10 Essential Japanese Phrases for Ordering Ramen in Japan! 🍜

If you're visiting Japan, there's one food you absolutely can't miss: RAMEN!

From rich tonkotsu (pork bone broth) to classic shoyu (soy sauce), miso, and shio (salt) ramen, Japan offers an incredible variety of flavors. Every region has its own specialties, and every ramen shop has its own personality.

But here's the thing.

For first-time visitors, stepping into a Japanese ramen shop can be surprisingly intimidating!

• "Do I sit down first or order first?"

• "What's that mysterious vending machine by the entrance?"

• "The staff just asked me something in Japanese. What did they say?!"

Sound familiar?

Don't worry! You don't need to speak fluent Japanese to enjoy an authentic ramen experience.

In fact, just a handful of simple Japanese phrases can make your ramen adventure so much easier and more enjoyable.

In this guide, we'll walk you through 10 essential Japanese phrases you'll actually use at a ramen shop, from the moment you walk in until your final slurp!

Let's dig in! 🍜

1. How Many People?

Japanese: 何名様ですか？ (Nanmei-sama desu ka?)

English: How many people are in your party?

When you enter a ramen shop, this is often the first question you'll hear from the staff.

"何名様" is a polite way of asking "how many people?"

How to respond:

• 1人です。 (Hitori desu.) = Just one person.

• 2人です。 (Futari desu.) = Two people.

• 3人です。 (San-nin desu.) = Three people.

  
  

That's it!

If you're visiting with a friend, simply say "2人です" and the staff will know exactly what you mean.

Japanguin Tip! 🐧

Some tiny ramen shops only have counter seats, so you might not even be asked this question. The staff may simply point you toward an available seat!

2. Please Buy a Meal Ticket.

Japanese: 食券を買ってください。(Shokken o katte kudasai.)

English: Please buy a meal ticket.

One of the biggest surprises for foreign visitors is Japan's ramen ticket machines!

Many ramen restaurants use a system called shokken (食券), which means "meal ticket."

Instead of ordering directly from the staff, you purchase a ticket from a machine, often located near the entrance.

Here's how it usually works:

1. Choose your ramen from the machine.

2. Pay and collect your ticket.

3. Hand the ticket to the staff.

   
   

Easy, right?

But what if the restaurant doesn't have a ticket machine?

Here's a lifesaver:

Japanese: これをください。(Kore o kudasai.)

English: This one, please.

Just point at the ramen you want on the menu and say this phrase.

You don't even need to know the name of the dish!

3. What Do You Recommend?

Japanese: おすすめは何ですか？(Osusume wa nan desu ka?)

English: What do you recommend?

Too many delicious options?

Can't decide between tonkotsu, miso, or shoyu ramen?

Ask the staff!

"おすすめは何ですか？" (Osusume wa nan desuka?)

They might point you toward the restaurant's signature dish or most popular bowl.

Japanguin Tip! 🐧

If you see something called "特製ラーメン" (Tokusei rāmen / Special Ramen), it often means a version with extra or premium toppings.

But don't automatically assume it's the best choice! Sometimes it's simply the regular ramen with more toppings.

4. How Firm Would You Like Your Noodles?

Japanese: 麺の硬さはどうしますか？(Men no katasa wa dō shimasu ka?)

English: How firm would you like your noodles?

Now we're getting into serious ramen territory!

At some ramen shops, especially Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen restaurants, you can choose how firm you want your noodles.

Common options include:

• やわらかめ (Yawarakame) = Soft

• 普通 (Futsū) = Regular

• 硬め (Katame) = Firm

• バリカタ (Barikata) = Very firm

  
  

If you prefer firm noodles, say:

Japanese: 硬めでお願いします。(Katame de onegai shimasu.)

English: Firm, please.

Not sure what to choose?

Japanese: 普通でお願いします。(Futsū de onegai shimasu.)

English: Regular, please.

That's always a safe starting point!

Remember, not every ramen shop lets you customize noodle firmness.

5. How Spicy Would You Like It?

Japanese: 辛さはどうしますか？(Karasa wa dō shimasu ka?)

English: How spicy would you like it?

Some ramen shops let you customize the spice level of your bowl.

You might hear this question when ordering spicy miso ramen, tantanmen, or other spicy specialties.

Common choices include:

• 辛さ控えめ (Karasa hikaeme) = Mild

• 普通 (Futsū) = Regular

• 辛め (Karame) = Spicy

  
  

If you can't handle spicy food, say:

Japanese: 辛さ控えめでお願いします。(Karasa hikaeme de onegai shimasu.)

English: Mild, please.

Japanguin Tip! 🐧

Not all Japanese ramen is spicy!

Traditional shoyu, shio, and many tonkotsu ramen varieties are generally not spicy unless extra chili or spicy seasonings are added.

6. Extra Noodles, Please!

Japanese: 替え玉お願いします。(Kaedama onegai shimasu.)

English: Extra noodles, please!

Still hungry after finishing your noodles?

Welcome to one of Japan's greatest ramen inventions: KAEDAMA!

Kaedama (替え玉) is a system where you order an extra serving of noodles to add to your remaining soup.

It's especially common at Hakata and Nagahama-style tonkotsu ramen shops.

