Question
I’m planning a trip to Japan and would love to try some authentic Japanese food. However, I am vegetarian and concerned about accidentally ordering dishes with meat or fish. How do I ask, “Does this dish contain meat or fish?” in Japanese?
Japango Editor Team
この料理（りょうり）には肉（にく）や魚（さかな）が入（はい）っていますか。
Kono ryouri ni wa niku ya sakana ga haitteimasu ka?
Does this dish contain meat or fish?
This is a crucial question to ensure that your dietary preferences are respected when dining out in Japan. The word “ryouri” means “dish” and “ni wa” is used to indicate what is included in it. “Niku” means “meat” and “sakana” means “fish”. “Haitteimasu ka?” translates to “is contained” or “is included”.
If you need to be more specific about what you cannot consume, you can replace “niku ya sakana” with specific items such as “bīfu” (beef), “pōku” (pork), or “chikin” (chicken). Understanding these basic phrases can greatly enhance your dining experience in Japan and help avoid any confusion.
