A restaurant where you can enjoy alcohol, food, and a great conversation with friends is an ideal place to practice your Japanese speaking skills. And that’s just what izakaya (居酒屋) is. With these Japanese words and phrases at the ready, you’ll be able to get the most out of your time at an izakaya: a unique style of Japanese bar.
Add even more words and phrases about food to your lexicon by learning Japanese with Rosetta Stone. You’ll be able to apply the vocabulary and grammar you learn in this guide to a broader context through Stories and On-Demand Videos that combine language and culture.
Table of Contents
What is izakaya?
An izakaya (pronounced “ee-zah-kah-yah”) is a type of Japanese bar where you can order Japanese drinks and food. The characters that make up the word izakaya mean “stay” (居), “alcohol” (酒), and “shop” (屋), making its literal meaning a “shop where you stay to drink alcohol.”
As for what makes it unique, think of an izakaya as a bar / restaurant with food similar to Spanish-style tapas. It’s a type of restaurant you generally attend with a group of people to drink, share food, and take your time enjoying the conversation. It is very much a social experience!
What is the difference between a bar and an izakaya?
Izakaya are technically a type of bar in Japan, but they cater to a more specific diner than a typical bar. Bars tend to focus on alcohol, are small with limited seating, and it’s not unusual to go to them alone or with one or two other people. Customers may nurse their drinks at a counter rather than a table. Japanese bars, ultimately, are very similar to those in Western countries.
Meanwhile, izakaya look like other restaurants with plenty of tables meant for groups. You won’t find many people at izakaya who only stop in for a few minutes. Rather, parties get drinks for the whole table and often a variety of appetizer-sized dishes to share among the group as they catch up or enjoy a post-work social event.
What is the difference between omakase dining and an izakaya?
Drinking and eating at an izakaya is the antithesis of omakase dining. The meaning of omakase is “I leave it to you,” as the menu is determined by the chef. It is a formal style of restaurant where food (most often high-quality sushi) is the main focus, and alcohol may or may not be served at all depending on the establishment. What’s more, the meal is typically very expensive—oftentimes upwards of $100!
Food is also important at an izakaya, but it’s a more casual dining experience. The food, while delicious, is cheap (think around $10) and perfect for snacking on while enjoying your drink.
Where can I find izakaya?
Izakaya can be found just about anywhere in Japan. If you’re in a city, head for the downtown area to find your options. There will probably be more than you can count, and discovering them is a great way to practice your Japanese words for travel.
You’ll find plenty of izakaya in Japan’s biggest and most famous cities. In Tokyo, there are dozens of izakaya in Shibuya—a major modern Japanese culture hub. As for Kyoto, visit izakaya in the evening in Pontocho, the historic geisha district, to enjoy a more traditional Japanese atmosphere.
What drinks can I order at an izakaya?
The atmosphere for drinking alcohol is one of the biggest appeals when going to an izakaya. You’ll find a wide range of options from beers to rice wine to liquor. For those who want to pass on alcohol for the night, there is also a variety of non-alcoholic drinks. Oolong tea is popular due to its appearance resembling beer. And, of course, drinking water to stay hydrated is important.
At any Japanese venue that serves alcohol, it’s important to remember that the word many Westerners associate with Japanese alcohol—osake (お酒)—means “alcohol” and not just Japanese rice wine. When there are many options on the drinks menu, it’s a safer bet to order Japanese rice wine with the more specific nihonshu (日本酒).
| Japanese | Pronunciation | English |
| ビールbi-ru | bee-roo | beer |
| お酒・日本酒osake / nihonshu | oh-sah-keh / nee-hohn-shoo | Japanese rice wine |
| 梅酒umeshu | oo-meh-shoo | plum rice wine |
| ハイボールhaibo-ru | hah-ee-boh-roo | whisky cocktail |
| 焼酎shōchū | shoh-choo | distilled hard liquor |
| チューハイchu-hai | choo-hah-ee | fruit-flavored shōchū |
| レモンサワーremonsawa- | reh-mohn-sah-wah | cocktail of shōchū, soda water, and lemon juice |
| お水omizu | oh-mee-zoo | water |
| コーヒーko-hi- | koh-hee | coffee |
| ウーロン茶u-roncha | oo-rohn-cha | oolong tea |
| コーラko-ra | koh-rah | soda |
| オレンジジュースorenji ju-su | oh-rehn-jee joo-soo | orange juice |
What is izakaya food?
