こんにちは、AJ’s Talk Roomへようこそ！

今日は、ニューヨークからのゲスト、アナさんと一緒に、私が取り組んでいる画期的な英語対応のスマート音声メニューについてお話しします。

現在、この新しいシステムを日本全国に広めることを目指しています。実現すれば、"Eng Menu" と記載されたQRコードが、多くの飲食店のメニューや看板に表示されるでしょう。これは「英語の音声メニューが利用できます」という目印であり、訪日外国人にとって、どの料理を選ぶか迷ったり、いざ決めようとすると不安になったりする状況を解消するだけでなく、日本の食文化をより深く理解し、満足度の高い食体験を楽しむきっかけにもなると期待されます。

"Eng Menu" と表示された QR コードをスマホでスキャンすると、ボイスメニュー、つまり英語でメニューを説明する音声ガイドを聞ける仕組みです。まずは、簡単な英語の音声ファイルをお聞きください。

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Welcome to AJ’s Ramen! Wondering what to order? No worries!

At AJ’s Ramen, we offer three classic flavors: Shoyu, Miso, and Shio—each with its own unique taste and character!

Shoyu ramen features a savory soy sauce-based broth, delivering a rich yet well-balanced flavor. Miso ramen is bold and hearty, packed with deep umami from fermented soybean paste. And Shio ramen is light and delicate, highlighting the pure essence of its ingredients.

We carefully select toppings to complement our signature broth, made from a blend of chicken, pork bones, and seafood. Plus, you can customize your ramen—choosing noodle firmness, adding extra toppings, or adjusting spice levels to your preference.

Want to know more? Check out the individual menu for details!

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AJ:
How was the VoiceOver, Anna? I’m so glad to have you here today. I’ve been really looking forward to sharing this idea with you!

Anna: Thank you, AJ! I have to admit, I didn’t catch much from your opening in Japanese… but the English VoiceOver was eye-opening! I’m excited to hear more!

AJ:
All right, Anna. I’m working to promote an English VoiceMenu system here in Japan. The goal is simple—to help international travelers feel more comfortable and truly enjoy Japanese cuisine.

But beyond that, I hope that for visitors, coming to Japan isn’t just about seeing the sights and moving on but about gaining a deeper understanding and truly appreciating the charm of Japanese culture.

And food is one of the most accessible and immersive ways to connect with culture. My hope is that it leads to richer, more memorable travel experiences.

Anna:
That sounds fantastic, AJ! I’m really curious about this new menu system you’ve been working on. It seems like it could be really helpful for travelers coming to Japan.

I’ve always loved Japanese food, but it was after moving to New York and living there for more than five years that I became a big fan of Japanese cuisine. I had the chance to try some authentic Japanese dishes back home, and options have been increasing there. But it’s still nothing like Tokyo, where the choices are broader, and the prices are much more reasonable.

Being here in Tokyo is really exciting. I’m amazed by how affordable many dishes are, and it feels like a true gastronomic paradise.

But when I walk around downtown Tokyo, I realize how challenging it can be to find the right place and then understand menus simply because they’re mostly in Japanese. Even with Google Translate, I’m sometimes unsure about what I’m ordering or whether I’ll like it. And while I love trying new things, it can feel a little overwhelming.

To give you an idea, I’d like to show you some pictures. These are examples of what visitors often see when walking around town. If they don’t read Japanese, you can imagine how confusing it might feel—even with a simple sign like this.

Restaurants often display menus at their entrance, but even then, it’s hard to figure out exactly what’s being offered or how the dishes are explained—especially with more complex items like this. The photos can look inviting, but without understanding the details, it’s still a bit of a guess.

AJ:
I know what you mean, and that’s where the English Menu comes in. It can be used both outside and inside the restaurant. The core idea is simple—QR codes. When you scan the code with your smartphone, you can listen to an explanation of the sign or menu in English.

And it’s not limited to restaurants. The system can be used for anything that needs to be explained in English, whether it’s shop signs, product descriptions, or even tourist information. It’s designed to make information accessible and easy to understand for international visitors.

Anna:
If I’m understanding you correctly, by just scanning the QR code using their own smartphone, everyone can hear an audio guide instantly—right?

AJ:
That’s right! Just one quick scan with your smartphone, and you’ll hear an explanation in English. Let me show you an example using your picture.

The panel in the middle is actually showcasing E-say Beef Stew, a traditional Japanese-style dish cooked in a hot pot, with an explanation written in Japanese. It might look visually appealing, but if you can’t read Japanese, you probably wouldn’t even try to understand the details.

But imagine a QR code in the upper-left corner of the sign labeled ‘Eng Menu.’ Wouldn’t you instantly recognize it as an English menu?

Just scan it, and you’ll see a link to the VoiceOver file. Tap the link, and the file opens. Then, simply press play, and you’ll hear the VoiceOver—just like this.

(Gyu-nabe VoiceMenu Sample) ———

Welcome to our voice menu.

