1. Introduction

After a long day of travelling, many travelers like to head over to an izakaya (Japanese-style pub) and let their hair down. And no wonder. Izakayas are said to be the culinary haven of Japan as their menus offer a wide variety of mouthwatering food and drinks. You can tuck into a gourmet feast, drink merrily with your travel mates and basically enjoy their company. All these benefits at wallet-friendly prices! Here is a list of the most popular dishes and beverages you should consume at an izakaya.

2. An Explanation Of Izakaya Style Dining

Izakaya is composed of three Kanji characters, 居酒屋, which literally means “stay, sake and place”. As its name suggests, it’s a place when locals and foreigners alike gather with their friends and colleagues to enjoy a lovely night out. As such, don’t be surprised when you step inside an izakaya and find groups of customers chatting animatedly and toasting boisterously. This electrifying atmosphere will surely put you at ease and in a conducive mood to bond with your companions. No more worrying about whether you are making too much noise, which will be the case should you patronize a regular restaurant. If you have been to an Irish pub or a tapas bar, you will find yourself right at home here.

At the same time, because of the way an izakaya is designed, you don’t have to worry that you can’t hear your friends over the din and have to shout yourself hoarse. Many izakayas divide their space into compartments and require their guests to sit in cushions on the floor, so you and your friends would have a cosy room to yourself. This is useful especially if you intend to embark on a drinking session with them. Some izakayas offer 2-hour nomihodai (drink-all-you-can) sessions that let you drink all the beverages you want, so be sure to take advantage of that!

3. Popular Foods In An Izakaya Food Menu

You may have different dietary preferences from your travel mates and find it challenging to find an eatery that accommodates all your varied needs. No such issue at an izakaya! Although some izakayas specialize in fish or meat while others focus on homegrown delicacies, most izakayas boast a comprehensive food menu that typically features all your favorites and caters to your palate. 

Eating at an izakaya is meant to be a communal experience. When you arrive, you will be given a small dish called a torizara, which will help you place your share of food from the main plate served to the group. Have fun ordering a few items from the Japanese izakaya menu and eating to your heart’s content. Here are some scrumptious staples that should not be missed! 

Edamame (Green Pod Soybeans)

Rich in minerals and vitamins, edamame are a great snack you can order to pair with your beer and start off your evening. They are typically boiled or steamed and seasoned with salt, thus giving your tastebuds a delightful sensory “awakening”. We almost forgot to tell you the most basic one.

Grilled Fish

Grilled fish is another healthy choice you can order at an izakaya as it is high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. It lets you appreciate nature more since the fish dishes available at the izakaya vary accordingly with the change of the seasons. Common fishes used by chefs include salmon, Pacific saury, and mackerel, among others.

Yakitori (Grilled Chicken)

Attention, all meat lovers! When at an izakaya, you must try out the yakitori. Handed to you on skewers, these deliciously divine pieces of juicy chicken will send you to seventh heaven. It would be best to order a few different chicken parts, including chicken legs (momo) and meat balls (tsukune), so that you can enjoy the variety of flavor with relish!

Dashimaki Tamago (Japanese Rolled Omelette)

Light, uncomplicated, yet flavorful. That’s dashimaki tamago for you. Made with dashi (Japanese soup) stock, it gives your palate a wholesome lift. Usually served with grated daikon radish and soy sauce.

Motsu Nikomi (Stewed Pork Intestines)

Do pork intestines appeal to you? If you are up for a unique epicurean experience, motsu nikomi will be right up your alley. This dish is body-and-soul-warming because the intestines are stewed for hours and yield an exquisite taste. What’s more, it is a wholesome dish as it features many vegetables like carrots, tofu, daikon and potatoes.

Kushikatsu (Deep-fried Skewered Meat And Vegetables)

Originating in Osaka, kushikatsu has become so popular that it is available at izakayas all over Japan. This is likely due to its versatility - most meats and vegetables can be deep fried in vegetable oil after mixing them with a panko batter. Panko refers to Japanese-style breadcrumbs made from bread after removing the crust, so it’s a crunchy treat to die for. Served with tonkatsu or oyster sauce to make the taste even richer.

Gyoza (Japanese Dumplings)

What’s something crispy on the outside but juicy on the inside? If your answer is gyoza, you’re absolutely right. That’s because gyozas are first pan-fried till crispy brown and then steamed. These dumplings boast a harmonious blend of ground meat and vegetables wrapped inside a thin wonton skin. Bite the crispy skin with gusto and enjoy how the juice delights your tastebuds. 

