🍜 Lesson 2 – Ordering at a Ramen Shop
Before we even sat down, Aiko explained one of Japan’s most fascinating food customs — the ramen vending machine system (食券, shokken). At many ramen shops in Japan, you don’t order from a waiter. Instead, you choose your meal from a vending machine near the entrance. You insert cash, press the button for your ramen (like しょうゆラーメン for soy sauce ramen), and receive a ticket. You then hand this ticket to the staff or chef, who calls out your order when it’s ready. It’s fast, efficient, and uniquely Japanese — and even with limited language skills, it’s easy for travelers to use!
🗣️ Dialogue: At a Ramen Shop
店員 (Ten’in) – Restaurant Worker
いらっしゃいませ！
Irasshaimase!
Literal: “You have come (honorifically)!”
店員
なんめいさまですか？
Nan-mei sama desu ka?
Literal: “How many honorable people (is it)?”
Customer (Me)
よにんです。
Yonin desu.
Literal: “Four people (it is).”
店員
こちらへどうぞ。
Kochira e dōzo.
Literal: “Toward this side, please.”
Customer
ありがとうございます。
Arigatō gozaimasu.
Literal: “There is gratitude (polite).”
🪑 (Everyone sits.)
Customer
すみません、生ビールをふたつください。
Sumimasen, nama bīru o futatsu kudasai.
Literal: “Excuse me, raw beer two please-give.”
For the kids
コーラとオレンジジュースをください。
Kōra to orenji jūsu o kudasai.
Literal: “Cola and orange juice (object) please-give.”
店員
はい、しょうしょうおまちください。
Hai, shōshō omachi kudasai.
Literal: “Yes, please wait a little.”
🥂 (Drinks arrive.)
店員
どうぞ。
Dōzo.
Literal: “Please (take it).”
Customer
ありがとうございます。
Arigatō gozaimasu.
Literal: “There is gratitude (polite).”
Customer (asking for a recommendation)
おすすめはなんですか？
Osusume wa nan desu ka?
Literal: “As for recommendation, what is it?”
店員
しょうゆラーメンが人気です。
Shōyu rāmen ga ninki desu.
Literal: “Soy-sauce ramen is popularity.”
Customer (ordering)
じゃあ、しょうゆラーメンをください。
Jaa, shōyu rāmen o kudasai.
Literal: “Then, soy-sauce ramen please-give.”
🍜 (After eating.)
Customer
ごちそうさまでした。
Gochisō sama deshita.
Literal: “It was a feast (honorific).”
📖 Mini Vocabulary Box
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning | Literal |
|---|---|---|---|
| いらっしゃいませ | Irasshaimase | Welcome | “You have come (honorifically)” |
| なんめいさまですか | Nan-mei sama desu ka | How many in your party? | “How many honorable people (is it)?” |
| こちらへどうぞ | Kochira e dōzo | This way, please | “Toward this side, please” |
| 生ビール | Nama bīru | Draft beer | “Raw beer” |
| ふたつ | Futatsu | Two (general counter) | “Two (things)” |
