Sumimasen! — The Art of Calling the Waiter

Master the essential etiquette of dining in Japan: calling the waiter smoothly without a call button (すいませーーん！), asking for today's recommendations (おすすめは何ですか), requesting complimentary cold water (お冷) and tea, and settling the bill (お会計お願いします).

N5-N4 Series 2: Food & Restaurant Culture (日本語 Talk Radio) · All lessons · All courses

Vocabulary

  • 店員（てんいん） (店員): store clerk / restaurant server / waiter
  • 呼び出しベル（よびだしべる） (呼び出しベル): call button / table buzzer
  • 定食（ていしょく） (定食): Japanese set meal (includes main dish, rice, miso soup, pickles)
  • 生姜焼き（しょうがやき） (生姜焼き): pork sautéed with ginger sauce (classic Japanese diner favorite)
  • おすすめ (おすすめ): recommendation / chef's special
  • お冷（おひや） (お冷): complimentary iced water served at dining establishments
  • 伝票（でんぴょう） (伝票): sales slip / bill voucher placed on dining tables
  • お会計（おかいけい） (お会計): bill / check / payment

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Frequently asked questions

What does 「店員（てんいん）」 mean in this lesson?
store clerk / restaurant server / waiter
What does 「呼び出しベル（よびだしべる）」 mean in this lesson?
call button / table buzzer
What does 「定食（ていしょく）」 mean in this lesson?
Japanese set meal (includes main dish, rice, miso soup, pickles)
What does 「生姜焼き（しょうがやき）」 mean in this lesson?
pork sautéed with ginger sauce (classic Japanese diner favorite)
What does 「おすすめ」 mean in this lesson?
recommendation / chef's special
What does 「お冷（おひや）」 mean in this lesson?
complimentary iced water served at dining establishments
What does 「伝票（でんぴょう）」 mean in this lesson?
sales slip / bill voucher placed on dining tables
What does 「お会計（おかいけい）」 mean in this lesson?
bill / check / payment