This is Ise Beef Nabe, a traditional Japanese-style beef stew. It features tender, premium Ise beef, gently simmered in a savory, soy sauce-based dashi broth. For a rich and smooth flavor, the beef is traditionally enjoyed by dipping it into raw egg—just like sukiyaki.

Nabe is an ideal way to serve food for those who want to enjoy hot meals. Dipping it into raw egg to enjoy the rich and smooth flavor.

one of the popular serving styles of Japanese food that makes it possible to serve hot food in front of you, and makes it possible for you to control how much the food is cooked.

The stew also includes a variety of vegetables, tofu, and noodles, making it a complete and satisfying meal.

You can choose from the Sugi option, priced at ¥3,400, or the Hinoki deluxe option, priced at ¥4,840.

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AJ:
If you saw the QR VoiceMenu on the panel, your attitude would be different. If it looks visually appealing, you’d probably be curious enough to scan it and listen to the explanation. And what would happen if the explanation was like what you just heard?

Anna:
If I knew that I could hear the explanation like that, it would definitely catch my attention. I might not choose this restaurant, but I’d definitely feel more informed. It really makes a difference when you understand what you’re about to eat.

I think a lot of travelers would feel the same. Having that kind of explanation would take away a lot of hesitation and make the whole dining experience more enjoyable.

AJ:
Do you remember this menu? With QR codes, it would look something like this. What do you think?

Anna: It looks like such a small addition visually, and the QR codes probably wouldn’t bother Japanese customers. But for non-Japanese customers, what this system can do is amazing.

It’s impossible to include this much information on a menu with just images and text. But with a voice explanation, it’s so much easier to understand and appreciate the food. For those who know little about Japanese cuisine, it would be extremely valuable.

And if you carry earphones, you don’t have to worry about bothering other customers. It makes the whole experience smoother and more considerate.

AJ:
The Eng Menu can be arranged for individual items or for multiple dishes and items together—whichever is more appropriate for the restaurant or store. It’s a flexible system that can adapt to different needs.

AJ:
One of the best things about the Eng Menu is how simple and cost-effective it is to implement. Once you have clear descriptions in Japanese, all you need is some basic knowledge to prepare the English version, upload the audio files online, and generate QR codes linked to them.

No special equipment or large investments are required—just a few simple steps, and any restaurant or store can have its own Eng Menu system up and running.

Anna:
That’s amazing, AJ! So, even a small restaurant could easily set this up on its own.

AJ:
Exactly! And if they’re not sure where to start, we’ll provide more guidance in the future—either through a webpage or another video—so they can follow along step by step.

I hope many restaurants and stores where international travelers stop will soon realize how valuable the Eng Menu can be—not just for customers, but for themselves as well. It’s a small addition that can make a big difference in creating a more welcoming and accessible experience.

We hope the QR VoiceMenu system makes everyone happy, bringing benefits to both travelers and service providers.

Anna:
This system sounds really helpful. AJ, I love ramen, but I think if I could get a VoiceMenu explanation, I’d rather like to hear a series of explanations of my ramen choices—as long as it’s not too long.

AJ:
Definitely! I have a sample, and I’d love to hear what you think. This way, customers can easily compare the differences in one go without needing to select each option separately. It’s a simple and efficient approach that benefits most customers by helping them understand and decide quickly.

Anna:
I’d love to hear your sample.

AJ:
Sure thing! Here is the QR VoiceMenu that can give you an idea of how it works—why don’t you scan this QR code with your smartphone?

Anna:
Oh! All right.

(Rame Taro VoiceMenu Sample) ——————

Welcome to Ramen Taro’s Voice Menu!

Now, starting on the left, we have Tonkotsu Ramen – known for its rich, creamy pork bone broth. It’s topped with tender slices of chāshū, konbu (seaweed), and negi (green onions), creating a deep and savory flavor. Price: 1,000 yen.

In the middle, you’ll find Shoyu Ramen – a classic option with a clear, soy sauce-based broth. It comes with tender slices of chāshū, half a boiled egg, menma (bamboo shoots), negi, and wakame (seaweed). This combination offers a clean and well-balanced taste. Price: 800 yen.

And on the right, there’s Miso Ramen – a hearty and flavorful choice with a bold, slightly sweet miso-based broth. It’s topped with a piece of chāshū, moyashi (bean sprouts), corn, and a touch of butter for a rich, warming taste. Price: 900 yen.

Each ramen offers a unique taste experience, and we hope this guide helps you compare and choose the one that suits your preference.

For more options, like extra toppings and side dishes, please check our separate optional menu.

Enjoy your ramen experience!

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AJ:
What do you think, Anna? The audio guide is about 80 seconds long.

Anna:
That was really helpful! Listening to the explanations while looking at the menu made it so much easier to understand the differences. He could probably speak a little faster for me, but it didn’t feel too slow or too lengthy.

