How to Order at a Japanese Ramen Shop

Many ramen shops in Japan are quick, quiet and efficient — some even take your order through a 券売機 (kenbaiki), a ticket vending machine by the door. Here's how to order and enjoy a bowl.

• すみません。 — sumimasen — Excuse me. Gets attention politely.
• ラーメン一つ、お願いします。 — rāmen hitotsu, onegai shimasu — One ramen, please.
• おすすめは何ですか？ — osusume wa nan desu ka? — What do you recommend?
• 大盛りでお願いします。 — ōmori de onegai shimasu — Large size, please.
• お水をください。 — o-mizu o kudasai — Water, please.
• いただきます。 — itadakimasu — Said before eating (a small thanks for the meal).
• ごちそうさまでした。 — gochisōsama deshita — Said after eating, to thank for the meal.

Slurping is welcome — it's a compliment! Learn these phrases, then practise them with a Japanese speaker so いただきます and ごちそうさま come naturally the moment the bowl arrives.