On izakaya menus, you’ll find many finger foods, appetizers, and fried foods generally meant to be shared among the group. Foods with the suffixes -age (揚げ, fried) and -yaki (焼き, grilled) dominate the menu. This includes yakitori (焼き鳥, grilled chicken on a skewer) and other easy-to-eat foods. For those who want a larger meal for themselves, popular noodle and rice dishes are options at many izakaya.
The cuisine is often a mix of washoku (和食, Japanese cuisine), chūka-ryōri (中華料理, Chinese cuisine), and yōshoku (洋食, Western cuisine). Standard Japanese fare like sushi is common, but Chinese-style noodles or Western french fries are also on most menus.
| Japanese | Pronunciation | English |
| 揚げ物agemono | ah-geh-moh-noh | deep-fried food (category) |
| から揚げkara-age | kah-rah-ah-geh | deep-fried food (usually boneless chicken) |
| 焼き物yakimono | yah-kee-moh-noh | grilled food |
| 卵焼きtamagoyaki | tah-mah-goh-yah-kee | rolled omelet |
| 串焼きkushiyaki | koo-shee-yah-kee | grilled skewers / kebabs |
| 焼き鳥yakitori | yah-kee-toh-ree | grilled chicken on a skewer |
| 餃子gyōza | gyoh-zah | pan-fried or steamed dumplings |
| 枝豆edamame | eh-dah-mah-meh | soybeans (usually still in the pod) |
| 鍋nabe | nah-beh | hot pot |
| ラーメンrāmen | rah-mehn | noodles in broth with toppings |
| 丼ぶりdonburi | dohn-boo-ree | rice bowl |
How to order at an izakaya
To order food in Japanese, start with one or two dishes, or even more if the entire group is sharing. Some izakaya even offer all-you-can-eat (tabehodai, 食べ放題) or all-you-can-drink (nomihodai, 飲み放題) options for a limited amount of time.
As for ordering specific quantities, Japanese counters are essential. Counters work by adding a number to a suffix associated with the type of item. Because alcohol is served in cups or glasses, the standard suffix for “glass” will work for all of them. For food or other orders, the generic counter ~tsu (～つ) is sufficient.
| Japanese | Pronunciation | English |
| ～杯~hai | ~hah-ee | [number] glass(es) |
| 一杯ippai | eep-pah-ee | one glass |
| 二杯nihai | nee-hah-ee | two glasses |
| 三杯sanbai | sahn-bah-ee | three glasses |
| ～つ~tsu | ~tsoo | generic counter |
| 一つhitotsu | hee-toh-tsoo | one item |
| 二つfutatsu | foo-tah-tsoo | two items |
| 三つmittsu | meet-tsoo | three items |
With those in mind, you’re ready to place your order.
| Japanese | Pronunciation | English |
| お勧めは何ですか？osusume wa nan desu ka? | oh-soo-soo-meh wah nahn dehs kah | What do you recommend? |
| これはいくらですか？kore wa ikura desu ka? | koh-reh wah ee-koo-rah dehs kah | How much is this? |
| ビールを一杯下さい。bi-ru o ippai kudasai. | bee-roo oh eep-pah-ee koo-dah-sah-ee | One beer, please. |
| 餃子を二つ下さい。gyōza o futatsu kudasai. | gyoh-zah oh foo-tah-tsoo koo-dah-sah-ee | Two orders of gyōza, please. |
Do you have to order food at an izakaya?
You don’t necessarily have to order food, but you will probably be paying for it regardless. Most izakaya add a small cover charge (usually less than $10) for otōshi (お通し) or tsukidashi (突き出し), which are small appetizers that come with or before your first drink. Foods like potato salad or pickled vegetables are common.
You will likely spend at least an hour at an izakaya, and the menus are often multiple pages long with dozens of options. Why not take advantage of the variety and sample a few?
