Learning Japanese Through JLPT N5 Reading: A Simple Restaurant Menu

The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N5 is designed for beginners. One of the easiest ways to start practicing reading comprehension is by looking at common, everyday materials like menus! This article will walk you through understanding a simple Japanese restaurant menu and give you practical phrases you can use.

Understanding Basic Japanese Phrases on a Menu

Menus are filled with short, polite phrases. Here are some key ones to look out for:

• 私 (わたし) / ぼく (boku): I
• ～をください (～o kudasai): Please give me…
• お勧めします (osusume shimasu): I recommend…
• これは何ですか？ (Kore wa nan desu ka?): What is this?
• お会計 (o-kaikei): The bill / Check

Example: “すみません、これ何ですか？” (Sumimasen, kore wa nan desu ka?) – “Excuse me, what is this?” This is a really useful phrase to learn early on!

Let’s Look at a Sample Menu

Item	Price	Japanese
Chicken Rice	800 Yen	鶏肉ご飯 (Tori-niku gohan)
Vegetable Tempura	950 Yen	野菜の天ぷら (Yasai no tenpura)
Beef Curry with Rice	1200 Yen	牛肉カレーライス (Gyuuniku karē raisu)
Miso Soup	480 Yen	味噌汁 (Miso shiru)
Green Tea	350 Yen	緑茶 (Ryokucha)

Note: “Yen” is the Japanese currency. Don’t worry too much about converting it at this stage – focus on recognizing the items and their prices.

Reading a Menu – Scenario 1

You’re in a small, family-run restaurant. You want to order Chicken Rice. Here’s how you might do it:

1. You: “すみません。” (Sumimasen.) – “Excuse me.”
2. Server: “はい、いらっしゃいませ。” (Hai, irasshaimase.) – “Welcome!” (This is a standard greeting in restaurants)
3. You: “鶏肉ご飯をください。” (Tori-niku gohan o kudasai.) – “Please give me Chicken Rice.”
4. Server: “かしこまりました。” (Kashikomarimashita.) – “Understood” (A polite way to acknowledge the order)

Common Mistakes: Many beginners say “Watashi o kudasai,” which is also correct, but “～o kudasai” is more natural and commonly used. Don’t feel bad about making this mistake – native speakers will appreciate your effort!

Reading a Menu – Scenario 2

You’re not sure what to order and the server recommends Beef Curry.

1. Server: “牛肉カレーライスはお勧めします。” (Gyuuniku karē raisu wa osusume shimasu.) – “I recommend Beef Curry.”
2. You: “ありがとうございます。牛肉カレーライスをください。” (Arigatou gozaimasu. Gyuuniku karē raisu o kudasai.) – “Thank you very much. Please give me Beef Curry.”

Key Vocabulary: arigatou gozaimasu (thank you very much) – a polite way to express gratitude.

Final Thoughts

Reading menus is a fantastic way to start learning Japanese. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes! Practice these phrases, and soon you’ll be ordering delicious food in Japan!