Polite to Host
Cultural · Dining
You
本当においしいですね。こんなに美味しいお料理は久しぶりです。ありがとうございます。
ほんとうにおいしいですね。こんなにおいしいおりょうりはひさしぶりです。ありがとうございます。
This is truly delicious. I haven't had a meal this wonderful in a very long time. Thank you.
Romaji: Hontou ni oishii desu ne. Konna ni oishii oryouri wa hisashiburi desu. Arigatou gozaimasu. / Reply Romaji: Soudesuka? Yorokonde itadaite, ureshii desu.
Reply
そうですか？喜んでいただいて、嬉しいです。
そうですか？よろこんでいただいて、うれしいです。
Really? I'm so glad you're enjoying it.
Gesture & etiquette
Express the compliment while tasting — not after finishing. Let it be genuine and spontaneous. Set down your chopsticks briefly to deliver the compliment — this signals the compliment has your full attention rather than being a passing comment. If you particularly enjoyed one dish, point to it specifically: 'Kore, tokuni oishikatta desu' (This one in particular was especially good).
Expressing enthusiastic food appreciation is one of the most welcome cultural gestures in Japan — it directly honors the host's effort and care. Being specific about what is delicious ('kono ni da no aji ga sugoi' — the flavor of this meat is amazing) is even better than a general compliment. Many Japanese hosts will deflect ('iya iya, taishita koto nai yo') — respond with another sincere compliment.