Polite to Host
Cultural · Dining
You
おかわりをいただいてもよろしいですか？とても美味しいです。
おかわりをいただいてもよろしいですか？とてもおいしいです。
May I have seconds please? It's absolutely delicious.
Romaji: Okawari o itadaite mo yoroshii desu ka? Totemo oishii desu. / Reply Romaji: Mochiron! Dozo dozo. Ippai aru kara ne.
Reply
もちろん！どうぞどうぞ。いっぱいあるからね。
もちろん！どうぞどうぞ。いっぱいあるからね。
Of course! Please help yourself. There's plenty.
Gesture & etiquette
Hold out your bowl with both hands when asking for more rice or soup — never with one hand. Make eye contact and smile genuinely. After being served, thank the host before eating.
Asking for seconds (okawari) is a strong compliment to the cook in Japan — it signals that the food is so good you cannot stop. Always pair the request with a genuine compliment. In formal kaiseki settings, however, requesting more may not be appropriate; follow the host's lead.