Food 食 · Stop F06
居酒屋
Izakaya Japanese: kanpai and beyond
Omoide Yokocho is a maze of tiny yakitori bars by the tracks in Shinjuku. Grab a stool, order a drink, and join the fun. Order a beer, make a toast, get a refill, and ask about all-you-can-drink and alcohol-free drinks.
Phrases
乾杯！
かんぱい！
kanpai!
Cheers!
In a group, wait until everyone has a drink, raise your glass, and only then take the first sip.
生ビールください
なまビールください
nama biiru kudasai
A draft beer, please.
In quick orders, を is often dropped. Staff may just call it 生 (nama).
おかわりお願いします
おかわりおねがいします
okawari onegaishimasu
Another one, please.
Works for another drink, and for a refill of rice too.
飲み放題はありますか？
のみほうだいはありますか？
nomihoudai wa arimasu ka?
Do you have all-you-can-drink?
A set price for a set time, often 90 to 120 minutes. Some places require the whole table to join.
ノンアルコールの飲み物はありますか？
ノンアルコールののみものはありますか？
non'arukooru no nomimono wa arimasu ka?
Do you have non-alcoholic drinks?
Most izakaya have soft drinks and oolong tea, and many have non-alcoholic beer.
What you’ll hear
Staff talk fast. Here’s what they are likely to say at this stop, and a good answer.
お飲み物は何になさいますか？
onomimono wa nan ni nasaimasu ka?
What would you like to drink?
At an izakaya, drinks come first. Food orders follow.
生ビールください
nama biiru kudasai
A draft beer, please.
こちら、お通しです
kochira, otooshi desu
Here's your starter (otooshi).
A small dish served automatically when you sit down. It comes with a table charge.
ありがとうございます
arigatou gozaimasu
Thank you.
ラストオーダーですが、よろしいですか？
rasuto oodaa desu ga, yoroshii desu ka?
It's last orders. Anything else?
Said before closing time, or when your all-you-can-drink time is nearly up.
大丈夫です
daijoubu desu
We're fine, thanks.
Culture tip
The Otoshi Charge
At many izakaya, a small dish called otooshi (お通し) arrives as you sit down, even though you didn't order it. It's a table charge, usually a few hundred yen per person, added to your bill. It's not a scam, just part of the izakaya experience.
“The little starter dish you get when you sit down at an izakaya is free.”
It's otooshi, a table charge of a few hundred yen per person added to your bill.
Practise scene
One More Round
A tiny yakitori bar in Omoide Yokocho. You and a friend squeeze onto the last two stools.
Mr. Saito · Bar owner
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いらっしゃいませ！お飲み物は何になさいますか？
irasshaimase! onomimono wa nan ni nasaimasu ka?
Welcome! What would you like to drink?
-
Your turn: Order a draft beer.
生ビールください
nama biiru kudasai
A draft beer, please.
-
はい、生ビールです！こちら、お通しです。
hai, nama biiru desu! kochira, otooshi desu.
Here's your draft beer! And here's your starter.
-
Your turn: Raise your glass with your friend.
乾杯！
kanpai!
Cheers!
-
すみません、そろそろラストオーダーです。
sumimasen, sorosoro rasuto oodaa desu.
Excuse me, it's nearly last orders.
-
Your turn: Your glass is empty. Order one more before it's too late.
おかわりお願いします
okawari onegaishimasu
Another one, please.
-
はい、生ビールのおかわりですね！
hai, nama biiru no okawari desu ne!
One more draft beer, coming up!
Scene complete! You earned the Omoide Yokocho, Shinjuku stamp.
Phrases from Ekiben content v3