When you walk into a casual ramen shop, katsu spot, or beef bowl restaurant in Japan, you will often find a ticket vending machine sitting right by the entrance. These machines take your order and payment before you even sit down.
While they can look intimidating at first glance, the process is very simple once you know the steps.
The Ordering Sequence
To order your meal, just follow this step-by-step process:
- Put your money in first: Almost all machines require you to insert cash or scan your IC travel card (like Suica or Pasmo) before you can press any buttons. If the buttons do not light up, it usually means you need to insert your money first.
- Select your main dish: The largest buttons at the very top of the machine are usually the restaurant’s most popular items or signature dishes.
- Select your toppings or sides: The smaller buttons below the main dishes are typically for extra toppings (like a soft-boiled egg or extra pork slice), side dishes (like gyoza), and drinks.
- Take your ticket and change: Once you press your buttons, press the change lever or button to get your coins back. The machine will print out a small paper ticket for each item you selected.
- Hand the ticket to the staff: Sit down at a counter or table and place your paper tickets on the counter. A staff member will take them, shout your order to the kitchen, and bring your food directly to you when it is ready.
Helpful Tips for Beginners
- Look for photos or English text: Many modern machines have a button at the top right of the screen that switches the language to English. If it is an older machine with only physical buttons, look at the wall or a plastic menu next to the machine. These menus usually have pictures with numbers that match the buttons on the machine.
- Match the characters: If there are no pictures at all, you can use a translation app on your phone to scan the machine, or simply match the Japanese characters on the wall menu to the correct button.
- Customize your meal: For dishes like ramen, the staff might ask you questions when they take your ticket. They are usually asking how you want your noodles cooked or how strong you want the broth. Just point to a cheat sheet on the counter if they have one.
