Izakaya restaurants in Japan
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Bamboo
Bamboo is one of Kyoto’s more approachable izakaya. It’s on Sanjō-dōri, near the mouth of a traditional, old shopping arcade. You can sit at the counter here and order a variety of typical izakaya dishes, watching as the chefs do their thing.
reviewed
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B
Anji
This smoky izakaya -style fish specialist is a great place to sample a wide variety of sashimi, cooked fish and standard izakaya dishes. You can sit on the tatami mats in the zashiki (communal room), but you’ll have to have a high tolerance for cigarette smoke. If you don’t smoke, and don’t want to be smoked, we recommend the counter. There is no English menu, so you’ll have to bring a Japanese-speaking friend or point at what your neighbours are eating. Anji is on the 2nd floor, up a flight of steps festooned with signs (in Japanese) advertising the menu; you’ll know the place when you see it.
reviewed
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Tetsugen Nikusho
There's no shortage of bizarre (at least to a Western palate) delicacies on offer at Tetsugen Nikusho, which offers refined rustic yet sophisticated ambience in the heart of Tokyo. Depending on how brave (or drunk) you're feeling, you can sample a whole range of traditional Japanese meats including rabbit, boar, deer, horse and frog as well as a whole bunch of sea critter parts that don't really translate into English.
Sadly, there isn't an English menu on offer, though sometimes it's better not to know what you're eating.
reviewed
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Toki-No-Ma
True to the Ebisu spirit, this izakaya is a class act. For your drinking pleasure, the attentive staff can recommend any number of limited-edition sakes, which change constantly depending on the season. For your eating pleasure, the attentive staff can recommend any number of unique dishes including satusma-ryouri (Kyūshū-style cuisine), wild game birds and a full assortment of seafood delicacies. Although there is no English menu, set courses are available if you can't speak Japanese.
reviewed
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E
Hayashi
Ensconce yourself in your hori-kotatsu or on a log bench, drape a napkin made of kimono fabric over your lap, and pretend you’re somewhere in the Japan Alps. Kindly staff grill yakitori over irori (hearths) set into your table and serve it on rustic pottery while you swig shōchū from Kyūshū. It’s a great place to observe local salarymen and the occasional actor from the theatre down the street. It’s upstairs from Lotus Palace.
reviewed
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Okinawa
If you’ve never been to the far-flung tropical islands of Okinawa, then this speciality izakaya will have you racing to the travel agent. Start things off with a cold Orion beer or a potent glass of awamori (Okinawan-style shōchū ), and then jump right into Okinawan staples such as gōya chanpū (sautéed bitter melon and egg), mimiga (pig ears), sōki-soba (Okinawan-style soba ) and rafutē (stewed pork belly with brown sugar).
reviewed
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Seigetsu
Located in a district increasingly becoming dominated by chain pubs, this traditional izakaya is perfect for all of your dining and drinking needs, especially since there are on-call shōchū consultants to help you match your meal to your booze. Although there isn’t an English menu, the speciality here is charcoal-grilled meats and seasonal vegetables…not so difficult. It’s across the street from Café de Crie.
reviewed
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Tarafuku
Ambitious, young gourmets have turned the izakaya (pub-eatery) concept on its head, installing a stainless-steel kitchen in what looks from the outside like a falling-down house. East-West fusion dishes might include airy potato croquettes in a fried tofu crust; tomato and eggplant au gratin; house-cured ham, or beef, in wine sauce; plus wine and cocktail lists. Tarafuku is located diagonally across from both Tōyoko Inns.
reviewed
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Jin Robata & Beer Pub
A flashing neon fish sign directs you to this welcoming, international pub. There's plenty of great food to go with your booze. Pick from the rows of fresh fish on display, then watch it being grilled behind the counter.
reviewed
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Yappari Tako
Although Yappari Tako serves up the full complement of your standard izakaya offerings, the real reason you're here is to sample their speciality tako (たこ; octopus) dishes. If you're having hesitations about sucking down a few plates of tentacled titbits, the attentive staff will offer you a glass of the shōchū of the day in order to ease your inhibitions and relax your throat.
