At night, the neon lights in Japan flickered, and office workers in suits and ties streamed out of the office buildings one after another. They didn’t seem to be in a hurry to go home. Instead, they walked through the bustling streets and towards the dim and narrow alleys, disappearing into the small shops with lanterns on and curtains hanging. These small shops are izakayas, which are the must-visit places for entertainment for every Japanese man after work.
Izakaya is a Japanese restaurant that offers alcoholic beverages and meals. It is said to have originated in Toho. At that time, alcohol was sold by the pound. To enable customers to drink alcohol immediately after purchase, the operators of sake shops began to offer some simple dishes as accompanimings, and this was the prototype of izakayas.
In the 1970s, izakayas were perceived as places where only male company employees drank Japanese sake. Later, with the passage of time, women also began to enjoy the rich variety of alcoholic beverages and meals in izakayas. Later on, izakayas gradually became places for people to have meals together, chat with friends, and even hold small-scale gatherings.
In today’s Japan, whether it’s the bustling commercial streets or the towns and villages where trams shuttle, izakayas with lanterns hanging in front of their doors can be seen everywhere. Here, there are office workers who have worked hard all day, as well as young and beautiful women, elderly people with white hair, and students with fresh faces.
Izakayas in big cities have been endowed with another meaning. This is an extension of workplace life. Here, veteran employees lead new ones to engage in lively discussions, and new employees integrate into their new social circles. This is also a place where office workers can freely express their stress and dissatisfaction. They order a small glass of wine here, have a simple side dish to go with it, and joke around under the influence of alcohol.
Interestingly, the Japanese are a people who attach great importance to politeness and quietness. They do not make loud noises in public places for fear of disturbing those around them. However, in izakayas, it seems that such limitations no longer exist. It is always bustling and noisy here. Everyone can speak loudly here without having to consider or care about the feelings of those around them.
In an izakaya, whether you come in groups to chat with friends, catch up and share your rare joy. It’s still better to enjoy a moment of leisure time alone, reflecting on the worries that haven’t been played out. Everyone can find a comfortable corner in an izakaya to settle themselves and their mood, where they can be lively or quiet, free and easy.
Therefore, some people say that an izakaya is not merely a place for drinking. It is a symbol of Japanese male culture and often appears in Japanese literature and film and television works. As one of the most distinctive Japanese restaurants, it is also an indispensable part of Japanese culture.
The reason why izakayas have become a cultural symbol of Japan, constantly attracting everyone with their unique charm, is inseparable from the fact that they offer high-quality and low-priced alcoholic beverages and meals. A few small dishes and a few glasses of wine can usually be settled for two or three thousand yen, but if you go to a restaurant, the price will be at least several times higher.
Moreover, after a few glasses of fine wine and some delicious food, everyone will shed their usual disguises, set aside class and status, and chat freely about all kinds of things under the sun.
Izakayas offer a wide variety of alcoholic beverages. There are Japanese sake, shochu and awamori produced in Japan, as well as local and foreign beers with unique flavors. There are also malt fermented beers that taste very similar to beer. In addition, there are cocktails, sour cocktails, sake tea, fruit wine and so on.
The sake provided by each izakaya also has a unique flavor due to differences in origin and cooking methods. Of course, there won’t be a shortage of beverages like juice and tea either.
It is worth mentioning that the meals provided by the izakaya are the essence of it. Generally speaking, the types of food in each izakaya are no more than barbecue, fried food, oden, etc. However, each store has its own unique features, and the menu will also be changed according to the season, introducing some delicious dishes made with seasonal vegetables.
Some izakayas mainly serve grilled chicken kebabs and other barbecued dishes to go with alcohol. Guests sitting at the bar can also watch the owner grilling the kebabs right in front of them. Some izakayas mainly serve oden, while others operate in the form of trolleys. There are also izakayas that mainly serve seafood dishes, where guests can enjoy sashimi and sushi at affordable prices.
Behind these seemingly simple delicacies lies the dedication of every izakaya owner. Although the store is not large, from the decoration and arrangement to the presentation and cooking, everywhere can make people feel warm and friendly.
Therefore, some people say, “Although the food in izakayas is not as meticulous and exquisite as that in high-end restaurants, it is full of sincerity: the ingredients are fresh, the seasoning is careful, the cooking is meticulous, the flavors are distinct, and it brings a simple joy and satisfaction like home-cooked meals.” Having another pot of wine, both the stomach and the heart feel so at ease and comfortable.”
Perhaps, just as depicted in “Midnight Diner”, behind the simple ingredients and meticulous cooking in an izakaya lies a series of warm, touching, ordinary yet extraordinary stories between the owner and the diners. Perhaps, this is the significance of izakayas to Japan.
Next time you visit Japan, don’t forget to go to an izakaya, order some Japanese sake and signature dishes there, and have a drink. Only in this way can your trip to Japan be more complete.