Japanese Food Words
Japanese cuisine is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, and food vocabulary is one of the most rewarding areas to study. From sushi counters to ramen shops, izakayas to convenience stores, knowing food words in Japanese transforms your experience of the country. This guide covers sushi types, ramen, rice dishes, and essential restaurant phrases in kanji with readings.
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Sushi — 寿司 (Sushi)
Sushi restaurants in Japan range from affordable conveyor belt spots (回転寿司, kaiten-zushi) to high-end omakase counters. Knowing the names of common toppings (ネタ, neta) helps you order with confidence.
At a sushi counter in Japan, the chef may use special sushi terminology. Agari (あがり) means green tea, gari (ガリ) is pickled ginger, murasaki (むらさき) is soy sauce, and shari (シャリ) is the vinegared rice. These are insider terms you will hear at traditional sushi bars.
Ramen — ラーメン (Rāmen)
Ramen is one of Japan's most beloved comfort foods, with regional styles that inspire passionate debate. Understanding the base soup types helps you choose your bowl.
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Rice Dishes — ご飯もの (Gohanmono)
Rice (ご飯, gohan) is so central to Japanese cuisine that the word also means "meal." These rice-based dishes are staples of everyday eating in Japan.
In Japan, it is perfectly acceptable and even expected to slurp your noodles loudly. Slurping is said to enhance the flavor and cool the noodles. Do not be shy about it — quiet noodle eating can actually seem odd in a Japanese ramen shop.
Restaurant Ordering Phrases
These essential phrases will help you navigate any Japanese restaurant with confidence:
- いただきます (itadakimasu) — Said before eating (I humbly receive this food)
- ごちそうさまでした (gochisōsama deshita) — Said after eating (thank you for the meal)
- すみません (sumimasen) — Excuse me (to call the waiter)
- メニューをお願いします (menyū wo onegaishimasu) — The menu, please
- お会計お願いします (okaikei onegaishimasu) — The check, please
- おすすめは何ですか (osusume wa nan desu ka) — What do you recommend?
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you order food in a Japanese restaurant?
Start by saying すみません (sumimasen) to get the waiter's attention. Then say the dish name followed by をお願いします (wo onegaishimasu), meaning "please." For example: ラーメンをお願いします (rāmen wo onegaishimasu) means "Ramen, please." To say "one of this," point and say これを一つお願いします (kore wo hitotsu onegaishimasu).
What is the difference between sushi and sashimi?
寿司 (sushi) refers to vinegared rice topped or rolled with various ingredients, including raw fish. 刺身 (sashimi) is thinly sliced raw fish served without rice. In Japan, sushi is technically about the rice preparation, not the raw fish. That is why you can have tamago sushi (egg sushi) and kappa maki (cucumber roll).
What should I say before and after eating in Japan?
Before eating, say いただきます (itadakimasu), which roughly means "I humbly receive." After eating, say ごちそうさまでした (gochisōsama deshita), meaning "It was a feast / thank you for the meal." These phrases are considered essential manners in Japan.
Are there vegetarian-friendly Japanese food words I should know?
Yes. Key words include 野菜 (yasai, vegetables), 豆腐 (tōfu, tofu), 枝豆 (edamame, green soybeans), and 精進料理 (shōjin ryōri, Buddhist vegetarian cuisine). Telling a restaurant 肉と魚は食べられません (niku to sakana wa taberaremasen) means "I cannot eat meat or fish."