Drink Like Locals: Understanding the basics of Izakaya Pubs in Japan

WeXpats
2020/09/10

Izakaya pubs are places that one will inevitably go to when working in Japan. They are places that salarymen socialize, and drink away troubles after work because of its informal and light atmosphere. Knowing what they are, and what you can expect from these pubs might just help you prepare better.


Table of Contents


All About Izakaya

Are you exhausted from a long day of work? Are you tired from a day of roaming around different tourist destinations? Or are you just looking for a place to chill out and enjoy yourself with your friends? Well, Japan has the best place for you - Izakaya.

Izakayas are Japanese pubs or basically drinking houses that also offer a variety of dishes. So, if you want to drink and eat at the same time, izakayas are the place to go. These pubs are highly recommended for friends and coworkers who want to have a good time while enjoying a couple of drinks and sharing a table of delicious dishes.

Another aspect of going to izakaya is the Japanese business socializing culture called “nomikai” and along with it, “nijikai”. Nomikai are drinking parties, which work departments and colleagues often have. As for nijikai, it’s when after a formal dinner with coworkers or business partners, people usually look for a different location like karaoke bars, or izakaya pubs for another round of drinks.

Izakaya pubs have a casual atmosphere rather than a formal ambiance that some restaurants have. Therefore, these drinking places are the best place to relax and be less conscious while eating and drinking with your colleagues. Izakayas are also known to have a friendly environment where strangers can talk and engage with one another while having a good time. So, these pubs are also good venue to interact with the locals and get to know more about the Japanese lifestyle and culture.

Aside from all sorts of alcohol served in izakayas, there is also a variety of home-style foods available in these places. It is also an amazing place to enjoy and try out some Japanese delicacies since the highlight of their menu is mainly Japanese cuisine. However, you can also enjoy some international and Western foods and snacks here like fries, spring rolls, and other snacks that go along well with a bottle of beer.

Another highlight of izakayas is the traditional Japanese dining experience. Some izakayas only have or have a separate section with traditional tatami tables where you can enjoy the food and drinks you ordered on a low-lying table. However, if you spend your time in these sections, please be reminded to take off your shoes before entering the tatami area.

Izakaya Dining Experience

So you decided to go to an izakaya. Upon sitting down, you’ll be given a wet towel called “oshibori” that you can use to clean your hands, as many Japanese establishments do. You will also be served a small appetizer called “otoshi”. This appetizer is mandatory and is automatically charged to your bill, so don’t be surprised to find it included after. Some izakayas also offer discount rates for groups, so make sure to inquire about this at the door to save a little. Usually the people trying to catch customers standing outside the izakaya will offer discounts to groups or add a special service, so they’d be the person to talk to.

Unlimited Food and Drinks

An offer that you might want to take advantage of with your coworkers or friends is the “tabehoudai (all-you-can-eat)” and “nomihoudai (all-you-can-drink)” options. These options, from the term itself, offer you unlimited access to a specific range of foods and drinks. Please note that it is not unlimited access to all the foods and drinks menu, but only to specific selections provided by the store, usually on a separate menu. 

Another thing to remember when considering these options is that these usually have time limitations. Especially if there are many customers waiting outside, your unlimited foods and drinks access will have a time limit that generally ranges from 1-2 hours only. Also, all people in your party must be willing to do nomihoudai or tabehoudai because they will be charging it per person in your party. 

Menu

As mentioned earlier, izakayas have a wide variety of foods and drinks. You can enjoy different beers, rice wines, sake, and other alcoholic beverages. Some of the most ordered beverages in izakayas are draft beer as a starter and shochu. If you are not so much into alcohol, there are juices and soft drinks available as well. To complete your experience, there are also numerous Japanese and international snacks and dishes that you can order to partner with your drink. Some of the common dishes in most izakayas are karaage fried chicken, dumplings, yakitori, tempura, noodles, rice, and many more.

Other Services

Bottle Keep

You have a great time with your friends, and you have enjoyed the food and drinks. However, you still have a bottle to consume on the table, yet it seems like you and your friends are already at your limit. What to do? 

Do not worry because some izakayas, especially smaller privately run ones, have a “Bottle Keep” service. Bottle keeping means that the place is going to keep your unfinished bottle for you until you return. So, if you can’t drink it all today, you can come back the next day or another day to finish it. That’s why at some pubs, you’ll see a huge cabinet with rows of sake bottles with a tag listing whose bottle it is. Isn’t that unique? 

Secret Menu

If you want to expand your izakaya dining experience, try to choose one place and be a regular customer there. Why is that? Because some izakayas have secret menus that are only available for their loyal and regular customers. Cool, right? And the more you get to know the owner or manager, the more サービス (“on the house” service) you may randomly receive. 

Izakaya Dining Etiquette

Although izakayas are not formal food establishments and are known for their casual vibe, it is still important to observe proper etiquette because most Japanese people are very particular about this. So, here are some of the basic izakaya dining etiquette that you should observe:

  • Ordering a draft beer is the best to start the night even though not a rule but a tradition, especially if you’re there in a group or with colleagues. Rather than making everyone wait by staring at the menu, many will choose beer as the easy first option for the first kanpai, or cheers, which can only be done when everyone has their drinks at hand. So, before ordering your favorite sake or shochu, try out some draft beer first as is customary. But of course, if you don’t like beer, you can always choose a different customary “first drink” that tend to be on the menu like レモンサワー(lemon sour - shochu, lemon juice and soda). 

  • Pouring drinks for one another is considered as an act of politeness in Japan. Whenever you see one of your companions’ glass empty, pour him or her a drink politely, and for sure, they will do the same for you.

  • Please observe other common table and bathroom etiquette as well. For example, to use the restroom, there are often slippers near where you took off your shoes (if you’re sitting in the tatami area) so you don’t have to find and put on your shoes. Once at the restroom, there may be restroom slippers to change into. After using the restroom, make sure not to wear the restroom slippers back to your table.

And some last tips: There are many chain izakaya that have English menus nowadays, but traditional izakaya may not have them. Make sure to take someone with you who can read and speak Japanese if you’re trying out a new place, especially a local privately run izakaya. Also, you will most likely end up smelling like food and smoke as most izakaya are close quarters and smoking establishments, so be ready to wash your clothes and air out your coats and belongings when you get home. 

Izakaya All the Way

Whenever you want to chill out with your friends or destress with your coworkers, you already know the place. There are countless Izakayas scattered across Japan that are open to provide a great venue to enjoy quality time while devouring amazing dishes and drinks. So, make sure to visit some of these Izakayas near you and say “Kanpai!” (cheers) and “Itadakimasu!” (let's eat).

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WeXpats
Here to provide a variety of articles from useful information about life, working, and studying in Japan to Japan's charms and attractive qualities.

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