Ekiben 駅弁

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.

  • 思い出横丁 · Set in Omoide Yokocho, Shinjuku
  • 6-minute lesson
  • With Ekiben Pass

Phrases

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.

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).

生ビールnama biiru · draft beerくださいkudasai · please give

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.

おかわりokawari · refill / anotherお願いしますonegaishimasu · please

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.

飲み放題nomihoudai · all-you-can-drinkはwa · (topic)ありますかarimasu ka · is there?

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.

ノンアルコールnon'arukooru · non-alcoholicのno · 's / of飲み物nomimono · drink(s)はwa · (topic)ありますかarimasu ka · is there?

What you’ll hear

Staff talk fast. Here’s what they are likely to say at this stop, and a good answer.

onomimono wa nan ni nasaimasu ka?

What would you like to drink?

At an izakaya, drinks come first. Food orders follow.

You

nama biiru kudasai

A draft beer, please.

kochira, otooshi desu

Here's your starter (otooshi).

A small dish served automatically when you sit down. It comes with a table charge.

You

arigatou gozaimasu

Thank you.

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.

You

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.”

Practice 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

  1. irasshaimase! onomimono wa nan ni nasaimasu ka?

    Welcome! What would you like to drink?

  2. Your turn: Order a draft beer.

    nama biiru kudasai

    A draft beer, please.

  3. hai, nama biiru desu! kochira, otooshi desu.

    Here's your draft beer! And here's your starter.

  4. Your turn: Raise your glass with your friend.

    kanpai!

    Cheers!

  5. sumimasen, sorosoro rasuto oodaa desu.

    Excuse me, it's nearly last orders.

  6. Your turn: Your glass is empty. Order one more before it's too late.

    okawari onegaishimasu

    Another one, please.

  7. hai, nama biiru no okawari desu ne!

    One more draft beer, coming up!

Phrases from Ekiben content v3