Can't Read Japanese Menus? No Problem! The Complete Ramen Ordering Survival Guide

Quick answer: You do not need Japanese to eat well here. Most ramen shops use a ticket machine with photos, and the ones that do not will take a pointed finger without comment. Learn three phrases, screenshot the kanji tables on this page, and you are covered. The one thing worth knowing in advance: dark buttons on the machine mean sold out, not broken.

See the Shinjuku food tour on Viator →

Are you standing outside a ramen shop in Japan, feeling that familiar anxiety as you stare at a menu full of characters you can't decipher? I've been there too. That moment of panic when you're hungry, the line behind you is growing, and you have no idea what button to press on the ticket machine.

Good news: you don't need to speak Japanese to enjoy authentic ramen! This guide will transform you from confused tourist to confident ramen connoisseur. By the time you finish reading, you'll navigate both ticket machines and verbal ordering with ease, armed with simple techniques that work every time.

I've compiled every survival strategy I've learned from living in Japan and guiding countless friends through their first ramen experiences. These methods have been battle-tested in hundreds of shops across the country, from tiny counters in Tokyo alleys to famous chains in Kyoto.

Save this article to your phone now. It might just be the most valuable thing on your device when hunger strikes in Japan!

Decoding Japanese Menus in 3 Simple Steps

Two Ordering Styles Mastered

Style A: Ticket Machine Ordering

1. Insert cash or transit IC card
2. Large picture buttons = basic ramen bowls
3. Small buttons = toppings & size options
4. Retrieve your ticket from the dispenser
5. Hand to staff → Take a seat

Pro tip: Dark (unlit) buttons indicate sold-out items. You can only select illuminated options.

Style B: Verbal Ordering (Usually pay after eating)

1. Sit down → Receive menu (often Japanese-only)
2. Use smartphone camera translation or our cheat sheet
3. Point + use key phrases to order

Essential Phrases:

• "Kore o kudasai" – This, please (pointing is essential)
• "Osusume wa dore desu ka?" – What do you recommend?
• "Negi nuki de" – Without green onions
• "Ōmori de" – Large portion

Note on pronunciation: Don't worry about saying these phrases perfectly! Japanese staff are accustomed to helping tourists. The key is to speak clearly and pair your words with pointing or gestures. Even with an accent, these simple phrases combined with pointing will get your message across effectively.

Topping Dictionary & Kanji Cheat Sheet

Essential Toppings & Sides Quick Reference

Major Ramen Style Kanji Guide

Screenshot recommended! Save these tables to use as your "pointing tool"!

About the pronunciation guide: The romanized Japanese in these tables is provided to help you recognize words you might hear, but don't worry about perfect pronunciation. In most ramen shops, simply pointing to the item on your phone screen and saying "This one please" in English will work perfectly. The pronunciation guide is included to give you a sense of what you might hear if the staff repeats your order back to you.

FAQ: Common Issues & Quick Solutions

Pro-Tips: The Pointing & Translation Power Moves

• Photo Screenshot Strategy: Save pictures of ramen you want to try on your phone → Point at it in the shop with "This one" for foolproof ordering.
• Basic English + Gesture Combo: Simple terms like "Big size," "No garlic" work fine. Create a circle with hands to indicate size.

Or skip the problem for one evening. Everything above works, and after a day or two you will stop thinking about it. The hard part is the first night. You are tired, there is a queue behind you, and the machine is in Japanese. A guided food crawl removes that specific problem: someone else orders, you eat, and you watch how it is done before trying it alone. The Shinjuku tours are the ones built for this, moving through several small counter places in one evening. Be honest with yourself about the trade-off, though: you are paying for the guide, not the food, and it costs many times what the same bowls would cost you alone. If you have a week in Japan, one guided evening followed by six on your own is a better deal than seven guided ones. See the Shinjuku food tour on Viator →

Next Steps: Level Up Your Ramen Game

Unsure which ramen style fits your taste?

Want to know where to go?

Armed with our kanji chart + photo technique + basic English. Japanese menus will not intimidate you again.
Enjoy your perfect bowl & happy slurping!