If you enjoy food while travelling, tabe-houdai, the Japanese word for “all you can eat” is a word you must know.

Actually, the suffix houdai can be used with various Japanese words to mean “all you can” something. One thing that might be surprising to visitors to Japan is that there are many places that offer “nomi-houdai”, or all you can drink alcohol.

For as little as 2500-3000 yen, some restaurants offer not only all you can eat food, but also all you can drink alcohol. One thing to note is that often these “all you can eat/drink” services have a time constraint, but you can still enjoy without restraint for a full hour or so.

Next time you see a restaurant offering tabe-houdai in Japan, you will know what it means! If you are feeling especially hungry, all you can eats can be really good value for your money! Definitely keep an eye out for them!

Let’s remember the following useful sentences before going to Japan!

===============================

●Onaka ga suiteiru toki wa tabe-houdai ga ichiban desune!
(お腹すいているときは食べ放題が一番ですね!)
> All you can eat restaurants are the best when you are hungry aren’t they!

●Sarada wa tabe-houdai desuyo!
(サラダは食べ放題ですよ！)
> The salad is all you can eat!

===============================

Now all that’s left is to go out there and try using them in Japan!

■■■ Back Number Articles ■■■
Check All Fun! Japan WORDS

Previous Word
Uchiage (打ち上げ) Fun! Japan Words vol.148