How to Order in Restaurants in Japan
Getting ready to dine out in Japan?
The restaurant scene here in Japan offers incredible food experiences. You’re going to have a great time eating in this country!
Still, ordering can sometimes be confusing for international visitors.
So today we’re going to talk a little about how to order in restaurants in Japan. Some things you might know already, while a few things could surprise you. We want to help you understand the various types of restaurants and their ordering systems, along with important cultural expectations that will make your dining experiences more enjoyable.
Types of Restaurants and How to Order
Japan has a variety of restaurant styles and culinary offerings. When it comes to ordering food here, the system & expectations are not always going to be like it is back home — in fact, usually not.
Fast-Casual Restaurants with Ticket Machines
Many casual restaurants in Japan use ticket vending machines for ordering – particularly ramen, soba and udon shops, as well as casual cafes and cafeteria type places. These machines typically stand near the entrance, displaying photos or text descriptions of menu items. After purchasing your ticket, you'll hand it to the staff who will prepare your order exactly as shown on the menu.
Some visitors find these machines intimidating at first, but they actually make ordering quite straightforward.
Simply select what looks good, insert your money, collect your ticket & change and hand the ticket to the staff.
Many newer machines offer English options, though you might encounter older ones with Japanese only. Also, it’s becoming increasingly common to see digital versions such as tablets or flat-screen kiosks. These are more likely to have English options (as well as other languages).
But don’t be daunted by a ramen shop in Japan, for example, that has an old-school ticket machine with nothing but Japanese on the buttons. These local establishments have some of the best damn ramen you’ll ever eat. Use an app like Google Translate to get an English display of the Japanese language on the buttons / menu; or ask staff for assistance.
Local Neighborhood Restaurants
Local neighborhoods in Japan offer restaurants that are the lifeblood of Japan’s dining industry. Fun fact: Most Japanese people actually work for a small business. Visiting a local neighborhood restaurant is a great way to see those businesses and people in action.
These intimate establishments often feature a specialized menu of dishes the owner (who’s usually also the chef) has carefully developed over years or even generations.
You'll typically find a menu on the table or wall, sometimes with photos. In many cases, the chef focuses on a particular style or set of dishes they've mastered.
When ordering at these restaurants, it's best to select directly from the menu items as listed. The chefs take pride in their specific preparations and recipes, which they've crafted through years of experience. While some restaurants might accommodate minor adjustments for allergies or dietary restrictions, it's generally expected that guests will enjoy the dishes as they're always prepared.
In other words, this isn’t the type of restaurant that you can walk into and start making substitutions or ordering off the menu. That’s one of the biggest ways in which Japanese restaurants in Japan are different from Japanese restaurants abroad.
The beauty of dining in Japan is that you have such a wide variety of places, styles and cuisines from which to choose. If you see what a restaurant has on offer and it doesn’t match what you’re looking for, then it’s probably best to keep looking at other restaurants. Otherwise, simply select the dishes on the menu that most closely match what you’d like, and enjoy what they bring you.
I’ve never had a bad meal in Japan.
No, seriously, I haven’t.
Have some meals been better than others? Of course.
But don’t let FOMO foul up your meal plans. Let the restaurant do what they do best. If it’s not The Best Meal You Ever Ate, don’t fret, just go elsewhere next time. Or, who knows, maybe you’ll discover a new favorite food, style and/or local restaurant!
Ah, one more thing: When you’re ready to go, take the bill from the table and pay at the front.
Most of these local restaurants in Japan tend to take cash only. Even for the ones that do accept credit cards, I prefer to do them a solid and pay in cash, as it saves the restaurateur the processing charges.
Higher-End Restaurants in Japan
At upscale restaurants in Japan, you might encounter course meals (kaiseki) or set menus.
These often involve multiple small dishes served in a specific sequence. The chef carefully plans these meals to showcase seasonal ingredients and create a balanced dining experience.
When booking these restaurants, any dietary restrictions should be mentioned at the time of reservation rather than requesting changes during the meal.
Beyond that, trust the chef and let them do what they do best.
Bonus, if you go to an omakase restaurant, the chef gets to know what you like or prefer.
Understanding Japanese Restaurant Culture
The Specialization Philosophy
Japanese restaurants often specialize in specific types of cuisine or even single dishes.
A tempura restaurant focuses solely on perfecting tempura, while a sushi restaurant in Japan typically concentrates exclusively on sushi.
This dedication to specialization means each establishment has developed expertise in their particular style of cooking.
That’s not to say you’ll never encounter tempura on the menu at a sushi restaurant. It’s not uncommon, in fact, to see tempura available to order on the tablets at a kaitenzushi conveyor belt sushi restaurant. Will it be the best tempura you ever ate? Probably not (just like it’s not the best sushi in the world). But at least these types of big-menu restaurants have options for everyone, generally at a very reasonable price.
