How do you say "What is this?" in Japanese?

Quick use

Use これはなんですか (kore wa nan desu ka) when you want to ask what something on the menu is.

It is useful for dishes, sauces, set options, or unfamiliar words.

Chunk or pattern

• Reusable pattern: 〜 は / なん ですか
• Replace 〜 with the item you are asking about.
• Good swaps here: これは, このメニューは, このソースは.

Helper words and endings

• は: marks the topic.
• ですか: makes it a polite question.

Practical note

Pointing at the menu while saying this is important. Without pointing, これ may not be clear.