Ordering food in Japanese can be tricky at times, particularly if the menus are all in Japanese characters (kanji). Although pictures will certainly help, there are times when one will be forced to order purely verbally. However, with just a few phrases, one will learn how to order food in Japanese.

Essentially, that is what one is saying when they order food. By adding "...o onegaishimasu" (oh oh ney gigh she mah soo) to any food item, one is asking for the item. Technically speaking, "onegaishimasu" simply means "please", but it sounds much more polite than the English translation.

One may also use "...o kudasai" (oh coo dah sigh) when ordering food, which means the same thing. To string together multiple items, simply add "to" (toe) between them. For example: "gyudon to unagi to biru o onegaishimasu".

Frequently, one may encounter menus that are all in kanji. Normally, the proprietors are sensible enough to include pictures to assist foreign patrons. In these cases, it is entirely acceptable to point at a pictures and add "onegaishimasu", although it would be more correct to say "kore o onegaishimasu" (koh ray oh oh ney gigh she mah soo), which politely means "this please".

As before, you may string multiple items together by using "to". For example: "kore to kore to kore o onegaishimasu" while pointing at different menu items. It may sound a little awkward, but the message is clear.

If one stumbles upon a truly local establishment that rarely caters to foreigner (highly recommended), then one may well encounter a lack of pictures or romanji (the Romanization of the Japanese words). So while staring blankly at a page of kanji and prices, one wonders how to order at all.

In these cases, it's good to have a list of dishes one desires (such as a "bifuteki", or beef steak) and simply ask if they have it. To ask, simply add "...wa arimasu ka?" (wah ah ree mah soo kah) to the dish. If they have it, then proceed with step 1. If not, ask for something else.

Check out these other helpful How Tos to learn more about Japanese.

1. How to Say Hello in Japanese
2. How to Say Goodbye in Japanese
3. How to Flirt in Japanese
4. How to Ask For Directions in Japanese
5. How to Order Food in Japanese
6. How to Pronounce Japanese Words
7. How to Ask Questions in Japanese
8. How to Count in Japanese
9. How to Greet Somebdoy in Japanese
10. How to Say No in Japanese
11. How to Say Excuse Me in Japanese
12. How to Say Please in Japanese
13. How to Say Thank You in Japanese
14. How to Ask For Help in Japanese
15. How to Say I Want to in Japanese
16. How to Say This and That in Japanese
17. How to Say I Dont Understand in Japanese
18. How to Say Common Hotel Phrases in Japanese
19. How to Ride the Train in Japanese
20. How to Buy Something in Japanese
21. How to Say Cheers in Japanese
22. How to Read Basic Japanese
23. How to Say Good Morning in Japanese
24. How to Say Good Afternoon in Japanese
25. How to Say Good Evening in Japanese