reviewed
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Inakaya
You’re bombarded with greetings at the door, and the action doesn’t stop at this old-guard robatayaki (a place that grills vegetables, fish and meat to go beautifully with booze). It’s a party, it’s joyous, it’s boisterous – and that goes for the profusion of toothsome dishes as well as the attitude one must have when the bill arrives. Live large!
reviewed
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Sakana-Tei
This unpretentious but slightly posh izakaya is a sake specialist much sought after by connoisseurs, and is good value for the quality. Though there's no English menu, you can point to dishes displayed on the counter, and start with a sampler set of sake. Call ahead for reservations, but turn off your mobile phone once you're in-house rules.
reviewed
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Izakaya Wakana
The Kagoshima-Chūō branch of this famous local eatery is a two-minute walk from the station's west exit. For tasting, try the kushiage moriawase (barbecue skewer selection; five pieces ¥650) or miso oden moriawase (hotpot selection; five pieces ¥700). Order off a picture menu, or sit and point from the counter. It's across from Tōyoko Inn.
reviewed
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Shizuka
Friendly, traditional izakaya serving favourites like oden and yakitori (skewers of grilled chicken). Some more challenging local specialities are on the English menu.
reviewed
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Zu Zu
This Pontochō izakaya is a fun place to eat. The best bet when ordering is to ask the waiter for a recommendation. The fare is sort of nouveau-Japanese, with menu items such as shrimp with tofu and chicken with plum sauce. Look for the white stucco exterior and black bars on the windows.
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Komachi-Ichiba
Two sister restaurants make up the 'Komachi market', upstairs from Kamakura station. Fūrin is a smart izakaya (Japanese pub/eatery) specialising in fish and seafood like sashimi and grills, while Tenten offers tempura. Expect the sake and spirits to flow at night.
reviewed
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Uontana
This upscale izakaya is a good spot to try a range of sake and elegantly presented Japanese fare (sashimi, fried dishes, salads). The design is sleek, modern and more Tokyo than Kyoto. There is an English menu and a tiny lantern out the front.
reviewed
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Gataro
This a cosy little spot that does creative twists on standard izakaya themes. Look for the glass front with credit card stickers on the left as you head north in the arcade. Unlike most izakaya, this one has an English menu.
reviewed
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Kuishinbō
A cheerful corner izakaya open till 02:00 serving unusual tofu and daikon steaks, and chawan-mushi (savoury custard), and around ¥100 yakitori skewers - good for a late-night snacking.
reviewed
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A-Bar
This student izakaya (pub-eatery) with a log-cabin interior is popular with expats and Japanese students for a raucous night out. The food is fairly typical izakaya fare, with plenty of fried items and some decent salads. It's a little tough to find – look for the small black-and-white sign at the top of a flight of steps.
reviewed
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Yume-hachi
Not to be outdone, everything on the menu at this izakaya is ¥330. Some of the dishes are surprisingly good, especially considering the price. There's an English sign.
reviewed
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Yokobachi
It's quiet on this backstreet, but energetic in Yokobachi's leafy courtyard and rangey suite of rooms around an open kitchen. Standout small plates include spicy tebasaki (chicken wings), an inventive Caesar salad with sweet potato and lotus root chips, delicately fried mābō-nasu (eggplant in spicy meat sauce) and, if you dare, basashi (¥1200). There are about a dozen shōchū liquors to choose from.
reviewed
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Wine
The pick of the all-you-can-drink joints in Tokushima is this three-floor number that offers the usual spread of well-presented Japanese staples in generous proportions. For ¥3500 you will get seven courses, including sashimi and delicious salads. Get there early on weekends.
reviewed
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Uofuku
Uofuku is a fabulous curb-side izakaya (pub-eatery) on a quiet backstreet behind the arcade. Fish is the order of the day, handpicked from the tank by the door. The menu is a mess of kanji; try the katsuo tataki (around ¥1200) or ask for osusume (a recommendation). This is a good place for adventurous eaters to try shutō – the pickled and fermented innards of the bonito fish (¥450), which locals regard as a delicacy.
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Umiya Goofy
Cram into this popular student izakaya to enjoy some good greasy food, all of which goes very well with the ¥380 draft beers. There's an English sign. Note: we're not entirely sure why they call the place 'Goofy'. Maybe it's because the prices are so low it's just silly.
reviewed