Japanese dining phrases to use at an izakaya
At any Japanese restaurant, there are certain Japanese greetings and expressions to remember out of politeness and cultural awareness. Keep these in mind to dine like a native Japanese speaker!
| Japanese | Pronunciation | English |
| 乾杯！kanpai! | kahn-pah-ee | Cheers! |
| 頂きますitadakimasu | ee-tah-dah-kee-mahs | Thank you for the meal. (said before eating) |
| ごちそうさまでしたgochisōsama-deshita | goh-chee-soh-sah-mah-dehsh-tah | Thank you for the meal. (said after eating) |
| お願いしますonegaishimasu | oh-neh-gah-ee-shee-mahs | Please |
Dining etiquette at izakaya
As always, good manners are important no matter where you choose to dine, and this includes drinking in Japan. These apply at izakaya, other restaurants, or even eating at a Japanese home:
- If hot towels are offered to clean your hands when you sit down at the table, use them.
- If sitting at a floor-height table, you may be expected to take off your shoes. Look to see what others are doing to follow their example, or ask the staff if you’re unsure.
- Wait for everyone to have their drink before drinking your own. Saying a group kanpai (cheers) is a good indicator that you’re free to start!
- Rather than pouring your own drink, it’s polite to allow someone to pour yours. Likewise, you should pour others’ after their glasses are empty if they want another drink.
- When taking food from a shared plate, use the back end of your chopsticks to avoid spreading germs.
- Do not take food from another person’s chopsticks or vice versa, as this is similar to a funeral rite. Passing food should only be done by using your chopsticks to place the food on plates or bowls.
- If eating noodles, slurping is actually polite! It’s a sign that you’re enjoying your meal.
Laws about drinking alcohol in Japan
The laws and social norms surrounding alcohol in Japan may be different from where you live. It’s important to find out what you can and cannot do before taking your first sip of osake.
- The minimum drinking age in Japan is 20 years old.
- Drinking in public is legal in Japan, although it is still expected that people maintain decorum and don’t act drunkenly.
- Driving under the influence—including motor vehicles and bicycles—is strictly prohibited and highly prosecuted.
Public transportation is easily accessible in Japan, but if you’ve missed the last train, cheap overnight accommodations like capsule hotels are a good backup. Plan safe options after leaving the izakaya ahead of time!
Paying the bill in Japanese
Once you’ve finished your meal, it’s time to pay. When you’re ready, call the staff with Sumimasen! or “Excuse me!” and ask for the check. You will likely pay at a counter rather than at your table. Also, tipping is not done in Japan and may even come off as rude.
Depending on how many native Japanese people there are in your party, splitting the bill may be done differently than you’re used to. Instead of each person paying for the amount they ate and drank, the total might be split evenly among the party for simplicity and to avoid awkwardness when determining everyone’s final contribution. Check with your group before the bill is brought out to know how payment will be settled.
| Japanese | Pronunciation | English |
| すみません！sumimasen! | soo-mee-mah-sehn | Excuse me! |
| お会計お願いします！okaikei onegaishimasu! | oh-kah-ee-keh oh-neh-gah-ee-shee-mahs | Check, please! |
| 現金でお願いします。genkin de onegaishimasu. | gehn-keen deh oh-neh-gah-ee-shee-mahs | (I will be paying with) cash, please. |
| カードでお願いします。ka-do de onegaishimasu. | kah-doh deh oh-neh-gah-ee-shee-mahs | (I will be paying with) card, please. |
| 別々でお願いします。betsubetsu de onegaishimasu. | beh-tsoo beh-tsoo deh oh-neh-gah-ee-shee-mahs | (Split the bill) separately, please. |
Kanpai! Cheers to learning Japanese!
Whether you’re there for the drinks, the food, or time with friends, izakaya are a unique way to enjoy Japanese dining. Each aspect of izakaya can be found at other types of restaurants—such as beer at bars and food at omakase restaurants—but nowhere else will you get the same experience.
No Japanese restaurants in your area? Take advantage of Rosetta Stone’s Dynamic Immersion method to enhance your Japanese learning. Listen to lessons recorded by native Japanese speakers, read along with the audio, and even record yourself speaking for live feedback on your pronunciation.
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