Exit Search

Izakaya food

June 30, 2021

Japanese food isn’t always about the sushi – get to an izakaya to experience real Japanese “small eats”

 

Japanese izakaya are casual, gastropub-style eateries with finger-licking skewers, grilled dishes, and other small plates perfect for sharing over a drink (usually sake, shochu, or beer). Most izakayas have a bar or counter seating, as well as traditional zashiki rooms, which are small areas with tatami mats on the floor around a low dining table. Even though the humble izakaya has always been an informal place for unwinding after a long day, it is the best way to taste excellent Japanese food at your own pace via their infamously enormous menus. It’s also a great opportunity to soak in local culture and understand the izakaya’s role in the community. Since you can order as you eat, there’s no rush – an izakaya is a place of leisure, but depending on the time of day, neighbourhood, and crowd, the atmosphere can range from tranquil to boisterous.

 

Locals at an Izakaya or pub in Dotonbori
Locals at an Izakaya or pub in Dotonbori

 

Izakaya has been around for hundreds of years, born from the simple setting of customers drinking their purchases at a sake shop. Historically, izakaya has a red chochin – a distinctive red lantern – displayed outside. In the 1970s and 1980s, the biggest izakaya patrons were Japanese businessmen or salarymen, who would get off work to cut loose with colleagues and friends. As such, regular customers begin by ordering beers or drinks, which usually come with otoshi – a small appetiser – that also serves as a table charge or gratuity (before all of that, prepare to clean your hands with a moist hot towel). Today, many modern izakayas have buzzers to call for service, which negates the need for you to get the waiter’s attention during the busy post-work period.

 

Japanese Izakaya restaurant with salarymen dining at night in Ueno Tokyo
Japanese Izakaya restaurant with salarymen dining at night in Ueno Tokyo

 

Of course, when one comes to an izakaya, one must have a drink – expect draft beers, sake, Japanese whisky, shochu, or a more unique mixed drink like an ume sour (plum brandy with soda). There’s also chuhai, a boozy fruit-tinged beverage. A hearty toast never goes unappreciated in an izakaya, and once the place fills up with office workers, you’ll probably hear several shouts of “kampai!” followed by clinking glasses. At some izakaya, regulars can buy a whole bottle of their choice and store it behind the bar.

 

Two glasses of mug beer on a table at an Izakaya restaurant in Tokyo
Two glasses of mug beer on a table at an Izakaya restaurant in Tokyo

 

The beauty of the izakaya truly lies in its food: dig into standards like edamame and agedashi tofu, a variety of onigiri (rice balls), grilled fish (always get a hamachi collar, if there is one), and mouthwatering kushiyaki and yakitori (meat or veggie skewers). Another must-try izakaya staple is the korokke – croquettes – which are most often creamy, blend of potato and crab, or corn and other vegetables served with a dipping sauce. Karaage, or Japanese fried chicken, is also a popular dish. There’s no real order of operations here, but many people choose to finish off their night with a rice or noodle dish like yakisoba. As a rule, sushi is not generally the best thing to order at an izakaya – this is a world of grilled, smoked, and fried finger foods.

 

Izakaya food such as Chicken Teriyaki skewers, battered deep fried fish, Sushi Maki rolls, Sashimi rolls, and Senbei
Izakaya food such as Chicken Teriyaki skewers, battered deep fried fish, Sushi Maki rolls, Sashimi rolls, and Senbei

Subscribe Now!

