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Restaurant Service Operations (Basic Actions, Japanese & Western Serving, Food Allergies & Terminology)

Accommodation (Hotel) · 宿泊分野 · Written by Tokutei Pass based on the official study texts; not copied verbatim.

Basic Restaurant Service Actions, How to Make a Good Smile, and Welcoming Guests

In restaurants and dining venues within accommodation facilities, bright greetings and polite basic movements are essential so that guests can enjoy their meals deliciously and comfortably.

The key points for creating a 'good smile' during customer service are 'lifting both corners of your mouth (Kuchi no ryohaji o ageru)' and 'gently lowering the outer corners of your eyes (Mejiri o sageru)'. A natural, warm smile brightens the atmosphere of the restaurant.

When guests arrive at the restaurant, welcome them with 'Irasshaimase', confirm the reservation name, number of guests, and seating preferences (such as non-smoking or smoking), then politely guide them to their table and pull out the chair to offer them a seat.

When approaching or leaving the table of guests who are dining, say 'Shitsurei itashimasu' with a light bow (Eshaku, about 15 degrees); when guests leave, see them off with 'Arigato gozaimashita' and a deep bow (Saikeirei, about 45 degrees).

Key points


  • The key points to making a good smile are 'lifting both corners of the mouth' and 'lowering the outer corners of the eyes'.

  • When guests arrive, welcome them with 'Irasshaimase', confirm the party size and preferences, and guide them to their table.

  • When approaching or leaving a dining table, say 'Shitsurei shimasu' and perform a light bow (Eshaku, about 15°).
WordMeaning
lifting both corners of the mouth
lowering the outer corners of the eyes
guiding guests to their seats
welcoming and seeing off guests

Restaurant Staff Uniform and Grooming (Strict Hygiene Requirements)

For restaurant staff who directly handle food and beverages, clean attire and proper grooming are top priorities directly linked to 'hygiene management (preventing foreign object contamination and food poisoning)'.

To prevent hair from falling into dishes, always keep hair clean, and securely tie back long hair using hairpins, elastic bands, hairbands, or hairnets. Male staff must shave their facial hair every day.

Wash and sanitize hands and fingers frequently, and keep fingernails trimmed short at all times. Nail polish (manicure) and nail art are strictly prohibited because chipped pieces could fall into the food.

Furthermore, do not wear 'perfume (Kosui)' because it interferes with the delicate aroma of the food. Jewelry and accessories such as rings, wristwatches, and large earrings must also be removed for hygiene reasons and to prevent scratching tableware.

Key points


  • Tie back long hair securely with a hairnet, hairband, or elastic, and male staff must shave daily.

  • Keep fingernails cut short; nail polish and nail art are prohibited to prevent foreign matter contamination.

  • Do not wear 'perfume' that spoils the aroma of food, or jewelry such as rings that pose hygiene issues.
WordMeaning
hairnet and hairband
prohibition of nail art and manicure
perfume and jewelry / accessories
preventing foreign object contamination

Taking Orders (Order-Take) and Proper Handling of Glasses and Plates

Once guests are seated, serve water (or tea), wet hand towels (oshibori), and menus. When a guest signals they are ready to order, approach promptly and always 'repeat back (Fukusho)' the order details to prevent mistakes.

When carrying or serving cups or glasses containing water or beverages, always hold 'below the halfway point of the cup or glass (Koppu no hanbun yori shita)' so your fingers never touch the upper rim where the guest's mouth touches.

When holding a plate with food, support the underside of the rim so your thumb does not enter the inside of the plate or leave fingerprints, and place the plate down quietly with the front of the dish facing the customer.

When clearing plates after a guest has finished eating (bussing), never remove them silently; always ask first by saying 'O-sage shitemo yoroshii desho ka (May I clear your plate?)' or 'Shitsurei itashimasu' before quietly clearing.

Taking Orders (Order-Take) and Proper Handling of Glasses and Plates

Key points


  • When taking an order, always 'repeat back (Fukusho)' the order details to prevent misunderstandings.

  • When holding a beverage cup or glass, always hold 'below the halfway point of the glass' for hygiene reasons.

  • Hold plates without putting fingers or fingerprints inside the rim, and serve with the front of the dish facing the guest.
WordMeaning
taking customer orders (Order-take)
holding below the halfway point of a cup/glass
front orientation of a dish
clearing empty plates (Bussing)

Characteristics of Japanese Cuisine (Washoku) and 'Ichiju-Sansai' Table Layout

A major characteristic of Japanese cuisine (Washoku) is cherishing the changing of the 'four seasons (Shiki: spring, summer, autumn, winter)' and making the most of 'seasonal ingredients (Shun no shokuzai)' when they are most delicious and nutritious.

In addition, 'Chisan-chisho (local production for local consumption)'—consuming fresh agricultural and marine products harvested in the local area—is a major attraction of meals served at ryokans and hotels.

