Do you know the meaning of Izakaya? Have you heard of the traditional Japanese bars? In this article, we will talk all about these small bars that are family-run and homey, used as a meeting point among friends.
Table of Contents
What are Izakaya?
After a long day at work, to gather the family or even to drink with friends, the Izakayas [居酒屋] are a great choice. Izakayas are taverns or bars that have a very comfortable and friendly atmosphere.
They serve a great and varied diversity of dishes and drinks. Nowadays, these homey bars have expanded and come in all sizes, but the focus is still on entertaining and relaxing people with simple and cheap drinks and dishes.
It is believed that there are more than one and a half million Izakayas spread across Japan. You can find an izakaya anywhere in Japan, from small towns to busy streets. They are also very popular around train and subway stations.
Even though bars are mostly remembered for mess, drunken people, and a lot of noise, izakayas are different. They were inspired by the “tea houses” of the Edo period in Japan. In the 17th century, these houses began selling sake and making simple dishes. This became very popular at the time.
We recommend reading: Sake – Everything about the Japanese rice drink
Meaning of Izakaya
The word Izakaya is formed by the ideograms [居酒屋] which means something like a bar that serves dishes and snacks. The word has the ideogram [居] which means residence, [酒] which means sake, and [屋] which represents store or sale.
The main aspect that unites all Izakayas is that they are all casual places, made for relaxation and unwinding with plenty of common drinks and food. But they always remain true to the traditions and classic roots and Japanese ingredients.
What can be found in an Izakaya
You can find a gigantic variety of dishes. The most common are sashimi, fried chicken, grilled rice balls, Edamame, gyoza, among others. The most ordered are yakitori, which are pieces of chicken grilled on bamboo skewers. And also oden, which are potatoes, vegetables, octopus, and eggs boiled in a broth. Some Izakayas specialize in seafood.
These dishes are mainly served as accompaniments to sake and beers in general. The drink menu is as well-crafted as the food menu. The Japanese beer called shochu stands out.
We recommend reading: Biiru – Everything about Japanese Beers
This drink is usually distilled from sweet potatoes, barley, rice, wheat, or brown sugar. Such drinks are often consumed neat, mixed with water, with fruit juice, and even with tea. But of course, soft drinks are also served.
Often the customer receives a wet towel called “oshibori” to clean their hands. And soon after, an “otoshi,” which are small portions of appetizers. Menus can be found from on top of tables to hanging on walls and ceilings.
Dishes are usually shared with everyone at the table. Traditionally at first, izakayas were quite simple and frequented only by men. But nowadays, more and more women and students gather in these places.
Izakayas are very popular among the Japanese and all tourists who visit them. They stand out for their exciting and welcoming atmosphere and traditional and warm services. Have you had the chance to visit an Izakaya? What was your experience?
My Experience at an Izakaya
I went to an Izakaya for the first time in the Izu region in the city of Ito. At the first Izakaya I went to, we had a Sake where it was poured into a cup that was inside another wooden container, filling both containers.
Afterward, we went to a Snack Bar, sang a couple of songs in “Karaoke,” and then went to another top Izakaya, much more family-oriented where we talked a lot with the owner and even took pictures with them. That day was an incredible experience while we were staying at K’s.
Of course, during the trip, we went to several other restaurants that served drinks, especially some with German beer and also the Sapporo brewery itself in Hokkaido. I also went to an Izakaya in Tokyo and had Yakitori.
Also read: Yakitori – Grilled skewers
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