When you need a quick teriyaki fix, Japan Express keeps their menu simple and their prices easy on the wallet. Checking the Japan Express Menu with Prices before you go is the smartest way to plan a fast lunch or a casual dinner without any surprises at the register.
This guide breaks down every section of their current offerings, from bento boxes to sides and drinks. You will know exactly what to order and what it costs before you step in line.
Japan Express Menu With Prices
Japan Express operates on a straightforward model. You pick a protein, you pick a style (plate, bowl, or bento), and you add sides if you are hungry. Their menu is not huge, but every item is designed for speed and consistency.
Prices do vary slightly by location because of local food costs and franchise agreements. The numbers below reflect the standard national average as of this year. Always confirm with your local store for the final total, but these figures are accurate for most areas.
Chicken And Beef Entrees
The core of the menu revolves around teriyaki chicken and beef. These are cooked on a flat grill and tossed in their signature sweet-savory sauce.
- Chicken Teriyaki Plate – $8.99
- Beef Teriyaki Plate – $9.79
- Chicken Teriyaki Bowl – $7.99
- Beef Teriyaki Bowl – $8.79
- Chicken Bento Box – $10.49
- Beef Bento Box – $11.29
Every plate and bowl comes with steamed rice and a simple green salad. The bento boxes take it further. They add a couple of gyoza dumplings and a small California roll on the side. That is the best value if you want variety.
Shrimp And Veggie Options
If you do not eat red meat or poultry, there are still solid choices. The shrimp is grilled the same way as the chicken, and the veggie option is surprisingly filling.
- Shrimp Teriyaki Plate – $10.29
- Shrimp Teriyaki Bowl – $9.29
- Shrimp Bento Box – $11.99
- Veggie Teriyaki Plate – $7.49
- Veggie Bento Box – $8.99
The veggie plate includes broccoli, carrots, onions, and zucchini. They cook it fast on the grill so the vegetables still have a little crunch. You can ask for extra teriyaki sauce on the side at no charge.
Combo Meals And Large Portions
For bigger appetites, Japan Express offers combo plates. These give you two proteins on one bed of rice. It is a popular pick for people who cannot decide between chicken and beef.
- Chicken and Beef Combo Plate – $10.99
- Chicken and Shrimp Combo Plate – $11.49
- Beef and Shrimp Combo Plate – $11.99
- Large Chicken Teriyaki Plate – $10.49
- Large Beef Teriyaki Plate – $11.29
The large size gives you roughly 40 percent more protein and rice. It is a good deal for construction workers or anyone doing physical labor. Most people find the regular size is enough for one meal.
Appetizers And Sides
You can add a few extras to your tray without breaking your budget. These are the standard add-ons available at almost every location.
- Gyoza (6 pieces) – $3.99
- California Roll (8 pieces) – $4.99
- Steamed Rice – $1.99
- Fried Rice – $2.99
- Side Salad – $2.49
- Miso Soup – $1.79
The gyoza are pan-fried and come with a tangy dipping sauce. The California roll is fresh and made daily. If you are really hungry, order the gyoza and the roll together. That combo costs about $9 and is enough for a light meal on its own.
Drinks And Desserts
Japan Express keeps the drink menu basic. You will find standard sodas, bottled water, and a few Asian-inspired options.
- Soft Drinks (Medium) – $1.89
- Bottled Water – $1.49
- Iced Green Tea – $2.29
- Ramune Soda – $3.49
Dessert is limited. Most stores carry mochi ice cream in flavors like mango, strawberry, and green tea. A single piece costs $1.99. Some locations offer a small tempura cheesecake, but that is not on every menu.
Bento Box Breakdown
The bento box is the most popular item on the menu. It is worth explaining exactly what you get inside the box so you can decide if the upgrade is worth the extra money.
- Main Protein – You choose chicken, beef, shrimp, or veggies.
- Rice – A generous scoop of steamed white rice sits on one side.
- Salad – A small portion of shredded cabbage with a light ginger dressing.
- Gyoza – Two pan-fried dumplings.
- California Roll – Four pieces of crab and avocado roll.
Compare that to a regular plate, which only has rice and salad. The bento costs about $1.50 more but adds the dumplings and sushi. For most customers, the bento is the smarter purchase because you get more variety for a small price increase.
How To Order Efficiently
Japan Express is built for speed. The staff expects you to know what you want when you reach the counter. If you are new, here is a simple step-by-step process to avoid holding up the line.
