You've entered and found your own seat. The delicious smells coming from the kitchen make you anticipate the meal to come all the more as you wait for the waiter. You wait, wait some more, and then wait a little bit after that. Surprisingly you've still had no contact with the staff! What's going on?
A lone man enjoying his rice bowl seems to be glancing at you occasionally. Not entirely odd, you've got two young children that enjoy making some noise. Considering moving on to find a new place for lunch before dinner you make eye contact and he asks "Have you ordered yet?". Why no, you have not! You're then introduced to the novelty of food ticket machines.
Yup, it happens. Hopefully not too often. I'm sure you can guess which part I played in that. Rice bowls are delicious! And this was one of the best I had while in Japan. Moral of the story is to check around before you enter or after you enter a place to eat. Sometimes you'll find these machines right next to the entrance. Which I most often saw in a high traffic area such as the train platforms (those were usually stand and eat ramen booths). And in the case of the above story, just after you entered. Also the really awesome ramen shop I went to with Yoko also had a ticket machine for ordering your food. The food courts at Fuji-Q and some Yoshinoya (a Japanese fast food chain) operate in this fashion.
Well, they're pretty easy actually! Unless they don't have pictures and you can't read Japanese... then of course it is really hard. But it's pretty common to have pictures on the majority of the machines I encountered. Some also had a laminated menu with pictures and names of the items corresponding to the numbers on the machine. Quick steps to deliciousness.
- Enter restaurant and approach machine.
- If it has pictures on the buttons life is likely going to be easier for you. Commence your normal browsing of things you ca't read and rely on those nice pictures they've put up.
If there are no pictures on the items but everything has a number next to the text. Start looking around for a menu. In the larger cities it wouldn't be overly surprising to find a menu in English that you can use. If you don't see one but are feeling bold. Ask for the menu or help with the translation. Just because it's a ticket machine doesn't mean the food isn't any good. Take it as a sign that they would rather spend more time making your food delicious than taking your order. - Got your food in mind and ready to order? Awesome! Insert your money and watch that yen tick up showing that you've put money in. You can now press as many buttons as you like till you're out of money.
Do note that some of the options, in my experience the ones without images, are modifications or additions to what you can get. Getting some ramen and want an extra bit of pork? You can do that! Don't be afraid to give new things a try. - You'll notice after every button you pressed a tiny bit of paper was shot out into a little tray. This is what all your hard work has produced. Make sure to pick up your paper and change after hitting the coin return button. Then make your way over to the helpful waiting staff and give them your papers. Sometimes you'll just go sit down and place it on your table. Then wait!
- Eat!
Doesn't that look so good? If it doesn't you should know that it was! I should have gotten seconds. - Based on that last thought. Repeat steps 1-5. You're on vacation, have some fun! .
Why are they around?
From an outsider's (my) view. It would be to help streamline the process. You don't have to call a waiter, you don't have to go through the menu flipping back and forth to show what you want, and it's easier for the restaurant to handle all the transactions. You've already got your change after you get your tickets!
Why should I bother? It might be hard.
Of course it might be, but that doesn't mean it isn't rewarding. You're not at home. I'm guessing you're not because you wanted to experience something new. So try something new. In my opinion the worst thing you can do while exploring the world is not try something because it might be hard or awkward. If it's dangerous... sure skip it. But ordering food isn't dangerous unless you're ordering puffer fish from a place that shouldn't be serving it. Food is a great way to experience something local. Give it a shot! You can do it!
I believe in you!
Plus look, you can get something like this.
