Japan's pub — small plates, sake and good company.
What it is
An izakaya is a casual drink-and-share restaurant — the Japanese pub. You order rounds of small plates (sashimi, grilled fish, karaage, pickles, tofu, skewers) to go with beer, sake or highball. Lively, affordable, and central to social life.
What it means
The word means "stay-drink shop." The izakaya is where Japan unwinds — after work, with friends, pouring for each other (never your own glass) under warm lights. It's less about any one dish than the rhythm of the evening.
How an izakaya works — otoshi, ordering, the bill
The otoshi (お通し). Minutes after you sit down, a small dish you didn't order arrives — edamame, a dressed salad, a simmered bite. That's the otoshi (called tsukidashi in Kansai), and it doubles as the table charge: usually ¥300–¥700 per person, added to your bill automatically (as of July 2026). It isn't a mistake, and in practice it can rarely be refused — treat it as the seat charge that stands in for tipping.
Ordering. Drinks come first; then order small plates in rounds as the evening goes — nobody orders everything at once. Call staff with a clear "sumimasen!" (excuse me), or use the touch-screen tablet / QR menu many chains now hand you.
The bill. You normally settle one tab per table at the register on your way out, and the otoshi appears there as a per-person line. Splitting evenly — warikan — is completely normal among friends.
Why it's wonderful
Variety and ease: a dozen little tastes, no formality, and a window into how locals actually eat and drink. Start with an otoshi (small starter) and let the night unfold.
What to order
- Otoshi (table starter)
- Sashimi & grilled fish
- Karaage (fried chicken), edamame
- Sake, beer or highball
For special diets
Mixed menus — easy for pescatarians, workable for vegetarians (edamame, tofu, pickles, grilled vegetables). Confirm dashi for strict diets.
FAQ
- What is Izakaya?
- Japan's pub — small plates, sake and good company.
- Is Izakaya vegetarian, vegan, halal or gluten-free?
- Mixed menus — easy for pescatarians, workable for vegetarians (edamame, tofu, pickles, grilled vegetables). Confirm dashi for strict diets.
- What is the otoshi — the small dish I didn't order?
- It's the izakaya's table charge in edible form: a small starter, usually ¥300–¥700 per person, added to your bill automatically (as of July 2026). In Kansai it's called tsukidashi, and in practice it can rarely be refused.
- How do I order at an izakaya?
- Drinks first, then small plates in rounds — you're not expected to order everything at once. Call staff with "sumimasen" (excuse me), or use the tablet/QR menu most chains provide.
- How do I pay at an izakaya — and can we split the bill?
- One tab per table, paid at the register on the way out; the otoshi appears as a per-person line. Splitting evenly (warikan) is completely normal.
Recipes and preparation vary by restaurant, so this is a general guide. If you're ever unsure, please confirm directly with the venue before you order — they'll appreciate the heads-up.
