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Japanese Restaurant Vocabulary: 200+ Words & Phrases

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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





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





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





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





ushi



Cow



ぶた





buta



Pig



とり





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





sakana



Fish



えび



海老



ebi



Shrimp



かに





kani



Crab



いか



烏賊



ika



Squid



たこ





tako



Octopus



さけ





sake



Salmon



まぐろ





maguro



Tuna



はまち





hamachi



Yellowtail



たい





tai



Sea bream



うなぎ





unagi



Eel



さんま



秋刀魚



sanma



Pacific saury



さば





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





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





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





shio



Salt



しょうゆ



醤油



shōyu



Soy sauce



みそ



味噌



miso



Soybean paste



さけ





sake



Rice wine







su



Vinegar



あぶら





abura



Oil


Drinks & Alcohol


Kana



Kanji



Romaji



Meaning



のみもの



飲み物



nomimono



Drinks



みず





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





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





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





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





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!

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