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Japanese Restaurant Vocabulary: 200+ Words & Phrases

Table of Contents
1. Japanese Restaurant Words
1.1. World Cuisines in Japan
1.2. General Restaurant Vocabulary
1.3. Meat & Poultry Vocabulary
1.4. Seafood Vocabulary
1.5. Vegetables & Fruits
1.6. Cooking & Food Preparation
1.7. Drinks & Alcohol
1.8. Dining Items & Utensils
1.9. Service & Payment Vocabulary
2. Japanese Restaurant Phrases
2.1. Asking for Recommendations
2.2. For Booking (Reservations)
2.3. Entering the Restaurant
2.4. Ordering Food from the Menu
2.5. Requesting During the Meal
2.6. Phrases for Ramen Shops
2.7. Phrases for Sushi Restaurants
2.8. Phrases for Izakaya (Japanese Pubs)
2.9. Finishing the Meal and Paying the Bill
2.10. Phrases After Eating
Japanese restaurant vocabulary is a must-know for travelers, students, and food lovers who want to enjoy authentic dining in Japan. In this guide, Mazii has collected over 200 useful words and phrases with clear explanations to help you order, ask questions, and interact naturally with Japanese restaurant staff.
Japanese restaurant vocabulary: 200+ must-know words & phrases
Japanese Restaurant Words
World Cuisines in Japan
Kana |
Kanji |
Romaji |
Meaning |
ちゅうごく/ちゅうか りょうり |
中国 / 中華料理 |
Chūgoku / Chūka ryōri |
Chinese |
かんこく りょうり |
韓国料理 |
Kankoku ryōri |
Korean |
べとなむ りょうり |
ベトナム料理 |
Betonamu ryōri |
Vietnamese |
たい りょうり |
タイ料理 |
Tai ryōri |
Thai |
いんど りょうり |
インド料理 |
Indo ryōri |
Indian |
めきしこ りょうり |
メキシコ料理 |
Mekishiko ryōri |
Mexican |
ふらんす りょうり |
フランス料理 |
Furansu ryōri |
French |
いたりあ りょうり |
イタリア料理 |
Itaria ryōri |
Italian |
General Restaurant Vocabulary
Kana |
Kanji |
Romaji |
Meaning |
きんえんせき |
禁煙席 |
kin’enseki |
No smoking table |
きつえんせき |
喫煙席 |
kitsuenseki |
Smoking table |
こしつ |
個室 |
koshitsu |
Private room |
こづれOK |
子連れOK |
kozure ōkē |
OK to bring children |
やけい |
夜景 |
yakei |
Night view |
じょしかい |
女子会 |
joshikai |
Girls’ gathering |
きねんび |
記念日 |
kinenbi |
Anniversary |
たべほうだい |
食べ放題 |
tabehōdai |
All you can eat |
のみほうだい |
飲み放題 |
nomihōdai |
All you can drink |
レストラン |
– |
resutoran |
Restaurant |
みせ |
店 |
mise |
Shop / store |
いざかや |
居酒屋 |
izakaya |
Japanese pub |
カフェ |
– |
kafe |
Cafe |
きっさてん |
喫茶店 |
kissaten |
Traditional coffee shop |
ファミレス |
– |
famiresu |
Family restaurant |
やたい |
屋台 |
yatai |
Food stall |
ていしょく |
定食 |
teishoku |
Set meal |
メニュー |
– |
menyū |
Menu |
ひるごはん |
昼ご飯 |
hirugohan |
Lunch |
よるごはん |
夜ご飯 |
yorugohan |
Dinner |
モーニング |
– |
mōningu |
Breakfast set |
こうす |
コース |
kōsu |
Course meal |
たんぴん |
単品 |
tanpin |
A la carte |
よやく |
予約 |
yoyaku |
Reservation |
せき |
席 |
seki |
Seat / table |
まどぎわ |
窓際 |
madogiwa |
Window seat |
かうんたー |
カウンター |
kauntā |
Counter seat |
Meat & Poultry Vocabulary
Kana |
Kanji |
Romaji |
Meaning |
にく |
肉 |
niku |
Meat |
ぎゅうにく |
牛肉 |
gyūniku |
Beef |
ぶたにく |