'Ichiju-sansai (One soup, three dishes)', the basic menu structure of Washoku, is a nutritionally balanced meal format combining 'rice (staple food)' and '1 soup (Shirumono)' with 3 side dishes: '1 main dish (Shusai)' and '2 side dishes (Fukusai)' (pickles / Ko-no-mono are not counted in the three).

The correct serving layout for Ichiju-sansai from the guest's perspective is: 'rice at the front left', 'soup at the front right', 'main dish (grilled fish or meat) at the rear right', 'side dishes (simmered or dressed vegetables) at the rear left and center', and 'chopsticks placed horizontally at the very front (tips pointing left)'.

Key points


  • Washoku emphasizes expressing the 'four seasons (Shiki)', peak seasonal ingredients ('Shun'), and using local ingredients ('Chisan-chisho').

  • 'Ichiju-sansai' is the basic Washoku meal consisting of rice + 1 soup + 3 dishes (1 main dish, 2 side dishes).

  • Layout from the guest's perspective: 'Front left = Rice', 'Front right = Soup', 'Rear left = Side dish', 'Rear right = Main dish'.
WordMeaning
seasonal ingredients at their peak (Shun)
local production for local consumption (Chisan-chisho)
one soup and three dishes (Ichiju-sansai)
rice at front left, soup at front right

Nine-Step Serving Order of Kaiseki Ryori (Japanese Course Meal)

For dinner at Japanese ryokans and hotels, 'Kaiseki ryori'—a multi-course meal enjoyed sequentially alongside alcohol—is widely served. You must accurately memorize its basic 9-step serving sequence.

First serve '(1) Zensai (Sakizuke: small appetizer portions enjoyed with drinks)', followed by '(2) Wanmori (Suimono: clear soup served in a lidded bowl)', and then '(3) O-tsukuri (Mukozuke: sashimi of fresh seasonal seafood)'.

Next, serve in order: '(4) Yakimono (grilled fish or meat dish)', '(5) Nimono (Takiawase: simmered vegetables, fish, etc.)', '(6) Agemono (deep-fried dishes such as tempura or karaage)', and '(7) Su-no-mono (refreshing vinegared dish to cleanse the palate)'.

Then, to conclude the meal, serve '(8) Gohan (rice), Ko-no-mono (pickles), and Tome-wan (miso soup)', and finally serve '(9) Mizugashi (seasonal fruits or sweet dessert)' along with green tea.

Key points


  • The first part of Kaiseki is served in the order: '(1) Zensai (Appetizer) -> (2) Wanmori (Clear soup) -> (3) O-tsukuri (Sashimi)'.

  • The middle cooking progression is: '(4) Yakimono (Grilled) -> (5) Nimono (Simmered) -> (6) Agemono (Fried) -> (7) Su-no-mono (Vinegared)'.

  • The meal concludes with: '(8) Rice & Ko-no-mono (pickles) -> (9) Mizugashi (fruits / dessert)'.
WordMeaning
Japanese multi-course banquet cuisine (Kaiseki ryori)
clear soup in a bowl (Wanmori / Suimono) and sashimi (O-tsukuri)
Japanese pickles served with rice (Ko-no-mono)
seasonal fruit / dessert at the end of a Japanese meal (Mizugashi)

Serving Order of Western Full Course Meals, Silverware, and Serving Rules

The basic serving order of a Western full course meal is: '(1) Hors d'oeuvre (Appetizer) -> (2) Soup -> (3) Fish dish (Poisson) -> (4) Sorbet (palate-cleansing sherbet) -> (5) Meat dish (Main dish) -> (6) Dessert & Coffee (or black tea)' (bread is served from after the soup until the meat dish).

On a Western dining table, knives, forks, and spoons (Silver / Cutlery) are lined up on the left and right sides of the plate, and guests use them 'in order from the outermost utensils inward toward the plate'.

As a fundamental rule of Western table service, plated 'food dishes are served from the customer's left side', whereas 'beverages (such as wine and water) and soup are served from the customer's right side'.

Regarding knife and fork signals on the plate: if placed in an inverted V shape ('Ha no ji'), it signals 'still eating (do not clear the plate yet)'; if placed 'neatly together at the bottom right of the plate (around the 4 to 5 o'clock position)', it signals 'finished eating (ready to be cleared)'.

Serving Order of Western Full Course Meals, Silverware, and Serving Rules

Key points


  • Western course order: '(1) Hors d'oeuvre -> (2) Soup -> (3) Fish dish -> (4) Sorbet -> (5) Meat dish -> (6) Dessert & Coffee'.

  • Silverware (knives and forks) is used from the outside in; serve food from the guest's 'left' and drinks from the 'right'.

  • Knife and fork in an inverted V ('Ha no ji') shape means still eating; placed together at the 'bottom right' means finished eating.
WordMeaning
appetizer (Hors d'oeuvre) and palate-cleansing sherbet (Sorbet)
using cutlery from the outside inward
serving food from the left, beverages from the right
knife and fork placement signals

Food Allergies, Religious Dietary Considerations, Hygiene, and Opening/Closing Work

If a guest with a food allergy ingests a causative ingredient (allergen), there is a risk of triggering life-threatening 'anaphylaxis shock', causing difficulty breathing, a drop in blood pressure, or loss of consciousness.

