A trip to a Yakiniku (焼肉) restaurant in Japan is a must-do for any meat lover. It’s a fun, interactive, and incredibly delicious dining experience where you become the chef, grilling bite-sized pieces of meat to perfection right at your table. Whether you’re at a high-end restaurant serving premium Wagyu or a lively, all-you-can-eat chain, knowing the essential Japanese you need in a Yakiniku Restaurant will elevate your meal from simply great to truly unforgettable.

This guide will equip you with all the Japanese you need in a Yakiniku Restaurant. We’ll cover everything from getting a table and deciphering the menu to mastering the grill and ordering like a local.

 

First Steps: Entering and Getting Your Grill (入店 – Nyūten)

Your Yakiniku adventure starts the moment you walk through the door. The first step is to let the staff know how many people are in your group. Most Yakiniku restaurants have booth-style seating with a grill built into the table.

Essential Entry Phrases
すみません (sumimasen) – Excuse me (to get staff’s attention)

一人です (ひとりです) – Hitori desu – It’s one person.
二人です (ふたりです) – Futari desu – It’s two people.
三人です (さんにんです) – Sannin desu – It’s three people.
四人です (よにんです) – Yonin desu – It’s four people.

予約をしていますか。
よやくをしていますか。
Yoyaku o shiteimasu ka.
Do you have a reservation?

いいえ、していません。
いいえ、していません。
Iie, shiteimasen.
No, I don’t.

The Main Event: Understanding the Menu and Ordering (注文 – Chūmon)

Yakiniku menus can be extensive. You’ll often find two main options: ordering individual plates (単品, tanpin) or choosing an all-you-can-eat course (食べ放題, tabehōdai), which is very popular and great value. It’s customary to order drinks first.

1. Ordering Drinks (飲み物 – Nomimono)

まず、飲み物をください。
まず、のみものをください。
Mazu, nomimono o kudasai.
First, drinks please.

生ビールを一つお願いします。
なまビールをひとつおねがいします。
Nama bīru o hitotsu onegai shimasu.
One draft beer, please.

Popular Drinks
生ビール (なまビール) – Nama bīru – Draft beer
ハイボール (はいぼーる) – Haibōru – Highball (whisky and soda)
レモンサワー (れもんさわー) – Remon sawā – Lemon Sour (shochu cocktail)
ウーロン茶 (うーろんちゃ) – Ūroncha – Oolong Tea
お水 (おみず) – Omizu – Water

2. Choosing Your Course

If you’re going for all-you-can-eat, the staff will explain the time limit (usually 90 or 120 minutes) and the rules. If you’re ordering à la carte, you can start with a few plates and order more as you go. Learning the names of the cuts is the most important part of the Japanese you need in a Yakiniku Restaurant.

食べ放題をお願いします。
たべほうだいをおねがいします。
Tabehōdai o onegai shimasu.
The all-you-can-eat course, please.

これを一つお願いします。
これをひとつおねがいします。
Kore o hitotsu onegai shimasu.
One of these, please. (when pointing at the menu)

Ordering Structure: (Meat Name) を (Quantity) お願いします。
Example: 「カルビを一人前お願いします。」 (Karubi o ichininmae onegai shimasu.) – “One serving of kalbi, please.”
一人前 (いちにんまえ) – Ichininmae – One serving
二人前 (ににんまえ) – Nininmae – Two servings

Know Your Meat: The Yakiniku Menu (肉 – Niku)

Here are some of the most popular cuts you’ll find on a Yakiniku menu. Don’t be afraid to try a variety!

— Beef (牛肉 – Gyūniku) —
カルビ (かるび) – Karubi – Kalbi/Short Rib. A classic, juicy, marbled cut.
ロース (ろーす) – Rōsu – Loin. A leaner, tender cut.
ハラミ (はらみ) – Harami – Skirt Steak. Very flavorful and tender.
タン (たん) – Tan – Tongue. Often served thinly sliced with salt and lemon.