豚肉 |
butaniku |
Pork |
とりにく |
鶏肉 |
toriniku |
Chicken |
ひつじにく |
羊肉 |
hitsujiniku |
Lamb / mutton |
うし |
牛 |
ushi |
Cow |
ぶた |
豚 |
buta |
Pig |
とり |
鳥 |
tori |
Bird / chicken |
からあげ |
唐揚げ |
karaage |
Japanese fried chicken |
やきとり |
焼き鳥 |
yakitori |
Grilled chicken skewers |
ハム |
– |
hamu |
Ham |
そーせーじ |
ソーセージ |
sōsēji |
Sausage |
すきやき |
すき焼き |
sukiyaki |
Beef hot pot |
しゃぶしゃぶ |
– |
shabushabu |
Hotpot with thinly sliced meat |
ステーキ |
– |
sutēki |
Steak |
ハンバーグ |
– |
hanbāgu |
Hamburg steak |
Seafood Vocabulary
Kana |
Kanji |
Romaji |
Meaning |
さかな |
魚 |
sakana |
Fish |
えび |
海老 |
ebi |
Shrimp |
かに |
蟹 |
kani |
Crab |
いか |
烏賊 |
ika |
Squid |
たこ |
蛸 |
tako |
Octopus |
さけ |
鮭 |
sake |
Salmon |
まぐろ |
鮪 |
maguro |
Tuna |
はまち |
鰤 |
hamachi |
Yellowtail |
たい |
鯛 |
tai |
Sea bream |
うなぎ |
鰻 |
unagi |
Eel |
さんま |
秋刀魚 |
sanma |
Pacific saury |
さば |
鯖 |
saba |
Mackerel |
いくら |
イクラ |
ikura |
Salmon roe |
うに |
雲丹 |
uni |
Sea urchin |
かき |
牡蠣 |
kaki |
Oyster |
ほたて |
帆立 |
hotate |
Scallop |
Vegetables & Fruits
Kana |
Kanji |
Romaji |
Meaning |
やさい |
野菜 |
yasai |
Vegetables |
だいこん |
大根 |
daikon |
White radish |
きゅうり |
胡瓜 |
kyūri |
Cucumber |
なす |
茄子 |
nasu |
Eggplant |
ねぎ |
葱 |
negi |
Green onion |
たまねぎ |
玉葱 |
tamanegi |
Onion |
にんじん |
人参 |
ninjin |
Carrot |
じゃがいも |
馬鈴薯 |
jagaimo |
Potato |
さつまいも |
薩摩芋 |
satsumaimo |
Sweet potato |
きのこ |
木の子 |
kinoko |
Mushroom |
キャベツ |
– |
kyabetsu |
Cabbage |
レタス |
– |
retasu |
Lettuce |
ほうれんそう |
ほうれん草 |
hōrensō |
Spinach |
もやし |
萌やし |
moyashi |
Bean sprout |
りんご |
林檎 |
ringo |
Apple |
みかん |
蜜柑 |
mikan |
Mandarin orange |
いちご |
苺 |
ichigo |
Strawberry |
ばなな |
バナナ |
banana |
Banana |
Cooking & Food Preparation
Kana |
Kanji |
Romaji |
Meaning |
やく |
焼く |
yaku |
To grill / bake |
にる |
煮る |
niru |
To simmer |
むす |
蒸す |
musu |
To steam |
あげる |
揚げる |
ageru |
To deep fry |
ゆでる |
茹でる |
yuderu |
To boil |
いためる |
炒める |
itameru |
To stir-fry |
まぜる |
混ぜる |
mazeru |
To mix |
つけもの |
漬物 |
tsukemono |
Pickles |
しお |
塩 |
shio |
Salt |
しょうゆ |
醤油 |
shōyu |
Soy sauce |
みそ |
味噌 |
miso |
Soybean paste |
さけ |
酒 |
sake |
Rice wine |
す |
酢 |
su |
Vinegar |
あぶら |
油 |
abura |
Oil |
Drinks & Alcohol
Kana |
Kanji |
Romaji |
Meaning |
のみもの |
飲み物 |
nomimono |
Drinks |
みず |
水 |
mizu |
Water |
おちゃ |
お茶 |
ocha |
Tea |
こうちゃ |
紅茶 |
kōcha |
Black tea |
コーヒー |
– |
kōhī |
Coffee |
ぎゅうにゅう |
牛乳 |
gyūnyū |
Milk |
さけ |
酒 |
sake |
Japanese rice wine |
しょうちゅう |
焼酎 |
shōchū |
Distilled liquor |
にほんしゅ |
日本酒 |
nihonshu |
Japanese sake |
ビール |
– |
bīru |
Beer |
ワイン |
– |
wain |
Wine |
ウイスキー |
– |
uisukī |
Whisky |
カクテル |
– |
kakuteru |
Cocktail |
ジュース |
– |
jūsu |
Juice |
みるくてぃー |
ミルクティー |
miruku tī |
Milk tea |
Dining Items & Utensils
Kana |
Kanji |
Romaji |
Meaning |
はし |
箸 |
hashi |
Chopsticks |
すぷーん |
スプーン |
supūn |
Spoon |
ふぉーく |
フォーク |
fōku |
Fork |
ナイフ |
– |
naifu |
Knife |
さら |
皿 |
sara |
Plate |
