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August 11, 2025Menu Design Ideas for Restaurants: Japanese, Yakiniku, Yakitori, Hotpot & BBQ
A restaurant’s menu is more than just a list of dishes — it’s your silent salesperson. A well-designed menu not only reflects your brand identity but also influences customer decisions, increases sales, and enhances the dining experience.
If you own a Japanese restaurant, yakiniku restaurant, yakitori restaurant, hotpot restaurant, or BBQ restaurant, these menu design ideas will help you stand out and attract more customers.
1. Japanese Restaurant Menu Design
For Japanese dining, presentation is everything.
Design tips:
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Minimalist aesthetic with clean lines, soft colours, and ample white space.
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Use high-quality food photography for signature dishes like sushi, sashimi, and tempura.
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Include Japanese calligraphy or brush-stroke elements to add authenticity.
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Highlight seasonal specials or omakase courses with elegant frames or banners.
2. Yakiniku Restaurant Menu Design
Yakiniku dining is all about variety and choice.
Design tips:
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Use bold, smoky colours like black, charcoal grey, and deep red to reflect grilled flavours.
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Feature close-up meat shots showing marbling and texture.
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Group meats by cut and grade, using clear icons for beef, pork, chicken, and seafood.
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Offer combo set visuals with pricing to make upselling easier.
3. Yakitori Restaurant Menu Design
Yakitori restaurants thrive on simplicity and casual enjoyment.
Design tips:
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Use wood texture backgrounds to match the traditional izakaya vibe.
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Add skewer illustrations or icons to make it easy to spot each type of yakitori.
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Display beer pairings alongside skewers to increase drink sales.
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Keep the layout compact so customers can order quickly.
4. Hotpot Restaurant Menu Design
Hotpot menus need to be both informative and inviting.
Design tips:
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Use bright, warm colours (red, orange, gold) to create a cosy feel.
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Clearly display soup base options with small icons or pictures.
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Organise meats, vegetables, seafood, and side dishes in easy-to-read grids.
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Highlight all-you-can-eat or set menus for groups.
5. BBQ Restaurant Menu Design
BBQ is bold, fun, and hearty — your menu should match that energy.
Design tips:
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Use rustic fonts and charred textures for a smoky feel.
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Showcase platters and sharing options with large, mouth-watering photos.
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Create "Build Your Own BBQ" sections for customers to personalise their meals.
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Emphasise house sauces or rubs with call-outs.
Pro Tips for All Restaurant Menu Designs
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Highlight high-margin items with boxes, borders, or chef’s recommendations.
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Keep descriptions short, tempting, and clear — focus on taste, texture, and experience.
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Ensure prices are easy to find but not the main focus.
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Match menu style with your branding, interior design, and customer expectations.