Japanese for Dietary Checks: Asking If a Dish Is Vegetarian or Gluten-Free
Learn to ask whether a specific dish is vegetarian or gluten-free in Japanese, and understand common yes/no answers and follow-up questions.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When you eat out in Japan, you often need to check one particular dish rather than explain your whole diet. This lesson teaches you how to ask about a specific dish: 'Is this dish vegetarian?' and 'Is this dish gluten-free?' You will also learn to understand typical replies, including 'yes,' 'no,' 'I will check,' and 'it contains ...'. The focus is on polite, clear questions that work in restaurants, cafes, and food stalls. You will practice with natural Japanese and Hepburn romanization so you can say the phrases confidently and recognize the answers you hear.
By the end, you can…
- ask whether a specific dish is vegetarian in Japanese.
- ask whether a specific dish is gluten-free in Japanese.
- understand simple yes/no answers and follow-up questions about ingredients.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
この料理はベジタリアンですか。
Is this dish vegetarian?
Kono ryōri wa bejitarian desu ka.
Point to the dish or menu item when saying kono. This asks about one specific dish, not your whole diet.
この料理はグルテンフリーですか。
Is this dish gluten-free?
Kono ryōri wa guruten furī desu ka.
Use for checking a single dish. Guruten furī is a loanword; it is understood in many urban restaurants, but staff may not always know exactly what it includes, so asking about komugi (wheat) is a useful follow-up.
肉は入っていますか。
Does it contain meat?
Niku wa haitte imasu ka.
A useful follow-up if the staff seems unsure about 'vegetarian.' It asks about meat specifically.
小麦は入っていますか。
Does it contain wheat?
Komugi wa haitte imasu ka.
For gluten-free checks, wheat is a common concern. This asks directly about wheat as an ingredient.
はい、大丈夫です。
Yes, it's fine.
Hai, daijōbu desu.
A common positive answer. It means the dish is okay for your request, but it is a general reply; confirm specific ingredients if your needs are strict.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is: [dish] wa [dietary term] desu ka. For example, Kono ryōri wa bejitarian desu ka. (Is this dish vegetarian?) and Kono ryōri wa guruten furī desu ka. (Is this dish gluten-free?) The particle wa marks the topic, and desu ka makes it a polite question. To ask about ingredients, use [ingredient] wa haitte imasu ka. For example, Niku wa haitte imasu ka. (Does it contain meat?) and Komugi wa haitte imasu ka. (Does it contain wheat?) These patterns keep the question focused on one dish or one ingredient.
When to use it
Use these questions when you are ordering or pointing at a specific dish on a menu. If you need to explain your whole diet, that is a different conversation; here, stay specific. For example, say Kono ryōri wa bejitarian desu ka. while pointing to the dish. If the staff looks unsure, follow up with Niku wa haitte imasu ka. For gluten-free, ask Kono ryōri wa guruten furī desu ka. and then Komugi wa haitte imasu ka. In casual settings, you may hear Bejitarian? with rising intonation, but the polite desu ka form is safest for restaurants.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
すみません、この料理はベジタリアンですか。
Excuse me, is this dish vegetarian?Sumimasen, kono ryōri wa bejitarian desu ka.はい、ベジタリアンです。肉は入っていません。
Yes, it is vegetarian. It does not contain meat.Hai, bejitarian desu. Niku wa haitte imasen.この料理はグルテンフリーですか。
Is this dish gluten-free?Kono ryōri wa guruten furī desu ka.すみません、小麦は入っています。
I'm sorry, it contains wheat.Sumimasen, komugi wa haitte imasu.A little context goes a long way
In Japan, 'vegetarian' and 'gluten-free' may not be universally understood in the same way as in your home country. Staff often focus on visible meat or fish, and dashi (stock) may contain fish even in vegetable dishes. It is polite to ask specific ingredient questions rather than assume. If you have severe allergies, say arerugī ga arimasu (I have an allergy) and show a written note. Politeness matters: use sumimasen to get attention and desu ka for questions.
One thing to watch for
Using watashi wa bejitarian desu ka. to ask if a dish is vegetarian.
Try this instead: Watashi wa bejitarian desu ka. means 'Am I vegetarian?' To ask about a dish, say Kono ryōri wa bejitarian desu ka. Use kono ryōri (this dish) as the topic, not watashi (I).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'Is this dish gluten-free?' in polite Japanese?
Show a sample answer
この料理はグルテンフリーですか。 (Kono ryōri wa guruten furī desu ka.)
This uses kono ryōri (this dish) + wa + guruten furī + desu ka. It is the standard polite question for one dish. You could also point and say Kore wa guruten furī desu ka., which is slightly less formal but still understandable.
2You asked if a dish is vegetarian, and the staff says はい、大丈夫です。 What does this mean, and what should you check next?
Show a sample answer
It means 'Yes, it's fine.' You can check Niku wa haitte imasu ka. (Does it contain meat?) or Sakana wa haitte imasu ka. (Does it contain fish?)
Daijōbu desu is a positive but general answer. If your diet is strict, confirm specific ingredients like meat, fish, or dashi. Asking about fish is useful because dashi often contains fish.
3How do you ask 'Does it contain wheat?' in Japanese?
Show a sample answer
小麦は入っていますか。 (Komugi wa haitte imasu ka.)
This pattern uses [ingredient] wa haitte imasu ka. Komugi means wheat. You can replace komugi with niku (meat), sakana (fish), or tamago (egg) to ask about other ingredients.
To check a specific dish, point and ask Kono ryōri wa bejitarian desu ka. or Kono ryōri wa guruten furī desu ka. Follow up with Niku wa haitte imasu ka. or Komugi wa haitte imasu ka. for clarity.
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