How do you use a ramen ticket machine in Japan with no English?
Approach the machine, insert money, press the lit button for your bowl type, take your ticket and change, then hand the ticket to a staff member after sitting down. Lit buttons are available; unlit means sold out. Scan the machine with ChefBear before inserting any money if you are unsure.
Many of Japan's most beloved ramen shops — including some of the ones with long queues outside — use a 食券機 (shokken-ki), a ticket vending machine at the entrance. You pay before you eat, buy a printed meal ticket, and hand it to the cook at the counter. The system is efficient and reduces language barriers for the kitchen, but it can feel intimidating when you are facing a wall of Japanese buttons for the first time and there is a queue forming behind you.
The good news: the layout is predictable, the vocabulary is small, and the machine usually only takes about thirty seconds once you know what to look for. This guide walks through the entire process step by step, with the vocabulary table you need to decode any button on the machine.
Step-by-step: how to use the machine
- Scan the machine before you join the queue. The best time to study the machine is before it is your turn. Walk up, take a photo with your phone, and use it to decide what you want. If you have ChefBear open, scan the machine face — it will identify the dish names and give you descriptions before you need to decide.
- Identify the main broth buttons. These are usually the largest, most prominent buttons and sit at the top left of the machine. The shop's signature bowl — tonkotsu, shoyu, miso, or shio — is typically the first or most prominent button. The machine usually shows only the broth type, implying a standard topping set.
- Check which buttons are lit. Lit (illuminated) buttons are available. Unlit or greyed-out buttons are sold out. If the bowl you wanted is unavailable, the lit button closest to it is the safest alternative. Do not press an unlit button; most machines will not allow it, but some older machines will take your money and do nothing.
- Insert money. Most machines accept ¥100 and ¥500 coins and ¥1,000 banknotes. Some accept ¥5,000 and ¥10,000 notes; look for a slot label showing accepted denominations. Insert money before pressing any buttons. The display will show the amount inserted and the amount remaining needed.
- Press your bowl choice first, then add-ons. Press the main bowl button first. The machine deducts the price. If you want add-ons (extra chashu, a soft-boiled egg, a larger portion), press those buttons next. Each deducts from your running total. The machine will give change automatically after printing your tickets.
- Collect your tickets and change. The machine prints one ticket per item and returns change in a tray at the bottom. Count your change before moving away. Some machines beep and return all money if you do not make a selection within a set time — just reinsert.
- Find a seat and hand over the tickets. Most ticket-machine ramen shops are counter-only. Sit at an open counter spot and place your tickets face-up in front of you or hand them directly to the cook who approaches. If you have a topping preference (noodle firmness, broth richness, portion of fat — common at tonkotsu shops), you will be asked verbally or via a small paper slip after sitting down.
Common button vocabulary
| Japanese | Romaji | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 醤油 | shoyu | Soy-sauce broth — savory, slightly sweet, brown |
| 味噌 | miso | Fermented soybean paste broth — earthy, rich, hearty |
| 塩 | shio | Salt broth — clear, delicate, light golden color |
| 豚骨 | tonkotsu | Pork bone broth — cloudy white, rich, creamy, strong umami |
| 大盛 | oomori | Large portion (extra noodles) |
| 並 | nami | Regular / standard portion |
| チャーシュー追加 | chaashuu tsuika | Extra chashu pork (braised pork belly or shoulder slices) |
| 半熟卵 | hanjuku tamago | Soft-boiled seasoned egg add-on |
| 全部のせ | zenbu nose | All toppings (everything topping combo) |
Additional buttons you may see
| Japanese | Romaji | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 替え玉 | kaedama | Extra noodle refill (popular at tonkotsu shops); order when your bowl is almost done |
| ライス | raisu | Rice (a side of steamed white rice) |
| 餃子 | gyoza | Pan-fried dumplings (a popular side dish at ramen shops) |
| 返却 | henkyaku | Return / cancel — press to get your money back before confirming |
| お釣り | otsuri | Change — indicates the coin return tray |
Practical notes
- Bring coins and ¥1,000 notes. Many machines at smaller shops do not accept large banknotes. Having ¥100 and ¥500 coins simplifies the process and means you get less change to manage. Standard ramen bowls typically cost between ¥800 and ¥1,500.
- Scan the machine before inserting money. You cannot take your money back once a ticket has printed. Use ChefBear to identify the buttons you want before you approach. Take a photo of the machine face from a few steps away while others are ordering ahead of you.
- Lit buttons = available; unlit = sold out. This is the single most important rule at a ticket machine. The kanji 光る (hikaru, glowing) is sometimes printed on machines to explain this, but the visual state of the button makes it obvious once you know to look. Popular bowls sell out in the evening at high-demand shops.
- Staff are patient with foreign visitors. Japanese hospitality (omotenashi) means staff at ramen shops are generally accustomed to helping confused tourists. If you are struggling, hold up the cash, gesture at the machine, and smile — someone will often come and help you navigate it.
- Some machines let you customize after the ticket. Tonkotsu shops in particular often ask you to fill in a small slip of paper at the counter specifying noodle firmness (麺の硬さ: かため firm / ふつう normal / やわらかめ soft), broth richness (濃さ), and fat level (脂). These choices come after you have already paid and sat down, so the ticket machine is only the first step.
Frequently asked questions
What do the buttons mean on a Japanese ramen ticket machine?
The most common buttons are: 醤油ラーメン (shoyu ramen, soy-sauce broth), 味噌ラーメン (miso ramen), 塩ラーメン (shio ramen, salt broth), 豚骨ラーメン (tonkotsu, pork bone broth), 大盛 (oomori, large portion), 並 (nami, regular portion), チャーシュー追加 (extra chashu pork), 半熟卵 (soft-boiled egg add-on), and 全部のせ (zenbu nose, everything topping). Lit buttons are available; unlit buttons are sold out.
Do you pay before or after at a ramen restaurant in Japan?
At ticket-machine ramen shops (食券制, shokken-sei), you pay before sitting down. Insert money, press your button, collect your ticket and change, then find a seat and hand the ticket to staff. At counter-service and table-service ramen shops that do not use a ticket machine, you typically pay after eating.
What if I press the wrong button on a ramen ticket machine?
Most ticket machines have a 返却 (henkyaku, return/cancel) button. Press it before confirming your selection to get your money back. If the ticket has already printed, show it to a staff member — most shops will exchange it, especially for a foreign visitor.
Can you pay by credit card at a Japanese ramen ticket machine?
Most traditional ramen ticket machines accept cash only. Newer machines at chain shops may accept IC cards (Suica, Pasmo) or credit cards. Bring at least ¥1,500 in cash when visiting any ramen shop that uses a ticket machine.
What does 光る mean on a ramen ticket machine?
光る (hikaru) means "lit up" or "glowing." On ticket machines, lit (illuminated) buttons indicate that item is available. Unlit or greyed-out buttons mean that item is sold out for the day. Always press a lit button.
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- How to read a Japanese menu