When calling for delivery, the telephone conversation might go something like this:
Restaurant: Odenwa arigatou gozaimasu. XXXX de gozaimasu.
(Thank you for calling. This is XXXX.)
You: De-li-ver-y onegai shimasu.
(I would like to order food for delivery.)
Restaurant: Odenwa bangou kara onegai shimasu.
(May I please have your phone number?)
Often your details will be listed in their computer database by phone number.
You: 3333-3333.
Restaurant: 3333-3333 desu ne? (repeating to confirm)
You: Hai . (Yes)
Restaurant: Dewa gojusho onegai shimasu.
(May I have your address?)
You: Hiroo 4-1-10-201
(state the name of your town/neighborhood before all the numbers)
Restaurant: Hiroo 4-1-10-201 desu ne? (repeating to confirm)
Mansion mei wa?
(What’s the name of the apartment?)
You: Castle Hiroo.
Restaurant: Onamae wa?
(Your name?)
You: Smith.
Restaurant: Dewa gochuumon onegai shimasu.
(Please order now).
If the above looks too difficult, you may shorten by saying:
“Delivery onegai shimasu. Denwa 3333-3333, Juusho Hiroo 4-1-10 Castle Hiroo 201,
Namae Smith.”
And then wait to see if they have all of the details.
Tip: When ordering any delivery food with containers to be picked up later, it’s best to leave them in your building’s lobby for easy pickup later. Rinse the container roughly, and place a paper towel over the top bowl if it has no cover. Often you can request disposable containers (tsukai sute youki de onegai shimasu).
Here are a few delivery menus that we’ve come across that have items listed in English. (It’s much easier to order when you can read the name of the item!) Be aware, most places will only deliver within a fairly small radius, so try to find places close to your home. If a shop placed a flyer in your mailbox, you’ll know that you’re within their delivery zone.
Type of food: cutlets (katsu)
Restaurant location & phone: Aoyama 03-3401-6633
Sample menu items: fried pork cutlet (¥950), fried shrimp (¥1,450). All served with rice and shredded cabbage.
Other: English menu with pictures
Type of food: curry
Restaurant location & phone: Aoyama
03-3401-1800
Sample menu items: chicken curry (¥950), cheese curry (¥900), spicy Asian curry (¥1,200). All served with rice, salad and pickles.
Other: English menu with pictures. Also, except for Asian spicy curry, you may choose how spicy you want your food - very sweet, sweet, medium, or spicy.
Type of food: specialty pasta
Restaurant location & phone: Harajuku - 03-5411-3255 and Daikanyama -
03-5428-8499
Sample menu items: Pasta Carbonara (¥2,300), Pasta Pescatore (¥2,800).
Other: English menu with pictures. All pasta servings are 200g and serve 2-3 people.
Type of food: American
Restaurant location & phone: Roppongi 03-5785-3671
Sample menu items: Roti Big Burger (¥1,200), ½ Rotisserie Chicken (¥1,200).
Other: English menu and English speakers at restaurant. Minimum order ¥3,000.
Type of food: Indian
Restaurant location & phone: Meguro
03–3449-0901, Ebisu – 03-3461-6181, Hiroo – 03-444-4446 (see website for additional locations: http://www.tandoor.co.jp)
Sample menu items: tandoori chicken (¥1,700), butter prawn (¥1,800), samosa (¥600).
Other: English menu and English speakers at some locations.
Type of food: Sushi
Restaurant location & phone:Takanawa, 03-5789-0531
Sample Menu Items: Assorted Sahimi with udon bento (¥1050). Family bento of assorted sushi & sashimi, serves 4 (¥4800)
Other: Menu in Japanese only, but items are numbered for easy ordering. Also check out their “roll your own sushi” kit for ¥3800 (serves 2-4 people).
Type of food: Chinese
Restaurant location & phone:
Azabu Juban, 03-3451-0514
Sample menu items: Szechwan style noodles (¥1800) Sweet & sour pork (¥2500 small, ¥3500 large)
Other: English menu. Closed Tuesdays. Excellent food, but pricey!
