Izakaya

❃ Izakaya

とりあえず生ビールをお願いします。 [ Toriaezu nama biiru o onegaishimasu. ]: Let's start with a draft beer.
飲み放題にしたいです。 [ Nomihoudai ni shitai desu. ]: We'd like the all-you-can-drink option.
これはお通しですか。 [ Kore wa otooshi desu ka. ]: Is this the table charge appetizer (otoshi)?
注文はタブレットからですか。 [ Chuumon wa taburetto kara desu ka. ]: Do we order from the tablet?
おしぼりをもらえますか。 [ Oshibori o moraemasu ka. ]: Could we get some wet towels (oshibori)?
焼き鳥の盛り合わせをお願いします。 [ Yakitori no moriawase o onegaishimasu. ]: An assortment of yakitori, please.
塩ですか、タレですか。（店員） [ Shio desu ka, tare desu ka. (Ten'in) ]: Salt or sauce? (Staff)
塩でお願いします。 [ Shio de onegaishimasu. ]: With salt, please.
今日の刺身は何ですか。 [ Kyou no sashimi wa nan desu ka. ]: What is today's sashimi?
ハイボールを二つください。 [ Haibooru o futatsu kudasai. ]: Two highballs, please.
氷なしのお水をお願いします。 [ Koorinashi no omizu o onegaishimasu. ]: Water without ice, please.
乾杯！ [ Kanpai! ]: Cheers!
おかわりをください。 [ Okawari o kudasai. ]: Another round / Refill, please.
ラストオーダーのお時間です。（店員） [ Rasuto oodaa no ojikan desu. (Ten'in) ]: It's time for last call. (Staff)
割り勘にしましょう。 [ Warikan ni shimashou. ]: Let's split the bill.

Cultural notes

Visiting an "Izakaya" (居酒屋), a traditional Japanese gastropub, is an absolutely essential cultural experience. These lively, informal establishments are the beating heart of Japanese after-work socialization, where colleagues let off steam and friends gather. The very first cultural shock for many foreigners is the concept of the "Otoshi" (お通し). Automatically served to you in a small bowl as soon as you sit down, this appetizer acts as a mandatory table charge. You cannot refuse it, and it will be added to your final bill. It is best to view it as a cultural entrance fee that comes with a small, seasonal snack. When ordering, the golden rule of the Izakaya is to start with a collective drink order to get the party going quickly. The universal phrase is "Toriaezu nama biiru o onegaishimasu" (とりあえず生ビールをお願いします - Let's start with a draft beer for now). Once the drinks arrive, nobody takes a sip until everyone raises their glasses and shouts "Kanpai!" (乾杯 - Cheers!). Izakayas are also immensely famous for their "Nomihoudai" (飲み放題) systems, which offer an all-you-can-drink menu for a set period, usually 90 to 120 minutes. This is incredibly cost-effective if you plan to drink heavily. In modern Izakayas, calling the waiter is often unnecessary because ordering is done via a digital tablet (タブレット) mounted on the table, often with English language options. You simply tap the pictures of the small tapas-style dishes you want, such as "Yakitori" (焼き鳥 - grilled chicken skewers), and they magically appear moments later. At the end of the night, if you are with friends, you might suggest "Warikan ni shimashou" (割り勘にしましょう - Let's split the bill), a very common and practical tradition in Japan.

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