Japan Gyudon Ordering: 3 Chains, 3 Ways
The three big gyudon chains each work differently. At Matsuya you buy a ticket at the machine first, at Sukiya you order on a touch panel at your seat, and at Yoshinoya you order at your seat and pay at the register when you leave.
The 24-second video, with Hako. Open on YouTube
The 3 things to know
Matsuya: buy a ticket first
Use the ticket machine at the entrance, which has a language switch at the bottom of the screen (English, Chinese, Korean). Choose eat-in or takeout, pay, take the ticket and sit. Your ticket number appears on the screen above the counter, and you return your tableware yourself.
Sukiya: order on the touch panel
Order on the touch panel at your seat. At some stores staff take the order instead.
Yoshinoya: order at your seat, pay when you leave
Sit anywhere and order from staff or the table tablet, which varies by store. Pay at the register after eating.
Quick answers
Do all gyudon chains use ticket machines?
No. Matsuya uses a ticket machine, Sukiya uses a touch panel at the seat, and Yoshinoya takes your order at your seat and you pay at the register after eating.
Is the red ginger on the counter free?
Yes, you take it yourself. Yoshinoya says its red ginger is a free topping: add the amount you like as long as you finish your food.
Is miso soup free?
Matsuya's English page lists free miso soup with gyumeshi, and secondary sources say this applies to dine-in only, not takeout. Don't assume it is free at the other chains.
Read the video transcript
Eating gyudon, beef bowls, in Japan? Three chains, three ways to order.
One. Matsuya. Buy a ticket at the machine first. You can switch the language.
Two. Sukiya. Order on the touch panel at your seat.
Three. Yoshinoya. Order at your seat, and pay at the register when you leave.
And the red ginger on the counter? Help yourself.
Sources & how we checked
The tips on this page were checked against these official pages:
- matsuyafoods.co.jpMatsuya Foods: How to Order (ticket machine)
- matsuyafoods.co.jpMatsuya Foods: How to Order (self service)
- news.mynavi.jpMynavi: Yoshinoya ordering flow (2024-12-26)
- sukiya.jpSukiya English page
- Updated
- Video
- 24 seconds, made by Ready in Japan
- Good to know
- Rules can vary by place. Follow local signs and staff.
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