— Pork (豚肉 – Butaniku) —
豚バラ (ぶたばら) – Butabara – Pork Belly. Rich and flavorful.
トントロ (とんとろ) – Tontoro – Fatty Pork Cheek/Neck. Melts in your mouth.

— Chicken (鶏肉 – Toriniku) —
もも (もも) – Momo – Chicken Thigh. Juicy and classic.
なんこつ (なんこつ) – Nankotsu – Cartilage. Prized for its crunchy texture.

— Offal (ホルモン – Horumon) —
レバー (ればー) – Rebā – Liver.
ミノ (みの) – Mino – First stomach of the cow. Chewy texture.

— Other Items —
ウインナー (ういんなー) – Winnā – Wiener Sausages
野菜盛り合わせ (やさいもりあわせ) – Yasai Moriawase – Assorted vegetable platter (onions, peppers, mushrooms)
ご飯 (ごはん) – Gohan – Rice (a must-have!)
キムチ (きむち) – Kimuchi – Kimchi
サンチュ (さんちゅ) – Sanchu – Lettuce leaves for wrapping meat.

At the Grill: Essential Phrases and Actions

Once your food arrives, it’s time to grill! You’ll be given tongs (トング, tongu). Use these to place raw meat on the grill. Use your own chopsticks to take the cooked meat off the grill and eat it. If the grill gets too charred, you can ask for a new one.

Grilling Phrases
網を替えてください。
あみをかえてください。
Ami o kaete kudasai.
Please change the grill mesh.

これはどうやって焼きますか。
これはどうやってやきますか。
Kore wa dōyatte yakimasu ka.
How do I grill this?

タレ (たれ) – Tare – Dipping sauce (usually a sweet soy base)
塩 (しお) – Shio – Salt
レモン (れもん) – Remon – Lemon

ラストオーダーです。
らすとおーだーです。
Rasuto ōdā desu.
It’s time for last orders. (At all-you-can-eat places)

Yakiniku Etiquette 101: The Do’s and Don’ts

While Yakiniku is a relaxed affair, following some basic etiquette is a key part of using the Japanese you need in a Yakiniku Restaurant properly. This shows respect for the food and your fellow diners.

  • Use the Tongs: Always use the provided tongs for handling raw meat. Never use your own chopsticks that go in your mouth to touch raw meat to avoid cross-contamination.
  • Grill Master: In a group, one person often takes the lead in grilling. If you’re that person, make sure to cook meat for others and place it on their plates.
  • Don’t Overcrowd: Don’t put too much meat on the grill at once. This lowers the temperature and causes the meat to steam rather than sear. Cook in small batches.
  • Don’t Burn It: Pay attention! Yakiniku meat is thinly sliced and cooks quickly. Leaving it unattended is the fastest way to ruin a good piece of meat.

Wrapping Up and Paying
お会計お願いします。
おかいけいおねがいします。
Okaikei onegai shimasu.
The bill, please.

別々でお願いします。
べつべつでおねがいします。
Betsubetsu de onegai shimasu.
We’d like to pay separately.

ごちそうさまでした。
ごちそうさまでした。
Gochisōsama deshita.
“Thank you for the meal.” (A polite phrase to say when leaving)

 

Cultural Notes: The Social Heart of Yakiniku

Yakiniku’s origins are heavily influenced by Korean cuisine, which became popular in Japan after WWII. Today, it is a beloved Japanese staple. More than just a meal, Yakiniku is a social event. It’s about gathering around a grill, sharing food, drinking, and talking. The act of cooking together creates a lively, communal, and bonding atmosphere that is truly special.

When you visit a Yakiniku restaurant, you’re not just a customer; you’re part of a shared culinary experience. Embrace the noise, the sizzle, and the delicious smells. Enjoy the process of cooking, and don’t forget to say 「美味しかったです。」 (Oishikatta desu. – “That was delicious.”) to show your appreciation. Enjoy your meal!

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