If a ramen shop has a meal ticket machine, you will usually buy a ticket before sitting down and then hand it to staff. But check how the line works first. Buying a ticket and joining the line are separate steps, and the shop’s own instructions come first.
The machine can feel intimidating with people waiting behind you. A little preparation helps: look over the menu, check how you can pay and know how to ask for help before you press any buttons.
First, check whether the shop uses tickets
Sapporo’s official meal-ticket guide describes the machines found near restaurant entrances, especially at ramen shops, and explains how to buy a ticket and hand it to staff. JNTO’s ramen guide also notes that some restaurants take orders directly instead.
If staff invite you to order at your table, there is no need to look for a machine. Watch for signs or ask a staff member. A shop may post a menu outside, use a touch screen inside or take your order in person.
Should you line up or buy the ticket first?
Look for signs about the line before you go to the machine. If it is not clear which comes first, ask: “Should I buy a ticket first?” You can also show this sentence in Japanese: 「先に食券を買いますか？」
Do not walk past people waiting in line just because the machine is inside. Staff can tell you whether to buy now or wait. If you have children or a stroller with you, ask about seating and space before buying several tickets.
A busy walk-in ramen shop may work differently from the restaurants in our reservation guide. Check how each shop works rather than assuming every restaurant takes reservations.
Using the machine step by step
First, check which payment methods are shown on the machine. If it takes cash, check which coins and bills it accepts. On a touch screen, look for a language option, but do not count on there being one.
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1. Choose | Find the main dish and check the size and price |
| 2. Pay | Follow the machine’s prompts; some cash machines need money inserted before you choose |
| 3. Collect | Take all your printed tickets and any change |
| 4. Order | Hand your tickets to staff when asked |
| 5. Sit | Follow the seating instructions rather than taking a seat that is occupied or reserved |
On older machines, you may need to press a separate change or refund button to get your change. Check the tray before you walk away. If nothing happens or a ticket does not print, ask staff before paying again.
Keep your ticket handy. It is how you place your order; paying at the machine alone does not tell the kitchen where you are sitting or complete the process at every shop.
What do common Japanese labels mean?
| Japanese | What it means |
|---|---|
| 食券 | Meal ticket |
| 味噌 / みそ | Miso |
| 塩 / しお | Shio (salt) |
| 醤油 / しょうゆ | Shoyu (soy sauce) |
| 大盛 | Large portion |
| トッピング | Topping |
| 売切 / 売り切れ | Sold out |
| おつり / 釣銭 | Change |
These translations are to help you find the right button; they do not describe every ingredient. Check whether a button is for a full bowl, a larger portion or an extra topping. If several prices look similar, pause and ask which one matches the photo on the menu.
A camera translation app can help with labels, but machines may use shortened dish names. Take time to compare the translation with the menu. Rather than guessing, point to the dish and ask, “Which button is for this?”
What if you have dietary restrictions or are ordering for a child?
Ask about your needs before you pay. The name of a soup or a photo does not tell you everything about the broth, toppings or how the dish is prepared. If you need ingredient or allergy information, ask the restaurant directly; this guide to the buttons cannot tell you whether a dish is suitable for you.
For a child, check portion sizes, whether sharing is allowed and whether the seating works for your group. Do not assume every shop has children’s bowls, children’s chairs or room for a stroller. If you need any of these, contact the shop before building your day around it.
What happens after you give staff the ticket?
Answer any questions staff ask about your order, and follow the shop’s seating instructions. If you bought tickets for an extra topping or a drink, hand those over too. If you pressed the wrong button, tell staff right away; whether you can get a refund or switch your order depends on the shop.
At self-service restaurants, you may hand in your ticket at a kitchen counter instead of at your seat. The tourism guide mentions this at places such as ski-area restaurants. Follow the instructions at each place rather than expecting every restaurant to work like a ramen shop.
Do you have to slurp or finish all the soup?
JNTO explains that slurping noodles is acceptable and that it is fine to leave some soup. You do not have to slurp if it makes you uncomfortable. Eat at your own pace, but if people are waiting, be considerate and do not linger at your seat after you finish.
On a winter outing, plan how you will get to the shop and what you will do if the line is outdoors. Our underground walkway guide and winter footwear guide can help with getting there. A hot bowl of ramen at the end will not make the wait outside any shorter.
Information checked on October 8, 2026. Shops and machines vary, so follow each restaurant’s current instructions.
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