How to Read Japanese Menus: A Visual Guide
By Tour in Japan editors · Updated
Don't let Japanese menus intimidate you — most restaurants use photos, and you can learn the key characters in minutes.
Don't let Japanese menus intimidate you — most restaurants use photos, and you can learn the key characters in minutes.
The Good News
- Photos everywhere — most restaurants display plastic food models or photos
- English menus — common in tourist areas
- Point and smile — perfectly acceptable
- Tablet ordering — many restaurants have picture-based touch screens
Key Menu Characters
Common Words
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 定食 | Teishoku | Set meal |
| 並み | Nami | Regular portion |
| 大盛り | Ōmori | Large portion |
| 小盛り | Kōmori | Small portion |
| おすすめ | Osusume | Recommended |
| 新商品 | Shin shōhin | New item |
| 限定 | Gentei | Limited edition |
| 季節 | Kisetsu | Seasonal |
| 味噌 | Miso | Miso soup |
| 白米 | Hakumai | White rice |
| 無料 | Muryō | Free (refill) |
| 有料 | Yūryō | Charged extra |
Protein
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 鶏肉 | Toriniku | Chicken |
| 豚肉 | Buta niku | Pork |
| 牛肉 | Gyūniku | Beef |
| 魚 | Sakana | Fish |
| 海老 | Ebi | Shrimp |
| 卵 | Tamago | Egg |
| 豆腐 | Tōfu | Tofu |
Cooking Methods
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 焼き | Yaki | Grilled |
| 揚げ | Age | Deep-fried |
| 煮 | Ni | Simmered |
| 蒸し | Mushi | Steamed |
| 生 | Nama | Raw |
| 炒め | Itame | Stir-fried |
| 炙り | Aburi | Torched |
Flavors
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 辛い | Karai | Spicy |
| 甘い | Amai | Sweet |
| 塩辛い | Shio karai | Salty |
| 酸っぱい | Suppai | Sour |
| 旨味 | Umami | Savory |
Reading Prices
| Character | Meaning | |-----------|---------| | 税込 | Zeikomi | Tax included | | 税抜 | Zeinuki | Tax excluded | | 税 | Zei | Tax (8% or 10%) |
Note: Food has 8% tax, non-food has 10% tax.
Common Dish Names
| Dish | Japanese | What It Is |
|---|---|---|
| Ramen | ラーーン | Noodle soup |
| Udon | うどん | Thick wheat noodles |
| Soba | そば | Buckwheat noodles |
| Sushi | すし | Rice + raw fish |
| Sashimi | さしみ | Raw fish (no rice) |
| Tempura | 天ぷら | Battered fried seafood/vegetables |
| Tonkatsu | とんかつ | Breaded pork cutlet |
| Yakitori | やきとり | Grilled chicken skewers |
| Gyūdon | ぎゅうどん | Beef rice bowl |
| Katsu curry | カツカレー | Curry + pork cutlet |
Tips
- Photos are your friend — point at what looks good
- Ask for "osusume" — staff will recommend dishes
- Google Translate camera — point at the menu for instant translation
- Don't be afraid to order wrong — it's all an adventure
- Look for plastic food — displayed outside most restaurants
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