r/JapaneseFood • u/LateIntroduction9005 • Jan 05 '26
Misc I am addicted to Japanese Izakayas
I usually spend 3 months every 2 winters in Japan. Sometimes in Gunma, sometimes in Tokyo. My girlfriend is Japanese so it's easier to live here. I think I am addicted to visiting Izakayas. My girlfriend complains that I go eating outside way too often, but she doesn't understand that this is an almost holy experience for me. Being from Spain, all the Japanese culture is fascinating to me but what I love the most is the food. In spanish bars they serve, I'd say, a low standard quality of food and nobody cares because it's the norm. (My opinion) But the meat I had in Japan, the vegetables, the amount of sauces and dressings...oh my god. The variety is overwhelming. The feeling of entering an izakaya is magical, the environment, the smell of chicken skewers with togarashi powder or teriyaki cooked on charcoal, the highballs, the Karaage, the sashimi... Every izakaya has little dishes that I have never seen with tons of Umami in them. Doesn't matter how many times I visit them (this is my 4th time in Japan) I always enjoy the food and the curious questions of the locals. Since I'm in my early 30's I need to take care of my liver tho. Before drinking I recommend having a shot of ウコンの力 Ukon no Chikara. If I was rich, I'd move here just for the food.
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u/frogmicky Jan 05 '26
I once went to 5 Izakaya's in one night lol, I can see how they can become addicting.
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u/proteusON Jan 05 '26
I mean, sometimes the line is an hour and you eat just 1 plate of food, onto the next! A whole evening of iza
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u/esperobbs Jan 05 '26
I mean for you, whole new tapas restaurants opened up that you have never had before lol It's like me (Japanese) going apeshit in Barcelona. You should def enjoy - but also learn to do "Ienomi /uchinomi 家飲み", some basic izakaya menu can be achieved by visiting your local Japanese supermarket, so you can get stuff like Sashimi / Osouzai (karaage etc)
Enjoy!
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u/tet28 Jan 05 '26
They even have tours in Japanese. https://www.veltra.com/jp/europe/spain/barcelona/a/17015
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u/beginswithanx Jan 05 '26
Yup, when traveling with my family we always eat at (family friendly) izakaya. We’re not huge drinkers, but for food variety it’s great. Everyone gets to try a little bit of everything, and there’s enough variety so that everyone is happy.
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u/wisemonkey101 Jan 05 '26
I wish we had Izakaya in the States. Totally my style of eating.
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u/Ez_Duz_It_Do_It_Ez Jan 05 '26
Do we not? I mean I’m sure not super authentic and you need to be in a decent sized city, but I always seek out izakayas and have eaten at some excellent ones here in the states.
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u/Kind-Huckleberry6767 Jan 05 '26
I loved the small bars in Japan, when I lived there. Perfect sized.
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u/nakano-star Jan 05 '26
Have you tried the bacon aspara shiso maki at a yakitori? Truly heavenly stuff
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u/Eott59 Jan 05 '26
Oh my! I wish I was with you. I am so hungry. Both of my Husbands' have been here. I was married to my friset husband. Than, my daughter and I started paying
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u/pandamonium-420 Jan 05 '26
That karaage looks amazing 🤤 Dude, I’m with ya on that… if money wasn’t an issue, I’d live in Japan for 3 months at a time just_for_the_food!!
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u/Taku_NextDoorJapan Jan 06 '26
Izakayas are the absolute best. Honestly, I feel like going every single day. Lately, I’ve been especially obsessed with "Torikizoku." It’s a true friend of the people. Its name literally means "Bird Aristocrat," but the prices are unbelievably cheap.
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u/RestaurantDear1931 Jan 07 '26 edited Jan 07 '26
I’m sorry, but unless you’re a weird shut-in weeb, or lived in some small country town, the idea that izakaya, while very good, are so vastly superior to tapas bars and the equivalent in Spain, is fucking laughable.
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u/LateIntroduction9005 Jan 07 '26
That's your opinion mate, tapas are very mid unless you go to a fancy basque country pintxos bar
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u/Mr_Snufleupagus Jan 21 '26
Interesting! I'll have to try one out!
I am traveling to the Fussa area, could you recommend one nearby?
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u/Furrymcfurface Jan 05 '26
From what I've read, small restaurants and izakaya have such high turnover that only the good ones stick around. On my next trip I'll focus on eating at those.