Kōfuku

Learn Japan in 30-second reels

Real phrases for the konbini, the restaurant, the train — each with romaji and English, ready to use the second you land.

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The Counter Asks You One Word Before Your Food Is Rung Up. Say This or the Sides Never Come. Survival ▶

The Counter Asks You One Word Before Your Food Is Rung Up. Say This or the Sides Never Come.

setto de · The set, please.

Order Like a Local #japanesefood

You Wave. You Cough. Nobody Comes. There Is a Button Right Next to Your Hand. Survival ▶

You Wave. You Cough. Nobody Comes. There Is a Button Right Next to Your Hand.

yobidashi botan · call button

mini-scenario #japanesefood

A Hand Reaches for Your Plate in Japan. You Are Not Finished. Beginner ▶

A Hand Reaches for Your Plate in Japan. You Are Not Finished.

mada tabete imasu · I'm still eating.

mini-scenario #japanesefood

Lights On, Staff Inside, Door Unlocked. This Little Sign Still Means Go Away. Survival ▶

Lights On, Staff Inside, Door Unlocked. This Little Sign Still Means Go Away.

junbi-chū · preparing, not open yet

sign_decode #japanesefood

This Sign Means All You Can Eat. The Number Next to It Is a Countdown. Survival ▶

This Sign Means All You Can Eat. The Number Next to It Is a Countdown.

tabehoudai · all you can eat

sign-decode #japanesefood

The Noodles Are Sliding Down a Bamboo Pipe. Nobody Told You the Rules. Beginner ▶

The Noodles Are Sliding Down a Bamboo Pipe. Nobody Told You the Rules.

kore, dō yatte tabemasu ka · How do I eat this?

Food + Language #japanesefood

In Japan, Dinner Gets 50% Cheaper Right Before Closing. You Just Have to Read Two Kanji. Survival ▶

In Japan, Dinner Gets 50% Cheaper Right Before Closing. You Just Have to Read Two Kanji.

hangaku · half price

sign-decode #japanesefood

Everything at a Japanese Izakaya Lands on One Giant Plate. Nobody Tells You to Ask for This. Survival ▶

Everything at a Japanese Izakaya Lands on One Giant Plate. Nobody Tells You to Ask for This.

torizara o kudasai · A small plate, please.

mini-dialogue #japanesefood

That Free Sample Tray in a Japanese Food Hall? Ask Before You Reach. Beginner ▶

That Free Sample Tray in a Japanese Food Hall? Ask Before You Reach.

shishoku dekimasu ka? · Can I try a sample?

shopping #japanesefood

Your Japanese Host Keeps Refilling Your Plate. Say This or It Never Stops. Survival ▶

Your Japanese Host Keeps Refilling Your Plate. Say This or It Never Stops.

onaka ippai desu · I'm full, thank you

Cultural Shock #japanesefood

Handed Natto in Japan? 'I Don't Like It' Is the Wrong Answer. Beginner ▶

Handed Natto in Japan? 'I Don't Like It' Is the Wrong Answer.

chotto nigate desu · It's not really my thing

politeness-nuance #japanesefood

One Day Every July, All of Japan Eats Eel on Purpose. Here's Why. Intermediate ▶

One Day Every July, All of Japan Eats Eel on Purpose. Here's Why.

doyou no ushi no hi · midsummer 'eel day'

culture-explainer #japanesefood

35C at a Japanese Beer Garden? This Is the Only Phrase You Need. Beginner ▶

35C at a Japanese Beer Garden? This Is the Only Phrase You Need.

nama biiru kudasai · A draft beer, please

role-play #japanesefood

Summer Killed Your Appetite but Not the Rice Bowl. One Word Fixes It. Beginner ▶

Summer Killed Your Appetite but Not the Rice Bowl. One Word Fixes It.

gohan sukuname de onegai shimasu · smaller rice portion, please

Mini-Lesson #japanesefood

The Ramen Line Wraps the Block. Ten Minutes or an Hour? Ask This. Beginner ▶

The Ramen Line Wraps the Block. Ten Minutes or an Hour? Ask This.

dono kurai machimasu ka? · how long is the wait?

phrase-drill #japanesefood

Want to Make a Japanese Chef's Whole Day? Say This Mid-Bite Survival ▶

Want to Make a Japanese Chef's Whole Day? Say This Mid-Bite

oishii desu · It's delicious.

reaction-word #japanesefood

Everyone Ordered but You Can't Read the Menu? Just Say 'Same for Me' Survival ▶

Everyone Ordered but You Can't Read the Menu? Just Say 'Same for Me'

onaji de onegai shimasu · The same, please.

order-by-copying #japanesefood

How to Order Hot Snacks at the Konbini Counter Intermediate ▶

How to Order Hot Snacks at the Konbini Counter

kore, kudasai · this one, please

Travel Hack #japanesefood

The Summer Sign That Means 'Order This Now' in Japan Intermediate ▶

The Summer Sign That Means 'Order This Now' in Japan

Hiyashi-chūka, kudasai. · Hiyashi-chūka, please. (cold summer noodles)

Seasonal Food #japanesefood

Japan Hands You a Hot Towel — Don't Use It Wrong Beginner ▶

Japan Hands You a Hot Towel — Don't Use It Wrong

oshibori · wet hand towel

Cultural Wedge #japanesefood

The Ramen Shop Machine That Confuses Every Tourist Intermediate ▶

The Ramen Shop Machine That Confuses Every Tourist

shokken · meal ticket (buy it from the machine first)

Immersive #japanesefood

The Food Paradise Hiding Under Japanese Department Stores Intermediate ▶

The Food Paradise Hiding Under Japanese Department Stores

depachika · department-store basement food hall

Cultural Wedge #japanesefood

What to Order at a Japanese Summer Festival Intermediate ▶

What to Order at a Japanese Summer Festival

takoyaki kudasai · Takoyaki, please

Food + Language #japanesefood

How to Order Gyōza Like You Belong There Intermediate ▶

How to Order Gyōza Like You Belong There

gyōza wo onegaishimasu · Gyōza, please

Food + Language #japanesefood

Why Japanese People Say This Before Every Meal Intermediate ▶

Why Japanese People Say This Before Every Meal

itadakimasu · I gratefully receive (said before eating)

Cultural Wedge #japanesefood

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