Japanese Phrases for Restaurants

Ordering a meal in Japan involves a handful of short, high-frequency phrases, and knowing when to use each one matters as much as the words themselves. The Japan National Tourism Organization's official guides describe the etiquette behind each step of a restaurant visit, which is the context that makes these phrases make sense instead of feeling arbitrary.

Getting the staff's attention

Japanese restaurants generally don't use the subtle eye-contact-and-wait approach common elsewhere. JNTO's customs guide notes that Japanese customer service is designed to spare servers the frequent check-ins expected in some other countries, which means staff won't necessarily hover near your table. Getting their attention directly is normal and expected.

• すみません (Sumimasen) - "Excuse me." This is the all-purpose way to get a server's attention, whether you're ready to order, need something, or want the bill.
• 予約していません (Yoyaku shiteimasen) - "I don't have a reservation." JNTO's guidance notes that smaller restaurants often prepare ingredients based on reservations, so being upfront if you don't have one helps staff seat or advise you accordingly.

Ordering

• 注文をお願いします (Chuumon o onegai shimasu) - "I'd like to order, please."
• これをお願いします (Kore o onegai shimasu) - "This one, please," said while pointing at a menu item or picture. Most restaurants, per JNTO, have either illustrated menus, plastic or wax food replicas in the window, or English-friendly digital ordering, so pointing is a completely normal way to order even with no shared language.
• おすすめは何ですか (Osusume wa nan desu ka) - "What do you recommend?"

Handling special requests and allergies

JNTO's food etiquette guide notes that Japanese cuisine (washoku) emphasizes respecting the ingredients and the way a dish is composed, which is useful context for why substitutions are sometimes limited compared to what you might expect elsewhere.

• アレルギーがあります (Arerugii ga arimasu) - "I have an allergy."
• 〇〇が入っていますか (〇〇 ga haitteimasu ka) - "Does this contain ___?" Fill in the ingredient, for example 卵 (tamago, egg) or えび (ebi, shrimp).
• 〇〇を抜いてもらえますか (〇〇 o nuite moraemasu ka) - "Could you leave out ___?"

At the table

JNTO's etiquette guide lists several specific dos and don'ts worth knowing even if you don't need to say anything about them out loud: it's fine to slurp noodles, finish your food without leaving anything behind, cut food into appropriately sized pieces before putting it in your mouth, and avoid resting your elbows on the table. For shared dishes, JNTO notes you should take a small portion onto your own plate rather than eating directly from the communal dish.

• いただきます (Itadakimasu) - said just before eating, roughly "I gratefully receive this."
• おいしいです (Oishii desu) - "It's delicious," a simple, safe compliment during or after the meal.
• お水をお願いします (Omizu o onegai shimasu) - "Water, please."

Pouring drinks for others

JNTO's etiquette guide covers a specific social rule around drinks: hold the bottle with the label facing up, pour for others rather than yourself, and if someone is filling your glass, hold it and tilt it slightly rather than setting it down. Unlike food, it's fine to leave a drink unfinished; an empty glass signals you'd like a refill, so leave it full if you don't want more.

• 一杯どうですか (Ippai dou desu ka) - "Would you like a drink?" (literally, "how about a glass")
• 大丈夫です、ありがとうございます (Daijoubu desu, arigatou gozaimasu) - "I'm fine, thank you," useful for declining a refill politely.

Paying and leaving

• お会計をお願いします (Okaikei o onegai shimasu) - "Check, please."
• ごちそうさまでした (Gochisousama deshita) - said when finishing a meal or leaving, meaning roughly "thank you for this meal." It functions both as a sign you're done eating and as a closing thank-you to the staff.
• カードは使えますか (Kaado wa tsukaemasu ka) - "Can I use a card?" Cash remains common, especially at smaller or older establishments, so this is worth asking before you order if you're not carrying cash.

A note on tipping

JNTO's guidance is direct on this point: tipping is not customary in Japan and is often met with confusion rather than gratitude if offered. The polite way to show appreciation at the end of a meal is simply saying gochisousama deshita, not leaving extra money on the table.

Key takeaways

• Sumimasen is the standard way to get a server's attention in Japan; staff generally won't hover, and direct signaling is expected, not rude.
• Itadakimasu before eating and gochisousama deshita when finishing or leaving bracket a Japanese meal and are used even in casual restaurants.
• When pouring drinks, fill others' glasses rather than your own, and leave your glass full if you don't want a refill, since an empty glass signals "more, please."
• Tipping is not customary in Japan; a sincere gochisousama deshita is the expected way to show appreciation instead.