  Do you have an English menu?
• 辛くないものはありますか。 / Karakunai mono wa arimasu ka?
  Do you have anything that is not spicy?
• 以上です。 / Ijou desu.
  That’s all.
• お会計お願いします。 / Okaikei onegaishimasu.
  The bill, please.

Enjoy dining in Japan with confidence

Ordering at restaurants and cafes in Japan is usually straightforward, even if you do not speak much Japanese. Many places are used to serving international visitors, and pointing, smiling, and using a few polite phrases can carry you through most dining situations.

Learning simple words such as sumimasen, kore, onegaishimasu, and ijou desu will make meals feel much smoother. More importantly, it can help you connect with Japan’s everyday food culture, from a quick coffee before sightseeing to an unforgettable dinner at a local restaurant.

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