Step away from the specialized worlds of ramen and sushi, and you’ll find the heart of everyday Japanese cuisine: the Shokudō (食堂). These casual eateries are the workhorses of the Japanese dining scene, serving a wide variety of familiar, home-style dishes. A popular type of shokudō is the Teishoku-ya (定食屋), which specializes in serving teishoku (定食), or balanced set meals.

This Guide to Shokudō in Japan will walk you through the entire experience, from understanding the menu to paying the bill. We’ll cover the most popular dishes and the simple customs that will make you feel right at home, providing the essential Japanese you need in a Shokudō to order with ease and confidence.

 

1. The Anatomy of a Teishoku Set Meal (定食の基本)

The core of the Teishoku-ya is the teishoku, a complete meal served on a single tray. This style is based on the traditional Japanese meal concept of ichijū-sansai (一汁三菜), which means “one soup, three dishes.” The goal is to provide a nutritionally balanced, satisfying meal with a variety of flavors and textures.

Teishoku Components
定食 (ていしょく) – Teishoku – A set meal
主菜 (しゅさい) – Shusai – The main dish (e.g., grilled fish, fried chicken)
ご飯 (ごはん) – Gohan – A bowl of steamed rice
味噌汁 (みそしる) – Misoshiru – Miso soup
副菜 (ふくさい) – Fukusai – Side dishes, often a small vegetable or salad dish
漬物 (つけもの) – Tsukemono – Japanese pickles

2. Classic Teishoku Dishes You’ll Encounter

The main dish defines the type of teishoku. While menus vary, you will almost always find a reliable lineup of beloved Japanese comfort foods. These dishes are staples of home cooking and represent the kind of meals Japanese people eat every day.

Popular Teishoku Main Dishes
唐揚げ定食 (からあげていしょく) – Karaage Teishoku – Japanese fried chicken set
生姜焼き定食 (しょうがやきていしょく) – Shōgayaki Teishoku – Ginger pork stir-fry set
とんかつ定食 (とんかつていしょく) – Tonkatsu Teishoku – Fried pork cutlet set
鯖の塩焼き定食 (さばのしおやきていしょく) – Saba no Shioyaki Teishoku – Salt-grilled mackerel set
ハンバーグ定食 (はんばーぐていしょく) – Hanbāgu Teishoku – Hamburger steak set
日替わり定食 (ひがわりていしょく) – Higawari Teishoku – The daily special set

3. How to Order Your Meal (注文の仕方)

Unlike many ramen shops, ordering at a shokudō is typically done directly with the staff. Menus often have pictures, making it easy to choose. Many shops also feature a daily special (日替わり, higawari) written on a blackboard. Knowing how to get the staff’s attention and ask for the special of the day is a fundamental part of the Japanese you need in a Shokudō.

Ordering Phrases
すみません、注文お願いします。
すみません、ちゅうもんおねがいします。
Sumimasen, chūmon onegai shimasu.
Excuse me, I’d like to order.

これ、お願いします。
これ、おねがいします。
Kore, onegai shimasu.
This one, please. (while pointing at a menu item)

今日の日替わりは何ですか。
きょうのひがわりはなんですか。
Kyō no higawari wa nan desu ka.
What is the daily special?

お水ください。
おみずください。
O-mizu kudasai.
Water, please.

4. The Joy of Free Refills (おかわり自由)

One of the best perks of many teishoku-ya is the free and unlimited refill of steamed rice (ご飯おかわり自由, gohan okawari jiyū). Sometimes this extends to miso soup as well. Look for these characters on the menu or signs in the shop. Knowing how to ask for it is some of the most useful Japanese you need in a Shokudō for a truly satisfying meal.

Refill Vocabulary
おかわり自由 (おかわりじゆう) – Okawari Jiyū – Free refills
ご飯のおかわり、お願いします。
ごはんのおかわり、おねがいします。
Gohan no okawari, onegai shimasu.
A refill of rice, please.

大盛り (おおもり) – Ōmori – Large portion (for rice, at the time of ordering)
普通 (ふつう) – Futsū – Regular portion
少なめ (すくなめ) – Sukuname – Small portion

5. Dining Etiquette and Atmosphere

The atmosphere in a shokudō is relaxed and unpretentious. You’ll see salarymen on their lunch break, students, and local families. Often, water or tea is self-service (セルフサービス, serufu sābisu); there will be a station with glasses and a pitcher. Simply remember to say “Itadakimasu” before eating to express gratitude.

Etiquette Vocabulary
いただきます (itadakimasu) – Said before you start eating.
ごちそうさまでした (gochisōsama deshita) – Said after you finish, meaning “Thank you for the meal.”
セルフサービス (serufu sābisu) – Self-service
カウンター席 (かうんたーせき) – Kauntā seki – Counter seat
テーブル席 (てーぶるせき) – Tēburu seki – Table seat
おしぼり (oshibori) – A wet towel to clean your hands

6. Paying the Bill (お会計)

When your satisfying meal is complete, the final step is to pay. In most shokudō, the staff will leave a bill (伝票, denpyō) at your table when they deliver your food. You simply take this slip to the cash register near the entrance to pay. The following phrases represent the last bit of Japanese you need in a Shokudō to wrap up your visit smoothly.

Payment Phrases
お会計お願いします。
おかいけいおねがいします。
O-kaikei onegai shimasu.
The check, please.

ごちそうさまでした (gochisōsama deshita) – This phrase doubles as a “thank you” when paying.
伝票 (でんぴょう) – Denpyō – The bill/check slip
レジ (reji) – The cash register
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, please.

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