Jolly Pasta Japan Guide for Tourists: 50+ Pastas, Japanese Wafu Flavors & Free Lunch Soup

Quick Facts

What it is

Jolly Pasta, operated by Jolly-Pasta Co., Ltd. (part of Zensho Holdings Co., Ltd.), is Japan's largest pasta specialty restaurant chain with over 300 locations nationwide. Dedicated to uncompromising Italian pasta craft, every order is cooked to an exacting al dente bite using 100% durum semolina wheat imported directly from Italy. With an extensive menu exceeding 50 varieties, Jolly Pasta showcases both authentic Italian classics (Bolognese, Carbonara, Vongole) and Japan's celebrated culinary innovation: *Japanese-Style Pasta (Wafū Pasta), featuring toppings like salted cod roe (Tarako), spicy mentaiko, baby whitebait (Shirasu*), and soy-butter sauce. Paired with ultra-thin crispy Roman pizzas and free soup bars during weekday lunch, it is an accessible pasta paradise.

How to order

Dining at Jolly Pasta is intuitive, modern, and accommodating:

1. Be seated by the host: Walk in and be escorted to a dining booth or table.
2. Switch the tablet to English: Pick up the tabletop touchscreen tablet and toggle the language to English.
3. Explore over 50 pasta varieties: Browse categories including Tomato Sauce, Cream Sauce, Meat Sauce, Peperoncino, Japanese Wafu, and Soup Pasta.
4. Customize your pasta: The tablet allows you to adjust portion sizes (standard or large Ōmori), add extra grated parmesan cheese, or adjust chili spice levels.
5. Enjoy free Lunch Soup (Weekdays until 17:00): If dining during weekday lunchtime, walk to the soup bar and help yourself to complimentary hot soup (such as onion broth or vegetable soup) with unlimited refills!
6. Savor your meal with Red Pepper Oil: When your piping-hot pasta arrives, use the tabletop Red Pepper Olive Oil bottle to add fragrant chili heat to your liking.
7. Pay at the automated self-checkout: Take your paper table check barcode to the automated payment kiosks near the exit to pay by card, transit IC, e-money, or QR app.

What to order first

All dishes below are officially featured on the Jolly Pasta Official Menu and row reference data (prices subject to seasonal updates):

• *Japanese Wafu Tarako & Squid Pasta (Tarako to Ika no Wafū Pasta)*: Japan's classic modern pasta—al dente spaghetti tossed in savory salted cod roe butter, topped with tender squid slices, shredded nori seaweed, and fresh shiso herb; priced around ¥700–¥900s tax-included (as of September 25, 2026).
• Bacon & Mushroom Soy-Butter Spaghetti: Classic Japanese-style garlic, butter, and Japanese soy sauce spaghetti loaded with mushrooms and savory bacon.
• Creamy Carbonara with Soft-Boiled Egg: Rich egg-and-cream sauce topped with crispy Italian pancetta, fresh cracked black pepper, and a soft-boiled egg yolk, priced around ¥800–¥1,000 tax-included (as of September 25, 2026).
• Crispy Roman Piccolo Pizza: Ultra-thin, cracker-crisp 18cm personal pizzas (such as Margherita or Gorgonzola honey), priced in the budget ¥400s range tax-included (as of September 25, 2026).
• Free Weekday Lunch Soup Bar: Included at zero extra charge with all meals on weekdays until 17:00 (5:00 PM).

Payment & practical info

Payment methods and store facilities vary by store location (check the Official Jolly Pasta Store Locator for branch specifics):

• Accepted Payment Methods: Accepts cash, major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club, UnionPay), Japanese transit IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA, etc.), electronic money (iD, QUICPay, Rakuten Edy), and smartphone QR code apps (PayPay, Rakuten Pay, d-barai, au PAY, Merpay, LINE Pay, Alipay, WeChat Pay). Automated self-checkout terminals are standard.
• Weekday Lunch Soup Window (Until 17:00): Free soup bar service runs until 17:00 (5:00 PM) on weekdays, offering exceptional value for late-afternoon travelers.
• Tabletop Red Pepper Oil: Every table features a bottle of custom-infused red chili olive oil for diners who want to spice up their tomato or aglio olio dishes.
• Wi-Fi & Power Outlets: Varies by store; general dining booths do not provide customer power sockets.
• Tax-Free Status: Not eligible for tax-free shopping. Restaurant dining services cannot be exempted from consumption tax.

Good to know / Common mistakes

• Only ordering Western pasta: While their Bolognese and Carbonara are delicious, you can get those in any country. In Japan, you must try Wafu Pasta (cod roe Tarako, spicy Mentaiko, or soy sauce butter)—it is a unique culinary delight loved across Japan.
• Missing the free soup bar before 5 PM: On weekdays, you don't need to order soup separately—just grab a cup from the soup bar station and help yourself to unlimited refills until 17:00.
• Underestimating the Red Pepper Oil: The chili olive oil on the table is infused with real dried peppers and is surprisingly spicy. Drizzle a small test drop before drenching your plate.
• Tipping the staff: Tipping is never accepted in Japan. Settle the exact amount on the self-checkout kiosk.

Sources

• Jolly Pasta Official Website: https://www.jolly-pasta.co.jp/ (Verified: 2026-09-25)
• Jolly Pasta Store Locator: https://maps.jolly-pasta.co.jp/ (Verified: 2026-09-25)