I never realized how much a short voice guide could enhance my choice. If the VoiceMenu is thoughtfully created like this, it really helps me feel more confident in choosing. And I love how it pointed out the menu layout—it felt so natural to follow.

I think this kind of explanation would really benefit travelers, especially when they’re not sure about the details from just the images.

AJ:
Exactly! It’s all about the explanation, and when it’s well-crafted, it makes a huge difference. You know why the speaker talks a bit slower.

The role of the English Menu is simple—it’s there to explain the menu to those who may not be familiar with Japanese food. But if it also offers educational or entertaining content, it becomes even more interesting and memorable for customers.

I really hope more restaurants in the future offer something like ‘Ramen Basics’ through their VoiceMenus. Of course, some may prefer to stick to their usual sales pitch, but if the VoiceOver is purely educational, I think customers would appreciate it. It’s a great way to develop a positive image of the restaurant.

Take a look at this example, Anna.

(Ramen Basics VoiceMenu Sample) ————

Welcome to our Ramen Basics – A Special Gift for you to make your waiting time shorter.

Ramen may look simple—just noodles in broth with some toppings—but there’s incredible variety in every bowl. And every region in Japan has its own unique style.

It all starts with the broth. There’s Shoyu, light and savory. Shio, clear and refreshing. Miso, hearty and bold. And then there’s Tonkotsu—rich, creamy, and packed with deep pork flavor. It’s the heavyweight champion of broths. Some love it so much they’d drink it by the gallon, while others might tap out after a few bites and reach for something lighter.

But here’s the beauty of ramen—every bowl tells its own story. Some broths simmer for hours, crafted with pork bones, dried bonito, or konbu. Others have secret ingredients passed down through generations. It’s a flavor adventure, and no two bowls are exactly the same.

And then there are the toppings. Tender slices of chāshū, sharp negi, and two ramen exclusives—crunchy menma and the signature ajitama, a marinated soft-boiled egg. Interestingly, the name ajitama is used almost exclusively for ramen, even though it’s just a seasoned half-boiled egg. The same goes for menma, which refers to seasoned bamboo shoots that are rarely found outside of a ramen bowl. These aren’t just toppings—they’re a part of ramen culture itself.

And yes, slurping is totally okay in Japan. Actually, it’s kind of encouraged. Think of it like giving a round of applause to the chef—just, you know, louder!

So there you have it! A quick tour of ramen. Now go out, slurp loud, and eat proud. And if you spill a little broth on your shirt? Well, that’s just proof of a meal well enjoyed!

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Anna:
I love it! I didn’t expect to learn so much about ramen just from a quick voice guide. I think I’d enjoy my meal even more if I heard this VoiceOver while waiting for my ramen. And after listening, I might end up adding extra toppings! Oh, and I’m definitely going to slurp even louder next time!

AJ:
Exactly! That’s the whole idea. It’s about making the dining experience more enjoyable—even before the food arrives. A little explanation can go a long way, and if it helps you discover something new or even consider adding to your order, that’s a win.

And honestly, hearing that it makes you want to slurp louder? Well, that’s the kind of feedback I love! And that’s really the reason why I’m trying to spread the QR VoiceMenu more widely!

Anna:
Now that I understand how the QR VoiceMenu works and about your passion. I realize how helpful it can be. Even though I’ve been a fan of Japanese food for years and have tried many dishes in New York, actually being here in Japan has shown me how much more there is to discover.

There are so many unique dishes and local specialties that I wouldn’t have known how to approach without some guidance. I’m particularly curious about Japanese sweets now, and I think this system is perfect for helping me learn more.

If even someone like me—who’s relatively familiar with Japanese food—can benefit from it, I can imagine how much more helpful it would be for first-time travelers.

It’s such a simple but effective way to make dining in Japan easier and more enjoyable. It removes uncertainty and helps people feel more confident and comfortable when ordering.

AJ:
Absolutely. That’s precisely my hope—to make the dining experience smoother for everyone and to help service providers connect better with their customers.

The great thing is that this can be done with a small investment—no equipment or complex systems are required for just the VoiceMenu. While more detailed information on a webpage or videos can be helpful in certain situations, I’ve often found that simpler is better. A straightforward voice guide is usually enough to make communication clearer, easier, and more enjoyable.

Anna:
AJ, thank you for letting me join this conversation today. It’s been fun and really eye-opening! I’ve learned a lot, and it’s exciting to think how this system could help travelers feel more comfortable and truly enjoy dining in Japan.

I truly hope you succeed in spreading the Eng Menu, or QR VoiceMenu—whatever the name may be. It’s a simple yet impactful way to make dining in Japan more accessible while connecting people through culture and travel—just like AJ’s Talk Room aims to do.

AJ:
Thank you, Anna, and thank you all for watching. We hope the Eng Menu makes your journey in Japan smoother, more enjoyable, and filled with great food experiences.

If you’d like to learn more about the Eng Menu system or share your thoughts, feel free to leave a message or comment. We’d love to hear from you!

See you next time in AJ’s Talk Room!