And ordering it couldn't be easier.

Just say:

替え玉お願いします！(Kaedama onegai shimasu.)

The staff will bring you another serving of noodles, usually for a small additional charge.

Japanguin Tip! 🐧

Planning to order kaedama?

Don't drink all your soup before finishing your first serving of noodles!

You'll need that delicious broth for round two.

Also, remember that not every ramen shop offers kaedama.

7. Can I Add a Seasoned Egg?

Japanese: 味玉を追加できますか？(Ajitama o tsuika dekimasu ka?)

English: Can I add a seasoned egg?

One of the best things about Japanese ramen is the toppings!

And there are so many to choose from.

Here are some popular options:

• 味玉 (Ajitama) = Seasoned egg

• チャーシュー (Chāshū) = Braised pork slices

• のり (Nori) = Seaweed

• メンマ (Menma) = Seasoned bamboo shoots

• ネギ (Negi) = Green onions

  
  

Want to add something?

Use this simple pattern:

Japanese: ___を追加できますか？( ___ o tsuika dekimasu ka?)

English: Can I add ___?

For example:

Japanese: チャーシューを追加できますか？(Chāshū o tsuika dekimasu ka?)

English: Can I add extra pork?

Just remember that some restaurants require you to purchase additional topping tickets from the vending machine instead.

8. Water, Please.

Japanese: お水をください。(Omizu o kudasai.)

English: Water, please.

Here's something many visitors love about Japan.

Water is generally provided for free at Japanese restaurants!

However, ramen shops often have a self-service system.

You might find a water pitcher on the counter or a water dispenser somewhere in the restaurant.

If you can't find any, simply ask:

お水をください。(Omizu o kudasai.)

Need another glass?

Japanese: お水のおかわりをください。(Omizu no okawari o kudasai.)

English: More water, please.

Simple and useful!

9. The Bill, Please.

Japanese: お会計お願いします。(Okaikei onegai shimasu.)

English: The bill, please.

Finished your ramen?

Time to pay!

If the restaurant uses a pay-after-eating system, you can say:

お会計お願いします。(Okaikei onegai shimasu.)

However, if you've already purchased a meal ticket from the vending machine, you've usually paid in advance.

No need to pay again!

Also, many ramen shops expect customers to pay at the register rather than at their seats.

Japanguin Tip! 🐧

Although cashless payments are becoming more common in Japan, some ramen shops still accept cash only.

It's always smart to carry a little cash, especially when visiting smaller, independent restaurants.

10. Thank You for the Meal!

Japanese: ごちそうさまでした！(Gochisōsama deshita!)

English: Thank you for the meal!

We've saved one of the most meaningful Japanese expressions for last.

When you finish eating in Japan, it's common to say:

ごちそうさまでした！(Gochisōsama deshita!)

This expression shows appreciation for the food, the people who prepared it, and everyone involved in bringing the meal to your table.

When leaving a ramen shop, try saying it to the staff.

You might hear a cheerful:

Japanese: ありがとうございました！(Arigatō gozaimashita!)

English: Thank you very much!

And just like that, you've experienced a little piece of Japanese culture through language.

By the way, Japanese people also have a special phrase they say before eating:

Japanese: いただきます！(Itadakimasu!)

English: An expression of gratitude before eating.

So remember:

• Before eating: いただきます！ (Itadakimasu!)

• After eating: ごちそうさまでした！ (Gochisōsama deshita!)

Two small expressions with a lot of cultural meaning.

🍜 Is Slurping Ramen Rude in Japan?

In many countries, making loud noises while eating is considered impolite.

But in Japan?

Slurping ramen is generally considered perfectly acceptable!

In fact, you'll often hear people enthusiastically slurping their noodles at ramen shops.

But here's something important.

You don't have to slurp!

If you're uncomfortable making noise while eating, that's completely fine. Enjoy your noodles however you feel most comfortable.

Why Might Slurping Make Ramen Taste Better?

Interestingly, there are a few reasons why slurping may actually enhance the ramen-eating experience.

1. More Soup with Every Bite

When you slurp noodles, you can draw some of the delicious broth into your mouth along with them.

This helps you enjoy the noodles and soup together.

2. A Better Aroma Experience

Slurping draws air into your mouth along with the noodles.

This may help release aromas from the broth and noodles, making their flavors easier to appreciate.

Think of how wine enthusiasts draw in a little air while tasting wine to experience its aroma.

The idea is somewhat similar!

3. Mixing Flavors in Your Mouth

There's a Japanese concept called kounai choumi (口内調味), which refers to combining different foods and flavors inside your mouth.

When you eat noodles and broth together, their flavors blend, creating a more balanced taste experience.

So slurping isn't just a cultural habit. It can also be a way of enjoying the flavors and aromas of ramen!

Of course, that doesn't mean slurping has been scientifically proven to make every bowl taste better.

The most important thing is enjoying your ramen your own way.

Don't just eat like a local. Speak like a local! 🐧🍜

At Japanguin, we help travelers discover Japan through practical Japanese lessons, authentic local experiences, and meaningful connections with Japanese people.

Because we believe the best travel memories aren't just about the places you visit or the food you eat.

They're about the people you connect with along the way.

See you at the ramen counter!