How to Order Food in Japan: Ticket Machines and Key Phrases

Nearly every restaurant in Japan runs on one of three systems: a ticket machine, calling the staff, or a tablet. Work out which one you are in within 10 seconds of entering, and you can order with no Japanese.

Here's the flow for each, plus the script the staff will use on you. That last part matters: the hard part of ordering in Japan usually isn't saying your order — it's catching the questions that come back.

Ramen shops, gyudon chains, and many casual places put a vending machine at the entrance. You pay first, receive a small ticket, and hand it to the staff, often before you even sit down.

No wallet appears again for the rest of the meal. No tipping exists anywhere in Japan, either.

The machine's buttons are the menu, and the big buttons at the top are the shop's signature dishes. After that, look for the recurring words: 大盛りおおもり (oomori), a large portion, and 並なみ (nami), the regular size. At ramen shops you'll also meet 替え玉かえだま (kaedama) — an extra serving of noodles for your remaining soup, a beloved custom from Hakata.

If the machine defeats you, the escape phrase is pointing at a photo and saying これをください (korewokudasai) (“this one, please”). Staff see lost travelers at the machine every day and will happily push the buttons with you.

At izakaya and traditional restaurants, you summon staff by calling すみません (sumimasen) across the room. To many visitors this feels rude. It is the opposite: calling out is the correct, expected move, and waiting silently for eye contact means nobody comes.

Once they arrive: point at the menu and say これをください (korewokudasai), or これと (koreto), これをお願いしますこれをおねがいします (korewoonegaishimasu) for several items. Finish with 以上ですいじょうです (ijoudesu) — “that's all” — and you'll sound like you've done this before.

One izakaya surprise to expect: a small appetizer you didn't order, the お通しおとおし (otooshi), appears automatically and is added to the bill. It's a cover charge in food form, not a mistake.

Chain izakaya and family restaurants increasingly give you a tablet, and most have an English toggle hiding on the first screen. This is the easiest mode — browse, tap, and food arrives. Your only remaining job is the staff script below.

Staff questions are formulaic, which is great news. The same five lines cover nearly every restaurant in the country.

In most Japanese restaurants the bill is settled at the register by the door, not at the table. Take the slip from your table, walk up, and say お会計お願いしますおかいけいおねがいします (okaikeionegaishimasu).

Money often goes on a small tray rather than hand-to-hand. Put your cash or card on the tray. That is the custom, not coldness.

Then the best part. As you leave, staff will call out thanks, and you can reply with nothing at all, a nod, or a cheerful ごちそうさまでした (gochisousamadeshita).

The phrase means “thank you for the meal.” Say it and watch the whole counter light up.

Machine at the door → buy a ticket first. No machine → sit, then call すみません (sumimasen) when ready. Tablet on the table → tap away.

Whichever system you meet, これをください (korewokudasai) + 以上ですいじょうです (ijoudesu) + お会計お願いしますおかいけいおねがいします (okaikeionegaishimasu) will feed you anywhere in Japan.