But, for the most part, restaurants in Japan are usually smaller in size as well as in menu offering. That’s different from many of the “Japanese restaurants” abroad, which often serve a variety of foods (and tend not to bat an eye at requests for substitutions or customization). Here in Japan, it’s more about specialization and trust/respect.
Respect for the Process
Chefs in Japan spend years mastering their craft, often focusing on a single type of cuisine. They take immense pride in their work and have carefully developed their recipes and techniques.
That level of dedication deserves respect from diners, who in Japan are expected to appreciate the food as it's prepared rather than requesting significant modifications.
Chain Restaurants vs Independent Establishments in Japan
Many chain restaurants in Japan often offer customization options, oftentimes through tablet ordering systems or digital kiosks. These establishments typically accommodate various preferences and modifications.
However, at independent or family-run restaurants, it's important to understand that the menu reflects the expertise and vision of the cooks / owners.
Take the time to read the menu, look at the photos (if available) and check out the reviews on Google, Tabelog, etc. If it looks like your cup of tea, head on in – and trust them to take care of you well.
Tips for Respectful Dining
As a visitor to Japan, you want to enjoy your dining and travel experience here. But part of that enjoyment should come with the knowledge that you’re being respectful to the local culture and the Japanese way of doing things.
Reading the Restaurant
Before entering a restaurant, take a moment to observe its style and atmosphere.
If you see ticket machines, picture menus or English signage, the establishment likely caters to a broader audience. These are the kinds of places you can sometimes make (small to moderate) customizations, as per their suggestions. An example would be ordering a bowl of ramen, and then adding an ajitama (egg), extra noodles (kaedama), and/or selecting noodle thickness (if offered).
Smaller, local restaurants are usually a set-piece, take-it-or-leave-it menu. Remember, you’ve got so many options to choose from when it comes to Japan’s wide variety of restaurants.
Ordering Effectively
Keep these points in mind when ordering food in Japan:
Select items directly from the menu as shown
Save customization requests for chain restaurants, especially ones with digital ordering systems
Inform the restaurant about allergies when making reservations
Choose restaurants whose specialties align with your preferences
Learn some basic Japanese phrases & words for restaurant visits
While the Japanese ethic and training process is generally aimed to provide the utmost in service, asking a service worker in Japan to do something different – something that’s outside the uniformly prescribed ways (i.e. “not in the manual”) usually causes more confusion and trouble than it’s worth. That’s called “meiwaku” — which translates loosely to “bother” or “trouble” — and we’ll talk about it in an upcoming article.
The staff in a restaurant or shop don’t want to say “no.” But they’re usually not empowered or equipped to handle special requests. Imposing a western system of values here (ergo, “I’m the customer, and the customer is always right”) is not the right way. Instead, take it as a cultural learning experience – do as the Japanese do.
Accept or Move On: Embracing Japan’s Dining Culture
If you have specific preferences about how you'd like your food prepared, the best approach is to find a restaurant that already serves dishes in your preferred style rather than asking for modifications.
This ensures you'll get the best possible version of what you're craving while respecting local customs.
Cultural Context: Ordering Food in Japan
So now you know how to order food in Japan.
Understanding why these customs exist helps create better dining experiences.
Japanese food culture values precision, expertise and respect for established techniques. Chefs and cooks spend years or decades perfecting their craft, and their menu items reflect careful consideration of ingredients, seasonality and preparation methods.
The menus are there for people to enjoy as is, not to be customized. This approach might seem inflexible to some international visitors, but it actually results in consistently high-quality dining experiences.
By embracing these customs, you'll discover the joy of experiencing Japanese food as it’s meant to be served. Japanese restaurants offer some of the finest cuisine in the world, and understanding how to order properly helps ensure you'll enjoy every meal to its fullest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What if I have food allergies? A: Most restaurants can accommodate serious allergies if notified in advance, especially during the reservation process.
Q: What about vegetarian or vegan modifications? A: Instead of requesting modifications, seek out restaurants that specifically cater to vegetarian or vegan diets.
Q: How do I know if a restaurant allows customization? A: Chain restaurants, especially those with digital ordering systems, typically offer more flexibility. Traditional or specialized restaurants generally prefer no modifications. Some independent restaurants, such as ramen shops or sushi restaurants, may offer customization (e.g. toppings for ramen, or wasabi levels on sushi, etc.).
Q: What if I don't see English on the menu? A: Many restaurants have picture menus or plastic food displays. If not, politely asking staff for recommendations often works well.
Q: Should I tip for good service? A: No, tipping isn't customary in Japan and might actually cause confusion.