10 Common Japanese Words Seen in Restaurants | From Menus to the Bill
We have compiled 10 essential N5 vocabulary words most frequently used in restaurants when traveling in Japan.
You can grasp key vocabulary for various situations at a glance, from reading the menu to ordering, paying, and getting takeout.
Practical examples and pronunciations are provided so you can use them immediately in actual restaurants.
How this bundle was curated
All items at a glance
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| メニュー | メニュー | Menu |
| 注文 | ちゅうもん | Order |
| おすすめ | おすすめ | Recommendation |
| 定食 | ていしょく | Set meal |
| 会計 | かいけい | Bill |
| 箸 | はし | Chopsticks |
| 辛い | からい | Spicy |
| アレルギー | アレルギー | Allergy |
| 持ち帰り | もちかえり | Takeout |
| 予約 | よやく | Reservation |
Item by item
Reading: メニュー
Menu
This is the first word you look for when entering a restaurant. It is useful when asking if they have a foreign language menu.
Reading: ちゅうもん
Order
You will often hear this word when a staff member approaches and asks, 'Are you ready to order?' (ご注文はお決まりですか).
Reading: おすすめ
Recommendation
A great word to use when there are too many items on the menu and you aren't sure what to eat.
Reading: ていしょく
Set meal
Refers to a set meal that typically includes rice, soup, and a main dish. They are often a great value.
Reading: かいけい
Bill
It is natural to say 'Okaikei o onegaishimasu' when you finish your meal and are ready to pay.
Reading: はし
Chopsticks
Japanese restaurants usually provide disposable wooden chopsticks (割り箸, waribashi). You can use this word to ask for a new pair if you drop yours.
Reading: からい
Spicy
If you are not good with spicy food, it is best to check before ordering.
Reading: アレルギー
Allergy
If you have an allergy to a specific food, it directly affects your health, so you must mention it in advance.
Reading: もちかえり
Takeout
Means takeout. This is one of the most frequently asked questions at restaurants or cafes: whether you will eat in or take it to go.
Reading: よやく
Reservation
When visiting a popular restaurant, it is best to make a reservation in advance. This word is used when the staff checks your reservation at the entrance.
Practice with examples
How to decide when unsure
- When asking for the bill at a restaurant, it is much more natural to use the expression 'お会計 (okaikei)' rather than the Sino-Japanese word '計算 (keisan)'.
- When you want takeout, the English loanword 'テイクアウト (teikuauto)' is understood, but '持ち帰り (mochikaeri)' is a more widely and commonly used expression in Japan.
Common mistakes
If you directly translate the English word 'calculate' or 'bill' and say '計算(けいさん)をお願いします', it sounds unnatural because it implies asking for a mathematical calculation. In restaurants and shops, it is standard to use 'お会計(おかいけい)'.
Wrong example: 計算をお願いします。/Correct example: お会計をお願いします。
Remember to use 'okaikei' at restaurants.
Mini quiz
Which of the following is the most natural phrase to say to a staff member when paying the bill after a meal?
One-line summary
Knowing just these 10 essential words frequently used in restaurants will make dining during your trip to Japan much more comfortable and enjoyable.
FAQ
What does 'お冷 (ohiya)' mean when I see it on a menu?
It refers to the 'cold water' provided by default at restaurants. When asking for more water, it is natural to say 'お冷ください (Ohiya kudasai)'.
How should I say that I can't eat spicy food at all?
You can request this by saying '辛いものは苦手です (Karai mono wa nigate desu)' or '辛くしないでください (Karaku shinaide kudasai)'.
