What to say when someone asks you in English what you recommend at a small restaurant
At a small restaurant's counter, a traveler suddenly speaks to you in English. They seem unable to read the menu. What will you do?
The labels "Natural", "Gets across" and "Off track" and the one-line reasons are also written by AI as a rough guide. They are not guaranteed to be correct.
The scenes, directions, shop layouts and dishes are made up for practice. They do not match real places.
Exchange 1 of 4
They
Excuse me. I can't read the menu. What do you recommend?
The first line changes a little with each person
- Emma Sumimasen! I'm studying Japanese, but I can't read this menu yet. What do you recommend?
- Grace Hi! Everything looks so good, but I can't read the menu! What do you recommend?
- Leo Hey, excuse me. I just walked in because it smelled good, but I can't read the menu. What do you recommend?
- James Excuse me, I'm sorry to bother you. I can't read the menu at all. What do you recommend?
Example replies and how they sound
This one.
Gets across This works if you point. Adding the name of the dish makes it easier for them to order.
I recommend the grilled fish set.
Natural This sounds natural. "I recommend ..." is the basic way to suggest something.
Yes, I can read it.
Off track This does not answer the question. They asked what you recommend.
Exchange 2 of 4
They
That sounds good. What comes with it?
Example replies and how they sound
It comes with rice, miso soup, and pickles.
Natural This sounds natural. "It comes with ..." is the usual way to say what is included.
I come here every week.
Off track This does not answer the question. They asked what is included in the set.
Rice and soup.
Gets across This works. It is short. Put "It comes with ..." in front to make a full sentence.
Exchange 3 of 4
They
Nice. Is there any meat in it? I don't eat meat.
Example replies and how they sound
Yes, I love meat.
Off track This does not answer the question. They asked whether there is meat in the set.
I don't think so, but let's ask the staff to be sure.
Natural This sounds natural. When someone cannot eat something, it is kind to check instead of guessing.
No meat, maybe.
Gets across This works, but it is vague. For food someone cannot eat, it is safer to offer to check with the staff.
Exchange 4 of 4
They
Thank you, that's very kind. How do I order?
Example replies and how they sound
Yes, it's delicious.
Off track This does not answer the question. They asked how to order.
Call the staff.
Gets across This works, but it is a command and sounds a little strong. It is kinder to explain how.
Just raise your hand and say "sumimasen."
Natural This sounds natural. "Just ..." makes it sound easy to do.
The closing line
They
Perfect. Thank you so much!
Useful phrases for this scene
- I recommend the grilled fish set.
- It comes with rice, miso soup, and pickles.
- Let's ask the staff to be sure.
- Sorry, I didn't catch that.
The lines were written by AI. They have not been checked by a native English speaker.
The scenes, directions, shop layouts and dishes are made up for practice. They do not match real places.
The notes, the name origins and the characters' personalities were also written by AI. The notes and name origins were compared with dictionaries by AI, but they have not been checked by a native English speaker or a specialist. Some names have more than one explanation of their origin. The people are fictional.
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