Why Japan?Japanese Phrases for a Ramen Shop
Ticket machine, noodle firmness, a second helping of noodles: how a ramen counter works, and what to say.
Tap Show to display a phrase in large Japanese for the staff.
The ticket machine
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You’ll hear
食券をお願いします
Shokken o onegai shimasu
Your ticket, please.
At many ramen shops you order and pay first at a ticket machine by the door.
Why?
The machine combines ordering and payment. Depending on the shop, it may send your order to the kitchen automatically, or you hand the printed ticket to the staff — follow the screen or the staff’s gesture.
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使い方を教えてください
Tsukaikata o oshiete kudasai
Could you show me how to use it?
If the machine has no English. Staff are used to helping.
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おすすめはどれですか？
Osusume wa dore desu ka?
Which one do you recommend?
Machine layouts vary. Look for おすすめ (recommended) or a photo marked No. 1, or ask and let the staff point to a button.
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現金だけですか？
Genkin dake desu ka?
Is it cash only?
Some ticket machines take only cash, and older ones may not accept ¥5,000 or ¥10,000 notes. Others take IC cards like Suica.
At the counter
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You’ll hear
麺のかたさはどうしますか？
Men no katasa wa dō shimasu ka?
How firm would you like your noodles?
Some shops ask this, especially tonkotsu ramen shops.
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かためで
Katame de
Firm, please.
Or futsū (regular) or yawarakame (soft).
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普通で
Futsū de
Regular, please.
The safe choice if you are not sure.
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麺少なめで
Men sukuname de
Fewer noodles, please.
Some shops will make a smaller portion if you ask.
Eating
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いただきます
Itadakimasu
(Said before eating)
Said just before you start. A quiet one is enough at a counter.
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替え玉ください
Kaedama kudasai
Another serving of noodles, please.
At many tonkotsu (pork-bone) ramen shops — not every shop offers it. Ask while you still have soup left; the new noodles go into it.
Why?
Kaedama is an extra serving of noodles only, usually for a small charge. It is most closely associated with Nagahama and Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen from Fukuoka, where the noodles are thin.
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おいしいです
Oishii desu
It’s delicious.
And slurping your noodles is acceptable in a ramen shop — but not required.
Leaving
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ごちそうさまでした
Gochisōsama deshita
Thank you for the meal.
Said as you get up. Leave the bowl where it is unless a sign or the staff asks you to return it.
Why?
Tipping is not customary in Japan. Saying this on your way out is how customers thank the staff for the meal. Watch: Why Is There No Tipping in Japan?
