Karinoya Learning Room

Daily Life Lessons · Restaurants

How to Order at a Restaurant

Goal of this lesson

Be able to order and pay at a restaurant on your own.

Explanation

At a restaurant, tell the staff at the entrance how many people are in your group, and sit at the table you are shown. When you have decided what to order, call the staff by saying "sumimasen" (すみません) or press the button on the table. After eating, pay at the register (some restaurants have you pay at the table). There is no tipping custom in Japan.

Read in Easy Japanese (yasashii nihongo)

レストランでの 注文です。

1. 入口で 人数を 言います。「2人です」 2. 席に 座ります。 3. メニューを 見て、店員を 呼びます。「すみません」 4. 注文します。「これを お願いします」 5. 食べ終わったら、レジで 払います。チップは いりません。

Check quiz

Q1

What do you tell the staff at the entrance?

  1. Your name
  2. The number of people
  3. Your budget
  4. Your nationality
AnswerB. The number of people

Tell them the number of people.

Q2

How do you call the staff?

  1. Clap your hands
  2. Say "sumimasen" / press the button
  3. Shout their name
  4. Stand up and look for them
AnswerB. Say "sumimasen" / press the button

Say "sumimasen" or press the button on the table.

Q3

What about tips?

  1. 10%
  2. Not needed
  3. Cash only
  4. By card
AnswerB. Not needed

Tips are not needed.

Q4

Where do you pay?

  1. Always at your table
  2. At the register (depends on the restaurant)
  3. At the entrance
  4. Automatically
AnswerB. At the register (depends on the restaurant)

Usually at the register, but it depends on the restaurant.

Q5

What is the oshibori (wet towel) for?

  1. Wiping your face
  2. Wiping your hands
  3. Taking home
  4. Giving back
AnswerB. Wiping your hands

It is for wiping your hands.

Frequently asked questions

Q. What is otoshi (お通し)?

A. A small dish served first at an izakaya (Japanese-style pub). It often costs money.

Q. Is water free?

A. It is free at many restaurants.

Q. What if there are foods I cannot eat for religious reasons?

A. Tell the staff before you order and check with them. Some restaurants may not be able to accommodate you.

Practice: answer the questions on this page

This practice tool asks questions in random order (it works when JavaScript is enabled). You can still read all the questions and explanations above without it.

Systems and procedures may differ depending on the city, ward, town or village where you live and on the time of year. Please check the latest information from your local government or the relevant organizations.
Content checked on: 2026-09-28

This page is a translation of the Japanese original. If the translation and the original differ, the Japanese version takes precedence. View the Japanese original