Japanese - Ordering Food

___を付けてください。

___ o tsukete kudasai.

With ___, please.

Meaning: With ___, please.

When to use: Use this when you want to add something to your order, like a topping or extra item. Put the thing you want where the blank is.

Tip: Don’t confuse this with 「入れてください」 for putting something inside a dish; 付けてください often means add-on or on the side.

別でお願いします。

betsu de onegai shimasu.

On the side, please.

Meaning: On the side, please.

When to use: Say this when you want sauces, dressings, or extra items served separately instead of already on the dish.

Tip: Learners sometimes drop the noun (ソース) and say only 別で, which can sound abrupt. Include what should be separate if it’s not clear.

___にします。

___ ni shimasu.

I'll have ___, please.

Meaning: I'll have ___, please.

When to use: Use this to state your choice politely when selecting from a menu. Replace the blank with the dish or drink name.

おすすめは何ですか。

osusume wa nan desu ka.

What do you recommend?

Meaning: What do you recommend?

When to use: Ask this to the server when you want a suggestion or the most popular dish.

注文をお願いします。

chūmon o onegai shimasu.

I'm ready to order.

Meaning: I'm ready to order.

When to use: Say this to call the server when your group is ready to place the order.

すみません、もう少し待ってください。

sumimasen, mō sukoshi matte kudasai.

Not yet, thanks.

Meaning: Not yet, thanks.

When to use: Use this when someone asks if you are ready but you need more time. It’s a polite way to ask for a short wait.

Tip: Learners sometimes translate this too literally as an apology only; it functions as a polite request for time, not a refusal.

同じものをお願いします。

onaji mono o onegai shimasu.

The same, please.

Meaning: The same, please.

When to use: Use this when you want the exact same dish or drink as another person at your table.

何が付いていますか。

nani ga tsuite imasu ka.

What comes with it?

Meaning: What comes with it?

When to use: Ask this when you want to know what is included with a set meal or dish (side dishes, rice, soup, etc.).

これはベジタリアン向けですか。

kore wa bejitarian-muke desu ka.

Is this vegetarian?

Meaning: Is this vegetarian?

When to use: Use this to check if a dish is suitable for vegetarians. You can follow up with questions about fish or dashi if needed.