Tebasaki (Deep-fried Chicken Wings)

You may wish to indulge yourself in eating just chicken wings. If this sounds like you, you would be pleased to know that tebasaki would satisfy your meaty cravings. Grilled or deep-fried, these skewered chicken wings are seasoned with only salt and pepper so that you can soak up these divine essence. Best, they typically come in pairs, so you get double the pleasure from one plate.

Agedashi Tofu (Japanese Deep-fried Tofu Cubes)

What’s not to love about a crunchy deep-fried coating that contains tofu so soft that it almost melts in your mouth? Gourmet connoisseurs love to order agedashi tofu because the savory broth as well as minced leek, ginger and/or Japanese radish toppings brims with the mellow richness of umami. A humble dish made to meticulous perfection!

Sashimi (Sliced Raw Fish)

Japan is an archipelago of islands, so this means that the locals in many prefectures catch their own fish from the seas. So, it would be a pity not to eat sashimi which showcases the abundant essence of the sea. Best to order an assortment of sashimi - including maguro (tuna), hamachi (yellow tail) and salmon - and enjoy how it packs a umami punch different from that of grilled fish!

Karaage (Deep-fried Chicken)

Another dish that will leave a lasting impression on your tastebuds is karaage. Sink into sweet comfort with small crunchy pieces of chicken. Since they are coated in a potato starch batter and marinated in ginger and soy sauce, they will burst with flavour in your mouth. 

Okonomiyaki (Pan-fried Thick Pancake)

Do you know that there are two main kinds of okonomiyaki? In Osaka, okonomiyaki is made by mixing various ingredients like shredded cabbage, eggs, flour and pork belly slices into a batter and cooking it on a griddle. However, Hiroshima natives prefer to layer up the filling as their okonomiyaki cooks and then fold it in half. One thing’s for sure. Regardless of the version, okonomiyaki tastes absolutely heavenly when topped with okonomiyaki sauce.

Shio Kyabetsu (Salted Cabbage)

As you dig into the succulent meat dishes, it can be easy to forget to order vegetables and have a balanced meal. Thank goodness, you won’t forget to order shio kyabetsu in a hurry. It’s basically raw cabbages sprinkled with salt and other seasonings - but tastes so heavenly that you will find yourself ordering a few plates.

Yakisoba (Fried Noodles)

After tucking into various dishes, you’d probably want to eat something more filling. Yakisoba is the perfect dish to add extra oomph to your dinner. Since this savory fried noodle dish typically comes with cabbages, bean sprouts and meat, expect the various springy, chewy, meaty textures to be perfectly rendered.

4. Drinks Not To Be Missed In An Izakaya Menu

A delightful aspect of eating at a Japanese izakaya is discovering the foods that pair particularly well with the alcoholic beverages offered. Suffice it to say that many izakayas provide a spellbinding range of alcoholic drinks to support you on your quest. If you would rather not drink, fret not. Help yourself to the equally impressive array of non-alcoholic drinks. Green tea and oolong tea are great palate finishers while soft drinks are a perennial favorites.

Here are some alcoholic beverages you should order to pair with your food: 

o Highballs

Many diners’ tipple of choice is the highball as it is made by deftly mixing Japanese whisky and club soda. Down it with relish and feel your throat being tickled and your spirit uplifted!

o Chuhai

Short for shochu highball, chuhai is similar to a highball, except that it is composed of shochu instead of whisky. If you are keen to drink something uniquely Japanese, you must give chuhai a try since the shochu it uses is made from homegrown potatoes, wheat, or rice. Most people like to infuse it with lemon to sweeten the taste.

o Umeshu

Travelers who have a sweet tooth will take to umeshu, which is a lightly sweet wine made from ume (Japanese apricot). Tastes great on the rocks or when mixed with soda. 

o Beer

No list of drinks in a Japanese izakaya menu would be complete without beer! There are several Japanese pilsner-style draft beers to choose from - including Asahi, Sapporo, Suntory and Kirin - and you will probably find the brand that most appeals to your taste buds after a couple of visits to an izakaya. Whatever your preferred beer is, remember to toast your mates with a hearty shoutout of “kanpai” (Cheers)! 

5. Let’s Visit A Japanese Izakaya

After learning about the various tasty dishes and beverages at an izakaya, you may be raring to visit one and apply what you learn here. Eating at an izakaya is the quintessential dining experience in Japan. Not only do you get your stomach filled and unwind with your travel buddies, but you also immerse yourself in an authentic environment where you observe how the Japanese socialize with each other. So, visit an izakaya during your trip and have a sensational time!