Eating out alone in Japan

1. 1

   おすすめは何ですか

   osusume wa nan desu ka

   Asking for a recommendation. おすすめは何ですか means 'What do you recommend?' Useful when you can't read the menu or want to try the house specialty.

   Use when can't decide what to order, want to try the popular dish, unfamiliar menu

   おすすめは何ですか。

   osusume wa nan desu ka.

   What do you recommend?

2. 2

   同じものお願いします

   onaji mono onegaishimasu

   Saying 'same thing, please' when your friend has already ordered. 同じものお願いします is quick, easy, and very common.

   Use when your friend ordered something good, you want the same dish, group ordering

   同じものお願いします。

   onaji mono onegaishimasu.

   The same thing, please.

3. 3

   肉なしでお願いします

   niku nashi de onegaishimasu

   Saying 'without meat.' 肉なしでお願いします is useful for dietary restrictions. Replace 肉 with whatever you need to avoid.

   Use when vegetarian, dietary restriction, removing an ingredient

   肉なしでお願いします。

   niku nashi de onegaishimasu.

   Without meat, please.

4. 4

   ごちそうさまでした

   gochisōsama deshita

   ごちそうさまでした is said after finishing a meal. It means 'thank you for the meal' and is expected etiquette when leaving a restaurant.

   Use when finishing a meal, leaving a restaurant, thanking the cook or staff

   ごちそうさまでした。

   gochisōsama deshita.

   Thank you for the meal.

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