Food & Drinks

1. これをください

   ko-re o ku-da-sa-i

   I'll have this one, please

   Usage

   Basic phrase for ordering by pointing at a menu or item

   Grammar Note

   "Kudasai" is the polite imperative of "kureru" (to give). Combine with pointing to overcome language barriers

2. おすすめは何ですか

   o-su-su-me wa nan de-su ka

   What do you recommend?

   Usage

   Asking a server or shop owner for their recommendation

   Grammar Note

   "O-" is an honorific prefix on "susume". Japanese questions are formed by adding "ka" to the end

3. アレルギーがあります

   a-re-ru-gī ga a-ri-ma-su

   I have an allergy

   Usage

   Used to inform restaurant staff about a food allergy before ordering

   Grammar Note

   Add "〜ni" before to specify the allergen. E.g. "ebi ni arerugī ga arimasu" (I'm allergic to shrimp)

4. お会計をお願いします

   o-kai-kei o o-ne-ga-i-shi-ma-su

   Check, please

   Usage

   Requesting the bill at a restaurant or izakaya

   Grammar Note

   Honorific "o-" prefixed to "kaikei". "Denpyō o kudasai" is equivalent. Many places pay at the register

5. おいしいです

   o-i-shī de-su

   It's delicious

   Usage

   Used while eating to compliment the food

   Grammar Note

   Adjective "oishii" + polite "desu". Saying "oishii!" alone mid-meal is also common and well-received

6. ラーメン一つお願いします

   rā-men hi-to-tsu o-ne-ga-i-shi-ma-su

   One ramen, please

   Usage

   Standard way to order one item at a noodle shop or diner

   Grammar Note

   Basic order structure: item + quantity + "onegaishimasu". "Hitotsu" (one) works as a universal counter

7. 水をいただけますか

   mi-zu o i-ta-da-ke-ma-su ka

   Could I have some water, please?

   Usage

   Politely requesting water at a restaurant

   Grammar Note

   "Itadaku" is the humble form of "morau" (to receive). "Itadakemasu ka" asks "may I have ~?" — distinct from the request construction "〜te itadakemasu ka" (could you please do ~?)

8. 辛さを控えめにしてください

   ka-ra-sa o hi-ka-e-me ni shi-te ku-da-sa-i

   Please make it less spicy

   Usage

   Requesting reduced spice level when ordering food

   Grammar Note

   "〜o 〜ni shite kudasai" means "please make 〜 into 〜 state". Reverse: "karaku shite kudasai" (spicier)

9. 持ち帰りにしてください

   mo-chi-ka-e-ri ni shi-te ku-da-sa-i

   To go, please

   Usage

   Requesting takeout at a restaurant or fast food shop

   Grammar Note

   "Teikuauto de onegaishimasu" is equivalent. "Ten'nai de onegaishimasu" means dine-in

10. ベジタリアン対応のメニューはありますか

    be-ji-ta-ri-an tai-ō no me-nyū wa a-ri-ma-su ka

    Do you have any vegetarian options?

    Usage

    Used by vegetarian or vegan travellers to ask about plant-based menu options

    Grammar Note

    "〜wa arimasu ka" politely asks if something exists. Swap "bejitarian" with "vīgan" for full vegan inquiry

11. 辛い

    ka-ra-i

    Spicy (hot)

    Usage

    Means spicy ("karai"); the same kanji can also read "tsurai" (painful), so use it where food is the topic

12. 甘い

    a-ma-i

    Sweet

    Usage

    Sweet in taste; point at it to ask for more or less sweetness

13. 生もの

    na-ma-mo-no

    Raw (uncooked) food

    Usage

    Uncooked food such as sashimi; the single kanji 生 can also read "sei", so "namamono" is the unambiguous card

14. ご飯

    go-han

    Cooked rice

    Usage

    Cooked rice; uncooked grain is a different word, "kome"

15. パン

    pan

    Bread

    Usage

    Bread of any kind as a staple food

16. 麺

    men

    Noodles

    Usage

    The umbrella word for udon, soba, ramen, and other noodles

17. スープ

    sū-pu

    Soup

    Usage

    Western-style soup; Japanese-style broths such as miso soup are called "shiru"

18. 豆腐

    tō-fu

    Tofu

    Usage

    Soybean tofu; also useful when looking for a vegetarian option

19. ヨーグルト

    yō-gu-ru-to

    Yogurt

    Usage

    Point at it when looking for yogurt in a supermarket or convenience store

20. チーズ

    chī-zu

    Cheese

    Usage

    For ordering cheese or checking whether a dish has it

21. はちみつ

    ha-chi-mi-tsu

    Honey

    Usage

    Honey as a sweetener; also relevant because it must not be given to infants

22. バター

    ba-tā

    Butter

    Usage

    Ask for butter, or check whether a dish contains it

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