To receive our free printable eBook "Inspiring Japan"

book
RELATED TOURS
Cherry Blossom Dates
Travel from:Mar 2024
Travel until:Apr 2025
Japan
Moderate Pace
Fully Escorted
Don't pay $5,196
Now
$2,999 pp twin share
USD
Travel from:Mar 2024
Travel until:Apr 2025
Japan
Moderate Pace
Fully Escorted
Don't pay $5,196
From
$2,999 USD
pp twin share
Cherry Blossom Dates
Travel from:Apr 2024
Travel until:Nov 2024
Japan
$99pp deposit
Leisurely Pace
Fully Escorted
From
$5,399 pp twin share
USD
Travel from:Apr 2024
Travel until:Nov 2024
Japan
$99pp deposit
Leisurely Pace
Fully Escorted
7 Days
From
$5,399 USD
pp twin share
Cherry Blossom Dates
Travel from:Mar 2024
Travel until:Nov 2024
Japan
$99pp deposit
Moderate Pace
Partially Escorted
From
$4,799 pp twin share
USD
Travel from:Mar 2024
Travel until:Nov 2024
Japan
$99pp deposit
Moderate Pace
Partially Escorted
7 Days
From
$4,799 USD
pp twin share
Cherry Blossom Dates
Travel from:Mar 2024
Travel until:Nov 2024
Japan
$99pp deposit
Lively Pace
Partially Escorted
From
$4,999 pp twin share
USD
Travel from:Mar 2024
Travel until:Nov 2024
Japan
$99pp deposit
Lively Pace
Partially Escorted
From
$4,999 USD
pp twin share
Travel from:Mar 2024
Travel until:Nov 2024
Japan
$99pp deposit
Moderate Pace
Fully Escorted

Small Group

From
$5,299 pp twin share
USD
Travel from:Mar 2024
Travel until:Nov 2024
Japan
$99pp deposit
Moderate Pace
Fully Escorted
Small Group
From
$5,299 USD
pp twin share
Travel from:Feb 2024
Travel until:Dec 2024
Japan
$99pp deposit
Local Guides
Moderate Pace
From
$3,899 pp twin share
USD
Travel from:Feb 2024
Travel until:Dec 2024
Japan
$99pp deposit
Local Guides
Moderate Pace
Small Group
From
$3,899 USD
pp twin share
Cherry Blossom Dates
Travel from:Feb 2024
Travel until:Nov 2025
Japan
$99pp deposit
Fully Escorted
Moderate Pace

Small Group

From
$3,999 pp twin share
USD
Travel from:Feb 2024
Travel until:Nov 2025
Japan
$99pp deposit
Fully Escorted
Moderate Pace
Small Group
From
$3,999 USD
pp twin share
Cherry Blossom Dates
Travel from:Mar 2024
Travel until:Nov 2025
Japan
Moderate Pace
Fully Escorted
Typically $7,938
Now
$2,799 pp twin share
USD
Travel from:Mar 2024
Travel until:Nov 2025
Japan
Moderate Pace
Fully Escorted
Typically $7,938
From
$2,799 USD
pp twin share
Travel from:Mar 2024
Travel until:Nov 2024
Japan
Local Guides
Moderate Pace
From
$2,999 pp twin share
USD
Travel from:Mar 2024
Travel until:Nov 2024
Japan
Local Guides
Moderate Pace
7 Days
From
$2,999 USD
pp twin share
Cherry Blossom Dates
Travel from:Mar 2024
Travel until:Nov 2025
Japan
$99pp deposit
Fully Escorted
Moderate Pace
From
$3,299 pp twin share
USD
Travel from:Mar 2024
Travel until:Nov 2025
Japan
$99pp deposit
Fully Escorted
Moderate Pace
Group Tour - Classic
From
$3,299 USD
pp twin share
2025 Dates Added
Travel from:Mar 2024
Travel until:Nov 2025
Japan
Fully Escorted
Moderate Pace

Fully Escorted

Typically $5,408
Now
$1,999 pp twin share
USD
Travel from:Mar 2024
Travel until:Nov 2025
Japan
Fully Escorted
Moderate Pace
7 Days
Typically $5,408
From
$1,999 USD
pp twin share
Travel from:Mar 2024
Travel until:Nov 2024
Japan
$99pp deposit
Partially Escorted
Moderate Pace
From
$5,799 pp twin share
USD
Travel from:Mar 2024
Travel until:Nov 2024
Japan
$99pp deposit
Partially Escorted
Moderate Pace
7 Days
From
$5,799 USD
pp twin share
Processing...