Ordering food in Japan can be very intimidating at first, especially if you do not speak any Japanese whatsoever. That is okay though, there are lots of menus that are written as best as they can in English. While the English is broken, one can still understand the intent of what is trying to be said.
Servers might not speak any English at all, and suddenly you are standing in front of a vending machine covered in Japanese characters and a line is forming behind you. But here is the good news: Japan is one of the easiest countries in the world to order food without speaking Japanese, and we found that to be true during our travels throughout the country of Japan. It all comes with understanding how the restaurants work, once you mastered that, it becomes surprisingly easy.
If you are planning your first trip to Japan, this pairs perfectly with our Japanese Etiquette Guide and our Best Ramen in Japan posts.
Table of Contents
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How to Use a Ramen Ticket Machine in Japan
if there is one moment that makes first time travellers to Japan panic, it may be the ticket machines for the ramen shops.
Our first time to Japan, we were trying to figure out the machine while many others were waiting behind us. It was a little awkward.
Once you are able to understand how exactly these machines work, they actually make ordering ramen a lot easier than in most other countries.
Here is exactly how it works:
Step 1: Find the Ticket Machine (Before you sit down)
At most ramen shops, you order before you sit down. It is only until you are called in, can you use the ticket machine.
The ticket machine is usually:
- Right inside the entrance
- sometimes just outside the door
- occasionally in a small hallway before the seating area
Step 2: Look for photos or English button
Most ramen machines in shops are very visual.
There are almost always photos of the ramens on the buttons, and or plastic displays nearby. If there is no English button, like in the photo above, there will be English writing there (in most cases).
Step 3: Choose Your Ramen!
Choosing your ramen is simple, you click on the button of the ramen you want and like we mentioned above, on the button there is usually a photo of the ramen. If you would like to know everything that is in the ramen, you may want to ask and use Google Translate if English is hard for the workers.
Step 4: Add Extras (If available)
After selecting your Ramen, there may be buttons for extras such as extra noodles, eggs, chashu pork or extra broth.
Step 5: Insert Cash (It is 99% always only a cash option)
Just like a vending machine you are used to in North America or Europe, insert the cash and find your seat. It will usually dispense your ticket that you give to any of the workers.
And in just a couple of shirt minutes, your ramen will be ready for consumption.
Common Mistakes Tourists Make at Ramen Ticket Machines
Avoid these and you will already be ahead of most first timers:
- Sitting down before ordering
- Not having cash ready
- Blocking the entrance while deciding
- Over-ordering extras
- Stressing about making mistakes (staff are very understanding)