Izakaya Explained Japanese Pub Culture and Popular Dishes

What Is an Izakaya?

An izakaya (居酒屋) is a casual Japanese drinking and dining establishment where customers enjoy drinks alongside a wide variety of food. It is often described as a Japanese pub, although it also shares characteristics with a bar and casual restaurant.

Rather than ordering a starter and main course individually, diners usually order several dishes for the table and add more as the evening continues. A meal might begin with beer, edamame and sashimi before moving on to yakitori, karaage or grilled fish, with rice or noodles ordered later. Food generally arrives when it is ready and is placed in the centre of the table to share.

What Does the Word Izakaya Mean?

Izakaya is written 居酒屋 in Japanese. The word developed from the idea of staying at a sake shop to drink rather than simply buying alcohol to take away. During Japan's Edo period, some sake shops began allowing customers to drink on the premises and eventually started serving food alongside the drinks.

Modern izakaya range from tiny independent restaurants with a few counter seats to large multi-storey chains. Despite these differences, the basic idea remains the same: casual food, drinks and conversation.

What Is Japanese Izakaya Culture Like?

Izakaya are closely associated with socialising in Japan. Friends may visit at the weekend, while colleagues often gather after work. They are also common venues for birthdays, farewell parties and other group occasions.

The atmosphere can vary considerably. Small neighbourhood izakaya may have only a counter and a few tables, while larger establishments may include private rooms, tatami seating and spaces for large groups. Busy city izakaya can be noisy and energetic, while smaller local venues may have a much more relaxed atmosphere.

Nomikai and after-work drinking

A word often associated with izakaya culture is nomikai (飲み会), meaning a drinking gathering or party. Nomikai are common among colleagues, friends and university groups, and izakaya are well suited to them because food and drinks can be ordered gradually and shared. However, izakaya are not limited to large groups. Couples, small groups and solo diners also visit them.

How Is an Izakaya Different From an Australian Pub?

Both Australian pubs and Japanese izakaya are places where people can relax, eat and drink with friends. One of the main differences is the dining style. At an Australian pub, people often order their own meal, such as a steak, burger or chicken parmigiana.

At an izakaya, several smaller dishes are more commonly shared around the table, with additional food ordered as the evening continues. This makes the distinction between "dinner" and "drinks" less clear-cut, as food and drinks are often enjoyed as part of the same social occasion.

What Food Is Served at an Izakaya?

There is no single standard izakaya menu. Depending on the restaurant, you may find sashimi, grilled meat and seafood, fried dishes, vegetables, tofu, noodles, rice dishes and regional specialities. Here are some of the most familiar izakaya foods.

Edamame

Edamame are young soybeans usually boiled or steamed in their pods and served with salt. They are commonly ordered as a simple snack with beer. The beans are eaten, but the pods are discarded.

Yakitori

Yakitori are grilled chicken skewers. Different parts of the chicken may be used, and they are usually seasoned with either salt (shio) or a sweet-savoury tare sauce.

Karaage

Karaage is Japanese-style fried chicken. The chicken is seasoned, lightly coated and fried until crisp outside and juicy inside. It is often served with lemon or mayonnaise.

Sashimi

Sashimi consists of sliced raw seafood served without rice. Common options include tuna, salmon, kingfish, squid and scallops, depending on the season and availability.

Gyoza

Gyoza are Japanese dumplings commonly filled with minced meat and vegetables. Pan-fried versions typically have a crisp base and a softer, steamed top and are often served with a soy-and-vinegar dipping sauce.

Grilled fish

Grilled fish and seafood are common izakaya dishes. Mackerel, salmon, squid and seasonal fish may be simply seasoned and grilled, making them particularly suitable with beer or sake.

Agedashi tofu

Agedashi tofu is lightly coated tofu that is deep-fried and served in a savoury dashi-based broth. It may be topped with grated daikon, spring onion or bonito flakes.

Takoyaki

Takoyaki are round batter-based snacks containing pieces of octopus. They are especially associated with Osaka but are also commonly found on casual Japanese menus.

Dashimaki tamago

Dashimaki tamago is a soft rolled Japanese omelette made with dashi. The stock gives it a light savoury flavour and tender texture.

