Polite to Staff
Cultural · Dining
こちらのお店のおすすめは何ですか？よかったら教えていただけますか？ — What do you recommend here? Could you tell me if you have time? (Cultural · Dining, Polite to Staff, JLPT N4)
You
こちらのお店のおすすめは何ですか？よかったら教えていただけますか？
こちらのおみせのおすすめはなんですか？よかったらおしえていただけますか？
What do you recommend here? Could you tell me if you have time?
Romaji: Kochira no omise no osusume wa nan desu ka? Yokattara oshiete itadakemasu ka? / Reply Romaji: Honjitsu no osusume wa [dish] desu. Ninki menyuu mo gozaimasu yo.
Reply
本日のおすすめは〇〇です。人気メニューもございますよ。
ほんじつのおすすめは〇〇です。にんきめにゅーもございますよ。
Today's special is [dish]. We also have a popular menu item.
Gesture & etiquette
Make eye contact when asking; show genuine interest — lean in slightly; don't look at your phone while the staff explains; nod to signal you're following along.
Asking for recommendations (おすすめ) is valued in Japanese food culture — chefs and staff take pride in their specialties; showing genuine interest in the recommendation rather than immediately asking the price is seen as respect for the culinary craft.