Izakayas in Japan

[yaschan]

Read full article at:
http://hanami.ath.cx/izakaya.html
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Did you ever wonder what those big red lanterns in front of the entrances mean? You are standing in front of Izakaya (居酒屋) - a traditional Japanese bar. Different from other bars is the extensive food menu. Most places you can get yakitori, seafood dumplings, sushi, sashimi, fried chicken.. Izakaya is a place where eating and chatting with your friends is usually as important as drinking.

The drink menu in Izakaya is usually large. You can get Japanese sake, shochu, whisky (perhaps Suntory), vodka, most popular red and white wines, coctails. The ones wanting non alcohol drinks can also get something they like.

Japanese have custom to eat always something while drinking, perhaps since the Japanese are traditionally sensitive for alcohol and can get drunk very easily. However in Izakaya you usually can't really get large foods enough to satisfy your hunger.

[Doug M]

Thanks for sharing this bit of info yaschan. Funny, as much time as I have spent at izakayas, you would think I would have known that

I looked at your website and enjoyed it. You should add it to our links directory so that more visitors to Japan-101 will find it. As a registered member, you may add the link yourself and I will be sure to approve it.

[yaschan]

thank you very much. I added the link there. :)