20 Useful Japanese Phrases for Restaurants & Izakaya in Japan

English Guide with Japanese & Romaji is available here!

One of the greatest pleasures of traveling in Japan is the food.
From sushi and ramen to izakaya and small local restaurants, the choices are endless!

However, once you actually step into a restaurant, many travelers start to worry:

“How do I order?”

“What if English isn’t spoken?”

If this sounds familiar, don’t worry—you’re not alone.

That’s why in this article, we’ve carefully organized Japanese phrases that are truly useful in restaurants and izakaya, grouped by real-life situations.

If you remember just these phrases, eating out in Japan will feel much more comfortable and stress-free!

When Entering a Restaurant and Getting Seated

In Japan, the very first word you say when entering a restaurant matters.
Here are some simple phrases that help from the moment you walk in until you are seated.

1. こんにちは → Hello → Konnichiwa
   Use this when entering a restaurant or café during the daytime.
2. こんばんは → Good evening → Konbanwa
   Say this when entering an izakaya or restaurant in the evening.
3. 〇人です → We are ○ people → ○-nin desu
   Use this to tell the staff how many people are in your group.
   (Example: San-nin desu = “We are three people.”)
4. 予約していません → We don’t have a reservation → Yoyaku shiteimasen
   Say this if you walk in without a reservation.

Looking at the Menu and Choosing What to Order

Once you are seated, the next step is choosing your food.
Just being able to ask about the menu or recommendations greatly lowers the stress of ordering.

1. メニューをください → Menu, please → Menyuu o kudasai
   Use this as soon as you sit down.
2. 英語のメニューはありますか？ → Do you have an English menu? → Eigo no menyuu wa arimasu ka?
   Ask this if you’re hoping for an English menu.
3. おすすめは何ですか？ → What do you recommend? → Osusume wa nan desu ka?
   This is especially useful at izakaya when you’re not sure what to order.

Ordering and Asking for More

In Japanese restaurants and izakaya, short Japanese phrases combined with pointing work perfectly.
Here are the most commonly used ordering phrases.

1. これください → This one, please → Kore kudasai
   Point at the menu and say this—it’s simple and effective.
2. これをお願いします → I’ll have this → Kore o onegaishimasu
   A slightly more polite way to order.
3. 同じものをもう一つください → One more of the same, please → Onaji mono o mou hitotsu kudasai
   Use this when ordering another round of the same dish or drink.
4. ビールをください → Beer, please → Biiru o kudasai
   One of the most commonly used phrases in izakaya.
5. お水をください → Water, please → Omizu o kudasai
   Water is often free in Japan, and it’s perfectly fine to ask for it.

During the Meal

When your food arrives, try adding a small Japanese phrase.
Even if your pronunciation isn’t perfect, your intention will come across.

1. いただきます → Let’s eat / Thank you for the meal → Itadakimasu
   A traditional Japanese phrase said before starting to eat.
2. おいしいです！ → It’s delicious! → Oishii desu!
   Saying this often brings smiles and creates a friendly atmosphere.
3. すみません → Excuse me → Sumimasen
   Super useful phrase used to get the staff’s attention.

Dietary Restrictions, Paying, and Leaving

If you have allergies or dietary restrictions—or when you’re ready to leave—these phrases are very helpful to know.

1. アレルギーがあります → I have an allergy → Arerugii ga arimasu
   Make sure to say this before ordering.
2. 〇〇は食べられません → I can’t eat ○○ → ○○ wa taberaremasen
   Use this for allergies, preferences, or religious restrictions.
3. お会計お願いします → Check, please → Okaikei onegaishimasu
   Say this when you are ready to pay.
4. カードは使えますか？ → Can I use a credit card? → Kaado wa tsukaemasu ka?
   Especially important at small restaurants or local izakaya.
5. ありがとうございます → Thank you → Arigatou gozaimasu
   A magical phrase you can use again and again—from entering to leaving.

Final Thoughts

At Japanese restaurants, you don’t need to speak fluent Japanese at all.

By using just a few short and simple phrases like the ones introduced here, you’ll notice that:

• Ordering becomes smoother
• Communication with staff feels warmer
• Mealtimes become more enjoyable and memorable

You will be able to feel the change that

And even if you forget the words, don’t worry.
Pointing, smiling, and saying one Japanese phrase will usually get you through just fine.

Use this phrase guide and fully enjoy dining at Japanese restaurants and izakaya during your trip! 🍣🍶

If you ever feel completely stuck, using a translation app such as Google Translate as a backup can also help.
However, remember that simple and short Japanese phrases are often easier to understand, so using both together works best.