Tsukemono

Tsukemono are Japanese pickles. Their acidity and freshness make them a useful contrast to richer fried or grilled dishes.

What Do People Drink at an Izakaya?

Drinks are an important part of traditional izakaya culture, although alcohol is not required.

Beer

Japanese lager is one of the most popular choices. Draft beer may be ordered as nama biru and is commonly enjoyed at the beginning of a meal.

Sake

Sake, also called nihonshu in Japanese, is brewed from rice, water, koji and yeast. Depending on the type, it may be served chilled, at room temperature or warm.

Shochu

Shochu is a Japanese distilled spirit made from ingredients such as barley, sweet potato or rice. It may be served neat, over ice or mixed with water.

Highballs

A Japanese highball typically combines whisky and carbonated water over ice. Its light, refreshing character makes it popular with grilled and fried foods.

Sours and chu-hi

Sours and chu-hi are also common, with flavours such as lemon, grapefruit and ume. Tea, soft drinks and non-alcoholic beverages are widely available as well.

How Do You Order at an Izakaya in Japan?

At an izakaya, it is common to order gradually rather than choosing the entire meal at once. You might begin with drinks and a few dishes, then add more food later. Orders may be taken by staff or placed using call buttons, tablets or QR-based menus.

In tourist areas, English menus and photos are increasingly common, although smaller restaurants may still use handwritten Japanese menus. If you want to ask for a recommendation, you can say: Osusume wa nan desu ka? — roughly, "What do you recommend?"

What Is Otoshi?

One custom that can surprise first-time visitors is otoshi (お通し). At many izakaya, a small appetiser is served automatically after you sit down, even if you did not order it. It may be pickled vegetables, tofu, potato salad or another small dish. Otoshi normally comes with a small charge and often functions as part of the restaurant's table or seating charge. It should not automatically be assumed to be complimentary.

What Do Japanese People Eat at the End of an Izakaya Meal?

Some diners finish an izakaya meal with a final dish known as shime, referring to something that brings the meal to a close. Common choices include onigiri, ochazuke, fried rice, udon, soba or ramen. Rather than ordering something filling at the beginning, diners may enjoy smaller dishes and drinks first before finishing with rice or noodles.

How to Create an Izakaya-Style Meal at Home in Australia

You can recreate the basic izakaya style at home without preparing a large restaurant menu. The easiest approach is to combine several small dishes with different flavours and textures. For example, you might serve edamame, gyoza, karaage, yakitori and cucumber salad, followed by rice or udon.

Japanese groceries can also make preparation easier. Frozen edamame and gyoza, Japanese mayonnaise, ponzu, yakitori sauce, nori and furikake can be combined with homemade dishes to create a varied spread without cooking everything from scratch.

Place the dishes in the centre of the table and share them rather than serving one large individual main course. That simple approach can help recreate the relaxed, shared style of izakaya dining at home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have to drink alcohol at an izakaya?

No. Although alcohol has traditionally been an important part of izakaya culture, drinking is not compulsory. Most establishments also serve tea, soft drinks and non-alcoholic beverages, so non-drinkers can still enjoy the food and social atmosphere.

Are izakaya suitable for vegetarians?

It depends on the restaurant. Dishes such as edamame, salads, pickles and grilled vegetables may appear vegetarian, but dashi, sauces and dressings can contain fish or other animal ingredients. Strict vegetarians and vegans should confirm ingredients before ordering.

What is the difference between an izakaya and a yokocho?

An izakaya is a type of restaurant or drinking establishment. A yokocho literally means a side street or alley and often refers to an area containing clusters of small restaurants and bars. A yokocho may therefore contain several izakaya, yakitori shops and other small eateries.

Summary

An izakaya is often described as a Japanese pub, but it is equally defined by its food and shared dining style. Diners typically enjoy a selection of smaller dishes alongside drinks, adding more food as the evening continues.

From yakitori and karaage to sashimi, gyoza and grilled fish, izakaya menus can cover a remarkably broad range of Japanese food. For Australians interested in Japanese cuisine, the same approach can also be enjoyed at home. A selection of small dishes, Japanese pantry staples and food shared around the table can recreate much of the relaxed spirit of izakaya dining.