The phrase to use
Catch a staff member’s attention, then ask:
To call staff politely, start with すみません (sumimasen, “excuse me”). In many restaurants it is normal to say it out loud from your table, or to press the call button if there is one.
How to pronounce it
Say it slowly and evenly. Japanese has no strong stress, so every syllable gets about the same weight:
- Ei-go — “AY-go” (English)
- no — like “no”
- me-nyū — “MEH-nyoo” (menu)
- wa — “wah”
- a-ri-ma-su ka — “ah-ree-MAS-kah”; the final u in masu is almost silent
Together: “AY-go no MEH-nyoo wah ah-ree-MAS-kah?” with a light rising tone at the end, like a question.
Answers you may hear
No English menu? Use these phrases
Many small, family-run places only have a Japanese menu. That is rarely a problem — these phrases cover most situations:
You can also point at the plastic food models in the window, or at a dish another table is eating, and say kore o kudasai. When you leave, ごちそうさまでした (gochisōsama deshita, “thank you for the meal”) is always appreciated.
How ordering often works in Japan
Ticket machines (食券機, shokkenki)
Common in ramen, soba and curry shops. You choose and pay at the machine near the entrance, then hand the ticket to staff. Many machines have photos, and some have an English button.
Tablet and QR-code ordering
Chains, izakaya and conveyor-belt sushi often use tablets or a QR code on the table. These systems frequently offer an English option — look for a language button or a flag icon.
Izakaya table charge
In many izakaya you receive a small starter you did not order (otōshi). It is a normal table charge, not a mistake.
Tipping
Tipping is not part of restaurant culture in Japan. Paying the bill is enough, and good service is simply expected.
Where English menus are more likely
- Busy tourist areas such as central Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.
- Restaurant chains and places inside large stations and department stores.
- Places with an English name on the sign or an English website.
- Restaurants that use tablet or QR-code ordering.
None of these is a guarantee, so it is still worth having the phrase ready.
The phrase, ready on your screen.
In 687 Japan, the English menu helper in Food search keeps 英語のメニューはありますか？ one tap away. Show it full screen to staff or let the app read it aloud in Japanese. Restaurants with an English name or website are shown first, so you are more likely to find an English menu — and Translate now works as a two-way conversation for everything else.