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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/ja-how-to-eat

How do you ask 'How do I eat this?' at a Japanese restaurant?

Sumimasen. Kore, doo yatte taberun desu ka. (すみません。これ、どうやって食べるんですか。)

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  1. Sumimasen. Kore, doo yatte taberun desu ka. (すみません。これ、どうやって食べるんですか。) ✔
  2. Sumimasen. Kore, ikura desu ka. (すみません。これ、いくらですか。)
  3. Sumimasen. Kore, nan desu ka. (すみません。これ、何ですか。)

Why: Doo yatte means 'how' and taberu means eat. Staff may tell you to dip it in the sauce. The wrong choices ask the price and what the thing is.

Huh, didn't know that: NHK's staff answer: dip it in the sauce and eat it.

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References

Answer: Sumimasen. Kore, doo yatte taberun desu ka. (すみません。これ、どうやって食べるんですか。). Doo yatte means 'how' and taberu means eat. Staff may tell you to dip it in the sauce. The wrong choices ask the price and what the thing is.

  1. NHK WORLD-JAPAN Easy Japanese, Lesson 47 www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/lesson/en/lessons/47.html
    Sumimasen. Kore, doo yatte taberun desu ka. Excuse me. How do I eat this?
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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