What to order at a Japanese restaurant – For beginners
You enjoy going to Japanese restaurants, but you find yourself ordering the same sushi or dish every time because you don’t know what else to order. Or you may have never tried going to a Japanese restaurant because you don’t like sushi.
If you are ready to move on from edamame appetizers and teriyaki dinner, or if you are looking for surefire menu items that you will like, here is the list for you!
Every Japanese restaurant’s menu varies, but these are items that most Japanese restaurants in the U.S. would carry. These can be found in the non-sushi section of the menu. We are leaving out the detailed descriptions here to make it easier for you to reference but the restaurant’s menu should have more info on, if not a picture of, each item. If not, give it a try anyway!
Japanese Appetizers
- Gyoza (pan fried dumpling)
- Shumai (steamed dumpling)
- Tuna or Beef Tataki (tuna or beef tartar)
- Karaage / Kara-age (deep-fried chicken nuggets)
- Korokke (potato croquette)
- Harumaki (egg rolls)
- Kaki-fry (deep-fried oysters)
- Yakitori (skewered chicken)
- Vegetable or Shrimp Tempura (battered, fried vegetable or shrimp)
- Okonomiyaki (savory pancakes) Some restaurants may serve this as dinner
- Bacon wrapped quail eggs (not all restaurants have them but if you see them on the menu, you must try them!)
Pro tip: Order a bowl of rice (plus a side salad and/or miso soup if you wish) ala carte then order a few of these appetizers. It’s a great way to enjoy a variety of dishes at once and besides, that’s how the traditional Japanese dinner is served. Once you find an item you really like, just order more of it!
Related articles: Check out the easy okonomiyaki recipe and the bacon wrapped quail egg recipe to make them at home!
Japanese Dinners/Entrees
- Chicken or Pork Katsu (chicken or pork cutlet)
- Yakisoba (stir fried noodles)
- Yaki Udon (stir fried udon noodles)
- Curry Rice (Japanese style curry and rice)
- Katsu Don (rice bowl with cutlet)
- Ten Don (rice bowl with tempura)
- Tempura Udon or Soba (hot noodle soup with tempura)
- Ramen Try the Tonkotsu (pork bone broth) Shio (savory) or Miso flavor!
Related article: How to make Curry Rice easily at home!
Japanese Desserts
You’ll find that most Japanese restaurants do not have an extensive dessert menu. Frankly, you cannot go wrong with any of the Japanese dessert items but here is one item that is a must-try:
- Matcha (green tea) ice cream. Try it with Azuki (red bean paste) topping
What do you order at a Japanese restaurant?
Do you have a favorite item you order at a Japanese restaurant? Please share in the comment section below!
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Shammy Peterson | 9th Dec 21
It sure was interesting when you said that every Japanese restaurant’s menu varies, and they can be found in the non-sushi section of the menu. My husband and I will take note of this since we want to find a traditional Japanese restaurant where we can order affordable yet truly delicious dishes. We want to try different dishes, so we will do your tips when we visit a restaurant next week.
T.M. Brown | 14th Feb 19
Love me some Japanese food!!! Harumaki and anything tempura – oh, my goodness! Okay…time to find me a restaurant nearby.
admin | 15th Feb 19
I’m glad you validated some of my choices!! I got hungry writing this post too!
Mary | 13th Feb 19
Wow, this actually clears some things up for me. I love Japanese food, but honestly there are some things on the menu I didn’t completely understand. Thanks so much for the info!
Amanda | 12th Feb 19
This is invaluable! I never know what is what! Thank you 🙂
Kathryn at QuestFor47 | 12th Feb 19
Great tips! I LOVE eating at Japanese restaurants. My family and I tend to stick to the sushi menu. SO good.
Dennis | 10th Feb 19
Great tips! It can be confusing at times!
Susan Franklin | 10th Feb 19
Thanks for sharing, I haven’t eaten a lot of Japenese food, but I do like Yakisoba.
Jennifer Morrison | 9th Feb 19
This is such a great list! I have never been to a Japanese restaurant, but this gives me confidence to try!
Katie Mitchell | 9th Feb 19
These all sound good! I love the idea of ordering a side salad and then a few appetizers. Smart!
Laura | 9th Feb 19
I’m far from a beginner when it comes to Japanese food but I learned some things here. Great post!
Sandi | 9th Feb 19
Always tasty vegetarian option at Japanese restaurants!
Dee | 9th Feb 19
Tempura Udon is my favorite on cold days! I ask them to put the tempura on a dish instead of in the soup so it doesn’t get soggy.
Kim | 9th Feb 19
I love Japanese food but I stick to the same foods. Karaage is one of our favorites! But I’ll have to try some other items!
Carrie | 8th Feb 19
Goyza is my favorite! I love all kids of Japanese food and these are great suggestions for beginners!
Jennifer | 8th Feb 19
I am taking students to Japan in May for a Cultural Exchange Trip. Excited to follow along and learn more about the food and culture before I go!
Cindy | 8th Feb 19
Thanks for the suggestions! I enjoy Japanese food. I’m plant based now but there are usually vegan options available.
Pauline Reynolds | 8th Feb 19
I love Japanese food! My favorite Japanese restaurant is Kyoto in Salt Lake City. And I love green tea ice cream!!
Jessica | 8th Feb 19
These are great suggestions. I never know what to order so this is great!
Nicki | 8th Feb 19
This is super useful! It can be intimidating to try a new restaurant. Especially if you don’t know what the food is.
Mom Life Optimized | 8th Feb 19
This is a great post!! It’s so overwhelming to walk in there and decide what to get especially when your kids are with you too!
Leigh Ann | 8th Feb 19
So helpful, thank you!
Nikki | 8th Feb 19
This is great – so many times I’m not really sure what a dish really is.
Lisa | 8th Feb 19
This is really helpful!! Saving it for our next time we go out for Japanese.. thank you!
Angela Greven | 8th Feb 19
Super useful info for dining on Japanese fare. I love Miso anything it’s such a flavor bomb and Kaki-fry! Joining your mailing list now, love your site! Thank you 🙂
Cameron | 7th Feb 19
This is great! I usually get sushi when we eat Japanese, so it’s great to have some insight into some other options. Thanks!
Holly Bird | 7th Feb 19
Thank for the suggestions! I really have not eaten A lot of Japanese food!
Kayella | 7th Feb 19
My husband and I ate dinner at a Japanese restaurant last week and the only thing we ordered was teriyaki, because that’s the only thing we knew! I wish there would have been descriptions on the menu because I recognize some of the dishes here, and they sound absolutely delicious!
jen | 7th Feb 19
I need an article like this for every kind of food that is out there LOL
Anna | 7th Feb 19
I love Japanese food. Although sometimes it can be a challenge to find some vegan options there. But I usually order some side dishes and ricw because we truly enjoy going there with the family.
Junell DuBois | 7th Feb 19
Japanese is one of my favorites! Normally I fill up on sushi but you can’t go wrong with any of the dishes!
Jenna | 7th Feb 19
Growing up we used to eat yakisoba from a package at the grocery store, I’ve never thought to order it at a restaurant! Thanks for sharing!
Tricia Snow | 7th Feb 19
I like the idea of ordering ala carte. Eating in these places is difficult for me. I have often asked if there is shellfish and they say no and out comes the crab! lol.
admin | 7th Feb 19
Tricia, most of the ‘crab’ served at the Japanese restaurants (like in California rolls) are imitation crab made of white fish paste. That may be the cause for confusion! Of course, if you are allergic to shellfish, you definitely would not want to take that chance!
Larry | 7th Feb 19
I’ve never been and my boys want to try. I’m going to have to do this one day.