ちゃわん |
茶碗 |
chawan |
Rice bowl |
おわん |
お椀 |
owan |
Soup bowl |
コップ |
– |
koppu |
Cup / glass |
グラス |
– |
gurasu |
Glass (drinks) |
ちゃわんむし |
茶碗蒸し |
chawanmushi |
Steamed egg custard (also a dish) |
おはしどころ |
箸置き |
hashioki |
Chopstick rest |
ナプキン |
– |
napukin |
Napkin |
さじ |
匙 |
saji |
Ladle / spoon |
Service & Payment Vocabulary
Kana |
Kanji |
Romaji |
Meaning |
おかいけい |
お会計 |
okaikei |
Bill / check |
べつべつ |
別々 |
betsubetsu |
Separately |
いっしょ |
一緒 |
issho |
Together |
かしこまりました |
– |
kashikomarimashita |
Certainly (polite staff reply) |
しょうしょうおまちください |
少々お待ちください |
shōshō omachi kudasai |
Please wait a moment |
かんじょう |
勘定 |
kanjō |
Payment |
げんきん |
現金 |
genkin |
Cash |
かーど |
カード |
kādo |
Credit card |
でんぴょう |
伝票 |
denpyō |
Receipt |
ぜいこみ |
税込み |
zeikomi |
Tax included |
べつりょう |
別料金 |
betsu ryōkin |
Extra charge |
Japanese Restaurant Phrases
Asking for Recommendations
When you’re not sure what to order, these polite phrases help you ask the staff for suggestions or the restaurant’s most popular dishes.
Kana |
Romaji |
Kanji |
Meaning |
おすすめはなんですか? |
Osusume wa nan desu ka? |
おすすめは何ですか? |
What do you recommend? |
にんきのりょうりはなんですか? |
Ninki no ryōri wa nan desu ka? |
人気の料理は何ですか? |
What’s the most popular dish? |
For Booking (Reservations)
Reservations are common in Japan, especially in popular or high-end restaurants. These phrases will help you secure a table.
Kana |
Romaji |
Kanji |
Meaning |
よやくをしたいのですが。 |
Yoyaku o shitai no desu ga. |
予約をしたいのですが。 |
I’d like to make a reservation. |
ふたりです。 |
Futari desu. |
二人です。 |
We are 2 people. |
さんにんです。 |
Sannin desu. |
三人です。 |
We are 3 people. |
よにんです。 |
Yonin desu. |
四人です。 |
We are 4 people. |
よやくできますか? |
Yoyaku dekimasu ka? |
予約できますか? |
Can I make a reservation? |
Entering the Restaurant
After arriving, you’ll usually be greeted with “Irasshaimase!” (Welcome!). Use the following phrases at the entrance.
Kana |
Romaji |
Kanji |
Meaning |
こんにちは。ふたりです。 |
Konnichiwa. Futari desu. |
こんにちは。二人です。 |
Hello. Two people. |
よやくしています。 |
Yoyaku shiteimasu. |
予約しています。 |
I have a reservation. |
いらっしゃいませ! |
Irasshaimase! |
いらっしゃいませ! |
Welcome! (said by staff) |
まどぎわのせきはあいていますか? |
Madogiwa no seki wa aiteimasu ka? |
窓際の席は空いていますか? |
Is a table by the window available? |
Ordering Food from the Menu
Here are common phrases for requesting menus, vegetarian dishes, or ordering directly.
Kana |
Romaji |
Kanji |
Meaning |
これをください。 |
Kore o kudasai. |
これをください。 |
I’ll have this, please. |
メニューをください。 |
Menyū o kudasai. |
メニューをください。 |
Please give me the menu. |
ベジタリアンのりょうりはありますか? |
Vegetarian no ryōri wa arimasu ka? |
ベジタリアンの料理はありますか? |
Do you have vegetarian options? |
えいごのメニューはありますか? |
Eigo no menyū wa arimasu ka? |
英語のメニューはありますか? |
Do you have an English menu? |
Requesting During the Meal
Use these phrases to request basic items like water, chopsticks, or dessert.
