[TalnSG]

Here's a bit of a compromise to consider.

If you are sitting at a sushi bar, thanking the chef in Japanese won't hurt. No matter what the nationality, that is a phrased learned while training as an itamae. Even one of my favorite itamae who is Mexican, smiles and responds in Japanese to simple polite phrases.

In my case, I got lucky years ago when simply please and thank-you to a chef who is Japanese led to regular lessons in how to order my food.

You might get away with the same for the waitstaff, but not necessarily. A Korean waitress would understand your attempt, but might not appreciate it at all. And in Dallas, many of the Japanese restaurants are Korean owned.