If you really want to try a local / hole in the wall style Yakitori place – then don’t let the lack of English menu (especially outside of the major cities) deter you.
Please note that most hole-in-the-wall style yakitori places are not suitable for children (smoky and not a space designed for families.) Use the search function on my blog using the word “Yakitori” for restaurants that do serve yakitori and are family-friendly.
Firstly, I recommend going in and asking for a “Nama-beeru” (a draught beer) or 生ビールif you just wanted to hold this up and point.
Other standard menu items you can order. …
-“Remon Sawaa” (a Lemon Sour) レモンサワー (this is a simple cocktail made with soda water, lemon juice or flavouring and shochu)
“Negima” (chicken skewers with scallions) ねぎま
”Seseri“(skewers with meat from the neck of the chicken) せせり
”Kimo” (chicken liver skewers)
”Shishito“(small green peppers on skewers) ししとう
“Shiitake” (shiitake mushrooms on skewers) 椎茸
“Butabara” (fatty pork belly on skewers) 豚バラ
”Sunasuri” (chicken gizzard skewers) 砂すり
“Hatsumoto” (chicken hearts on skewers) はつ元
And if you find the sauces or condiments overwhelming, you can also say tabekata oshiette kudasai (please show me how to eat this) 食べ方教えてください
And if you wanted to show off a bit you can say the item above that you want and then say “….. ippon kudasai“. (one “stick of” …….. please.)* The order in Japanese is different. The noun/item you want, in this instance, comes first in the sentence – which is actually super handy as a non-native speaker as the most important part of your sentence is put right out there first.
If you, like me, nerd out on the language stuff – you might like my tips on how to get talking in Japanese as soon as possible.