Kana |
Romaji |
Kanji |
Meaning |
みずをおねがいします。 |
Mizu o onegaishimasu. |
水をお願いします。 |
Water, please. |
おはしをください。 |
Ohashi o kudasai. |
お箸をください。 |
Please give me chopsticks. |
ナプキンをください。 |
Napukin o kudasai. |
ナプキンをください。 |
A napkin, please. |
デザートメニューはありますか? |
Dezāto menyū wa arimasu ka? |
デザートメニューはありますか? |
Do you have a dessert menu? |
Phrases for Ramen Shops
Ramen shops often ask for your noodle preference and allow extra servings.
Kana |
Romaji |
Kanji |
Meaning |
かえだまをおねがいします。 |
Kaedama o onegaishimasu. |
替え玉をお願いします。 |
Another serving of noodles. |
ラーメンはどのかたさにしますか? |
Rāmen wa dono katasa ni shimasu ka? |
ラーメンはどの硬さにしますか? |
How would you like your ramen? |
めんはかためでおねがいします。 |
Men wa katame de onegaishimasu. |
麺は固めでお願いします。 |
I'd like firm noodles, please. |
みそラーメンはありますか? |
Miso rāmen wa arimasu ka? |
味噌ラーメンはありますか? |
Do you have miso ramen? |
Phrases for Sushi Restaurants
Useful phrases for ordering sushi, avoiding allergens, or trusting the chef.
Kana |
Romaji |
Kanji |
Meaning |
おまかせでおねがいします。 |
Omakase de onegaishimasu. |
お任せでお願いします。 |
I’ll leave it up to the chef. |
なまざかながたべられません。 |
Namazakana ga taberaremasen. |
生魚が食べられません。 |
I can’t eat raw fish. |
かいせんアレルギーがあります。 |
Kaisen arerugī ga arimasu. |
海鮮アレルギーがあります。 |
I have a seafood allergy. |
わさびぬきでおねがいします。 |
Wasabi nuki de onegaishimasu. |
わさび抜きでお願いします。 |
Please remove the wasabi. |
Phrases for Izakaya (Japanese Pubs)
Izakayas are casual dining spots—great for drinks and shared plates.
Kana |
Romaji |
Kanji |
Meaning |
かんぱい! |
Kanpai! |
乾杯! |
Cheers! |
なまビールをおねがいします。 |
Nama bīru o onegaishimasu. |
生ビールをお願いします。 |
Draft beer, please. |
えだまめをひとつください。 |
Edamame o hitotsu kudasai. |
枝豆を一つください。 |
One edamame, please. |
やきとりはありますか? |
Yakitori wa arimasu ka? |
焼き鳥はありますか? |
Do you have yakitori? |
Finishing the Meal and Paying the Bill
Kanji |
Romaji |
Hiragana |
Meaning |
ご馳走さまでした。 |
Gochisōsama deshita. |
ごちそうさまでした。 |
Thank you for the meal. |
お会計をお願いします。 |
Okaikei o onegaishimasu. |
おかいけいをおねがいします。 |
Check, please. |
別々にお願いします。 |
Betsubetsu ni onegaishimasu. |
べつべつにおねがいします。 |
Separate checks, please. |
Phrases After Eating
Kana |
Romaji |
Kanji |
Meaning |
ごちそうさまでした。 |
Gochisōsama deshita. |
ご馳走さまでした。 |
Thank you for the meal. |
とてもおいしかったです。 |
Totemo oishikatta desu. |
とても美味しかったです。 |
It was very delicious. |
またきます。 |
Mata kimasu. |
また来ます。 |
I’ll come again. |
Learning Japanese restaurant vocabulary not only helps you order food with confidence but also deepens your cultural experience when dining in Japan. Whether you’re asking for recommendations, splitting the bill, or thanking the staff, these words and phrases will allow you to communicate politely and effectively.
=> Visit the Mizii website or download the Mizii app from the App Store or Google Play today and start learning Japanese family vocabulary!
>> Read more:
- 5 Best Japanese Vocab Apps for All Learners 2025
- Japanese Food Vocabulary List: 300+ Must-Know Words
- 130+ Japanese Vocabulary for Construction & Building
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