Therefore, accurately confirm any allergies and specific ingredients in advance or when taking orders, and share the information among the kitchen and all service staff. Never answer 'it is not included' based on your own personal judgment.

In addition, to accommodate diverse guests, it is important to understand and respect 'Halal cuisine' (prepared according to Islamic law without any pork or alcohol) and 'Vegetarians' (who do not eat meat or fish).

In hygiene management and opening/closing tasks, clean and sanitize tables and chairs, replenish caster sets, and when storing ingredients to prevent food poisoning, 'keep raw meat and raw fish separated from other ingredients in refrigerated or frozen storage'.

Food Allergies, Religious Dietary Considerations, Hygiene, and Opening/Closing Work

Key points


  • Food allergies can cause life-threatening 'anaphylaxis shock' and must be shared across the kitchen and all staff.

  • Understand dietary needs based on religion or belief, such as 'Halal' for Muslims and 'Vegetarian' for non-meat eaters.

  • To prevent food poisoning (cross-contamination), 'store raw meat and raw fish separately in the refrigerator or freezer'.
WordMeaning
food allergy (Shokumotsu allergy)
anaphylaxis shock
Halal and Vegetarian diets
separating raw meat/fish for refrigerated or frozen storage

Essential Restaurant Terminology (Silver, Caster Set, Buffet, A La Carte, etc.)

Technical terms used in restaurants appear frequently on the exam. 'Silver (Cutlery)' refers to metal tableware such as knives, forks, and spoons, while 'Caster set' refers to the tabletop set of seasoning containers such as salt, pepper, and soy sauce.

'Haizen' means arranging and serving dishes and tableware to guests; 'Catering' is a service that travels to a designated venue or outdoor location to prepare and serve food; 'Welcome drink' is a complimentary beverage served upon arrival.

'Buffet (Viking)' is a style where guests freely serve themselves from displayed dishes; 'A la carte' is ordering individual dishes of one's choice from the menu rather than a set course; 'Main dish' is the central main course dish.

Additionally, a 'Sommelier' is a specialist with expert knowledge of wine and beverages who advises and serves guests, and 'Takeout' means packing food into containers to take outside the restaurant or back to a guest room.

Key points


  • 'Silver' refers to knives, forks, and spoons; 'Caster set' is the tabletop seasoning container set (salt, pepper, etc.).

  • 'Buffet' is a self-service dining style; 'A la carte' means ordering dishes individually from the menu.

  • 'Sommelier' is a wine specialist, 'Catering' is off-site food service, and 'Takeout' is food to go.
WordMeaning
metal cutlery / silverware (Silver)
tabletop seasoning container set (Caster set)
buffet dining and a la carte dishes
wine specialist (Sommelier) and off-site catering

Frequently Tested Points and Memory Tips

In basic movements and hygiene, statements such as 'Smile = lift both corners of the mouth and lower the outer corners of the eyes', 'Hold a glass below the halfway point', 'Store raw meat and fish separately in the refrigerator/freezer', and 'No nail art, perfume, or rings' are tested directly in True/False questions.

For the Japanese 'Ichiju-sansai' layout: 'Front left = Rice, Front right = Soup, Rear left = Side dish, Rear right = Main dish'. Firmly remember 'Rice on the left, Soup on the right'.

The 9-step Kaiseki sequence '(1) Zensai -> (2) Wanmori (Suimono) -> (3) O-tsukuri -> (4) Yakimono -> (5) Nimono -> (6) Agemono -> (7) Su-no-mono -> (8) Rice & Ko-no-mono -> (9) Mizugashi' and the 6-step Western course '(1) Hors d'oeuvre -> (2) Soup -> (3) Fish -> (4) Sorbet -> (5) Meat -> (6) Dessert & Coffee' are classic fill-in-the-blank questions.

Matching questions for restaurant terminology (Silver, Caster set, Buffet, A la carte, Sommelier, Halal, Vegetarian) appear on every exam, so review each definition carefully.

Key points


  • Smile: 'lift both corners of the mouth and lower the outer corners of the eyes'; hold cups/glasses 'below the halfway point'.

  • Ichiju-sansai: 'Front left = Rice, Front right = Soup, Rear left = Side dish, Rear right = Main dish'.

  • Kaiseki: Zensai -> Wanmori -> O-tsukuri -> Yakimono -> Nimono -> Agemono -> Su-no-mono -> Rice & pickles -> Mizugashi.

  • Western Full Course: Hors d'oeuvre -> Soup -> Fish dish -> (Sorbet) -> Meat dish -> Dessert & Coffee.

  • Terms: Silver = metal cutlery, Caster set = tabletop seasonings, A la carte = single dish order, Halal = Islamic dietary food.
WordMeaning
Ichiju-sansai table arrangement
Kaiseki ryori serving sequence
Western full course meal
Silverware and Caster set

Official references

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