- Decide on your protein first. Chicken is the most popular, beef is richer, shrimp is lighter.
- Choose your format. Plate, bowl, or bento box.
- Select your size. Regular or large.
- Add any sides or drinks before you pay.
- Move to the pickup window and wait for your number to be called.
The whole process takes about five minutes from ordering to pickup. They cook the protein fresh on the grill, so it is not instant like fast food. But it is faster than a sit-down restaurant.
Value Compared To Other Fast Food
Let us be honest about the pricing. A chicken teriyaki bowl at $7.99 is comparable to a meal at Chipotle or Panda Express. The difference is that Japan Express gives you a bigger portion of protein for the same price.
Here is a quick comparison of what you get for your money:
- Panda Express Plate – Two entrees and rice, about $9.50, smaller portions.
- Chipotle Bowl – One protein, rice, beans, about $9.20.
- Japan Express Bowl – One protein, rice, salad, $7.99 to $9.29.
Japan Express tends to be slightly cheaper while giving you a similar amount of food. The tradeoff is a smaller menu. You will not find orange chicken or Kung Pao here. It is strictly teriyaki-style cooking.
Are There Any Hidden Fees
Most locations do not charge extra for teriyaki sauce on the side. You can also ask for extra salad dressing without paying. However, if you want white meat chicken instead of dark meat, there is a small upcharge of about $0.50.
Some franchise locations add a small charge for credit card payments, usually around 2 to 3 percent. Cash is always accepted and avoids that fee. Also, delivery through third-party apps like DoorDash or Uber Eats will have higher prices than the in-store menu. The apps add their own markup.
Nutritional Considerations
The teriyaki sauce is sweet and contains a fair amount of sugar and sodium. A standard chicken teriyaki plate has roughly 800 to 900 calories. The beef version is closer to 1,000 calories because the beef has more fat.
If you are watching your intake, consider these tips:
- Ask for sauce on the side and use half of it.
- Choose the bowl instead of the plate to get less rice.
- Skip the gyoza and California roll to save about 250 calories.
- Drink water instead of soda to cut sugar.
The veggie plate is the lowest calorie option at around 500 calories. It is also the cheapest item on the menu, which makes it a good choice for budget-conscious diners.
Loyalty Programs And Deals
Japan Express does not have a national loyalty app like some big chains. However, many individual locations run their own punch card system. Buy ten meals and get the eleventh free is a common promotion.
Ask the cashier if they have a punch card. Some stores also offer a lunch discount between 11 AM and 2 PM on weekdays. This discount is usually around 10 percent off the bowl items. It is not advertised heavily, so you have to ask.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Japan Express menu the same at every location?
No, prices and a few side items vary by franchise owner. The core menu items like chicken and beef teriyaki are always available, but specialty items like tempura cheesecake are location-specific.
Can I order gluten-free at Japan Express?
The teriyaki sauce contains soy sauce, which has wheat. There is no gluten-free sauce option. The steamed rice and salad are gluten-free, but the protein is cooked with the sauce. If you have celiac disease, this is not a safe choice.
Does Japan Express have a kids menu?
Most locations do not have a dedicated kids menu. However, the veggie bowl at $7.49 is small enough for a child. You can also order a side of rice and gyoza for a child-friendly meal.
How much does delivery cost from Japan Express?
Delivery prices are set by the third-party app, not the restaurant. Expect to pay 15 to 30 percent more than the in-store menu. The restaurant also marks up items by about $1 to $2 for delivery orders.
What is the most expensive item on the menu?
The beef and shrimp combo plate at $11.99 is the priciest regular item. Some locations offer a “mega bento” with double protein for around $14.99, but that is not on every menu.
Final Thoughts On Pricing
Japan Express delivers reliable quality at a fair price point. The menu is not fancy, but it does not need to be. You get fresh grilled protein, decent sides, and a filling meal for under $12 in most cases.
The best strategy is to order the bento box if you want variety and the bowl if you want the lowest price. Skip the drinks and sides if you are on a tight budget, as they add up quickly. A chicken bowl with water will cost you about $8.50, which is hard to beat for a hot, freshly cooked meal.
Before you visit, call your local store to confirm the current prices. Menus do change, and franchise owners have some flexibility. But for the vast majority of locations, the prices listed here will be within a few cents of what you see at the counter.