Lunch at a ramen shop
How to order ramen in Japanese: words and phrases
You're friends, having lunch together. Mei speaks first, in casual Japanese: plain forms, without です and ます, the way friends and family talk. Here is how it can begin, and the phrases and words worth having ready.
casualWith Mei, at the ramen shop
How Mei opens the conversation
Mei always speaks first. This is the scene's own opening line, with a reply you could give back at the same level:
ねえ、何にする？ここの味噌ラーメン、すごくおいしいよ！
Nē, nani ni suru? Koko no miso rāmen, sugoku oishii yo!
Hey, what are you getting? The miso ramen here is really good!
You could say
じゃあ、味噌ラーメンにする！
Jā, miso rāmen ni suru!
Then I'll get the miso ramen!
Other ways it can begin
No two conversations go the same way, and the first line changes too. Each of these can open the scene:
餃子も頼まない？ふたりで半分こしよう！
Gyōza mo tanomanai? Futari de hanbunko shiyō!
Want to order gyoza too? Let's split them!
You could say
いいね、頼もう！
Ii ne, tanomō!
Sounds good, let's order them!
ここ、替え玉が無料なんだって。知ってた？
Koko, kaedama ga muryō nan datte. Shitteta?
Apparently extra noodles are free here. Did you know?
You could say
知らなかった！じゃあ頼む。
Shiranakatta! Jā tanomu.
I had no idea! Then I'll get some.
辛いの平気？わたし、辛いの大好き。
Karai no heiki? Watashi, karai no daisuki.
Are you okay with spicy food? I love spicy stuff.
You could say
ちょっとだけなら平気だよ。
Chotto dake nara heiki da yo.
I'm fine with just a little.
このカウンター席、ラーメン作るの見えて楽しい！
Kono kauntā-seki, rāmen tsukuru no miete tanoshii!
These counter seats are fun — you can watch them making the ramen!
You could say
ほんとだ、すごい早いね。
Honto da, sugoi hayai ne.
You're right, they're so fast.
実は私、ここ週一で来てるんだ。
Jitsu wa watashi, koko shūichi de kiteru n da.
Actually, I come here once a week.
You could say
そんなに好きなんだ！
Sonna ni suki nan da!
You like it that much!
Phrases worth knowing here
Lines for what you do at the ramen shop, each with when you'd say it.
- 味噌ラーメンにするmiso rāmen ni suruI'll go with miso ramen.Use when deciding your order out loud; swap in 醤油 (shōyu) or 塩 (shio) for other flavors.
- 食券買ってくるねshokken katte kuru neI'll go buy the meal ticket.Say it at a shop with a ticket vending machine before sitting down.
- 麺、かためでいい?men, katame de ii?Firm noodles okay with you?Ask your friend before ordering when the shop lets you choose noodle firmness.
- 替え玉する?kaedama suru?Want an extra serving of noodles?Say it near the end of the bowl, mainly at tonkotsu shops that offer refills.
- 一口食べる?hitokuchi taberu?Want a bite?Offer a taste of your bowl or gyoza to a friend mid-meal.
Words you'll hear
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ラーメン | rāmen | ramen |
| 醤油 | shōyu | soy sauce (broth flavor) |
| 味噌 | miso | miso (broth flavor) |
| 替え玉 | kaedama | extra noodle refill |
| 餃子 | gyōza | dumplings |
| 麺 | men | noodles |
| スープ | sūpu | soup, broth |
| 辛い | karai | spicy |
| 美味しい | oishii | delicious |
| 食券 | shokken | meal ticket (from the machine) |
How polite to be
casual Here Mei speaks casual Japanese: plain forms, without です and ます, the way friends and family talk, and the replies suggested to you match the level you'd use back. The guide to keigo explains the three levels, and when each is right.
Eating out somewhere else? The guide to ordering food in Japanese walks through a whole meal, from the door to the check.
Try it out loud
In Unsubtitled, Mei says these lines in their own voice, and answers whatever you say back, typed or dictated, with furigana, romaji, and a translation until you no longer need them.
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