Learn Japanese Through Real Conversations: Ordering at a Ramen Shop Like a Local

When visiting a ramen shop in Japan, knowing how to order naturally can enhance your dining experience. Let's practice through the full conversation below and then check the explanations afterward!

🗣 Full Conversation: Ordering at a Ramen Shop

🧑‍💼 Staff:

いらっしゃいませ！何名様ですか？(Irasshaimase! Nan-mei-sama desu ka?)

→ Welcome! How many people in your party?

👤 Customer:

一人です。(Hitori desu.)

→ Just one.

🧑‍💼 Staff:

こちらへどうぞ。メニューをご覧ください。(Kochira e dōzo. Menyū o goran kudasai.)

→ This way, please. Here is the menu.

👤 Customer:

おすすめは何ですか？(Osusume wa nan desu ka?)

→ What do you recommend?

🧑‍💼 Staff:

一番人気は特製醤油ラーメンです。(Ichiban ninki wa tokusei shōyu rāmen desu.)

→ Our most popular dish is the special shoyu (soy sauce) ramen.

👤 Customer:

じゃあ、それを一つお願いします。あと、餃子もください。

(Jā, sore o hitotsu onegai shimasu. Ato, gyōza mo kudasai.)

→ Then, I’ll have one of those. Also, I’d like some gyoza.

🧑‍💼 Staff:

かしこまりました。お飲み物はいかがですか？

(Kashikomarimashita. Onomimono wa ikaga desu ka?)

→ Got it. Would you like a drink?

👤 Customer:

生ビールをください。(Nama bīru o kudasai.)

→ I'll have a draft beer.

🧑‍💼 Staff:

かしこまりました。他にご注文はございますか？

(Kashikomarimashita. Hoka ni go-chūmon wa gozaimasu ka?)

→ Understood. Would you like anything else?

👤 Customer:

以上でお願いします。(Ijō de onegai shimasu.)

→ That’s all for now.

🧑‍💼 Staff:

承知しました。少々お待ちください。(Shōchi shimashita. Shōshō omachi kudasai.)

→ Understood. Please wait a moment.

(🥢 A little while later, the staff brings the food.)

🧑‍💼 Staff:

お待たせしました。特製醤油ラーメンと餃子、生ビールです。

(Omatase shimashita. Tokusei shōyu rāmen to gyōza, nama bīru desu.)

→ Thank you for waiting. Here’s your special shoyu ramen, gyoza, and draft beer.

👤 Customer:

ありがとうございます！(Arigatou gozaimasu!)

→ Thank you very much!

📌 Explanation of Key Phrases & Vocabulary

1️⃣ Entering the Restaurant & Getting Seated

• いらっしゃいませ！(Irasshaimase!) → Welcome! (Common greeting when entering a restaurant or shop in Japan.)

• 何名様ですか？(Nan-mei-sama desu ka?) → How many people are in your party?

📌 How to Respond:

• 一人です。(Hitori desu.) → Just one.

• 二人です。(Futari desu.) → Two people.

• 三人です。(San-nin desu.) → Three people.

2️⃣ Asking for Recommendations

• おすすめは何ですか？(Osusume wa nan desu ka?) → What do you recommend?

• 一番人気は特製醤油ラーメンです。(Ichiban ninki wa tokusei shōyu rāmen desu.) → Our most popular dish is the special shoyu ramen.

📌 Common Types of Ramen:

• 醤油ラーメン (Shōyu rāmen) → Soy sauce-based ramen

• 味噌ラーメン (Miso rāmen) → Miso-based ramen

• 豚骨ラーメン (Tonkotsu rāmen) → Pork bone broth ramen

3️⃣ Placing an Order

• それを一つお願いします。(Sore o hitotsu onegai shimasu.) → I’ll have one of those.

• 餃子もください。(Gyōza mo kudasai.) → I’d also like some gyoza.

4️⃣ Ordering Drinks 🍺

• お飲み物はいかがですか？(Onomimono wa ikaga desu ka?) → Would you like a drink?

• 生ビールをください。(Nama bīru o kudasai.) → I’ll have a draft beer.

📌 Other Drink Options:

• 水をください。(Mizu o kudasai.) → Please give me water.

• お茶をお願いします。(Ocha o onegai shimasu.) → Please give me tea.

5️⃣ Confirming No Additional Orders

• 他にご注文はございますか？(Hoka ni go-chūmon wa gozaimasu ka?) → Would you like anything else?

• 以上でお願いします。(Ijō de onegai shimasu.) → That’s all for now.

• それで大丈夫です。(Sore de daijōbu desu.) → That’s enough.

• それだけで結構です。(Sore dake de kekkō desu.) → That will be all.

🎯 Final Thoughts

Try reading through the conversation naturally to improve your reflexes! Next time you visit Japan, you can confidently step into a ramen shop and order like a local. If you’d like to learn more real-life Japanese conversations, let us know in the comments!

醤油ラーメン (Shōyu rāmen) → Soy sauce-based ramen

---

📌 This article was written by Bean JP.