How to Order In a Japanese Restaurant

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: See if the restaurant has an online menu.

   If it does, print it off and show it to people you know so they can perhaps explain it to you.
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   Step 2: Ask about prices.

   To do this, you say 'Kore wa ikura desu ka?' (pronounced korei wa ikura des ka?), which means "How much does this cost?"
   
   You put the numbers together like this: 19 is 10 + 9 so it is juu-kyuu (十九). 90 is 9 sets of 10 so it is kyuu-juu (九十).
   
   So 198 is hyaku-kyuu-juu-hachi (百九十八); a mouthful, but break it down and it makes a lot of sense the way the Japanese do it. 1198 is sen-hyaku-kyuu-juu-hachi (千百九十八). , You can hail the staff by calling, "Onegaishimasu" (oh neh guy shee mas- meaning 'please') or "Sumimasen" (soo me masen- 'excuse me').
   
   Many nicer restaurants also have a call button you can push to summon your waiter. , If it's not working, you can also point and the staff should understand.
   
   If you have Japanese friends with you, either ask them to read it to you in advance or have them order. , Hitotsu (one), futatsu (two), mittsu (three), yottsu (four), itsutsu (five), muttsu (six), nanatsu (seven), yatsu (eight), kokonotsu (nine), and Toh (ten).
   
   If you want more than ten of something, specify using normal numbers- juichi, juni, jusan, etc. , If you are in a public fast food restaurant, use Kudasai.
   
   So it would sound like this. "Yakitori setto o hitotsu, kudasai." (One grilled chicken set, please.) ,'
   
   answer 'Hai'.
   
   You were asked 'Is everything ok?' and you replied 'Yes'. , Family members pass the bones of the dead relative between chopsticks.
   
   If you really have to pass some food, do it discreetly and with the non-eating end of your chopsticks (if they are decorated, this is the decorated end). ,, This is only done at funerals. ,, 'Oishikatta desu' means "It was tasty."
   
   In this context it serves as a thank you for the meal.
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   Step 3: Learn numbers (so you will understand what they say or what is written on the menu): ichi (一)=1; ni (二)=2; san (三)=3; shi/yon (四)=4; go (五)=5; roku (六)=6; shichi/nana (七)=7; hachi (八)=8; kyuu (九)=9; juu (十)=10; hyaku (百)=100; and sen (千)=1000.

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   Step 4: Order your food.

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   Step 5: Do your best to read and pronounce the menu items you want.

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   Step 6: When specifying how much of something you want

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   Step 7: remember these words.

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   Step 8: After naming your menu item and how many of it you want

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   Step 9: conclude your order with Onegaishimasu to be polite.

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    Step 10: When you have ordered and received your food

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    Step 11: if you are asked 'Daijoubu desu ka?

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    Step 12: Do not pass food between your chopsticks; this looks like you are in a funeral.

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    Step 13: If you are eating noodles

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    Step 14: slurp; it's normal.

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    Step 15: Don't stick your chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice.

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    Step 16: Say 'itadakimasu' before eating; this means "I receive (this meal)".

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    Step 17: To express your pleasure at the end of the meal

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    Step 18: say 'Gochisousama deshita' meaning "It was a feast."

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    Step 19: It's a bit old fashioned

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    Step 20: but very polite if after paying for your meal you tell the clerk

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    Step 21: "Gochisousama deshita".

Detailed Guide

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