Izakayas (Japanese bars) serve drinks and food in a relaxed atmosphere, with home-style dishes and various snacks that go great with alcohol. This article introduces typical izakaya food menus!
1. Hiyayakko (冷奴)
This is seasoned cold tofu, eaten with soy sauce or other toppings.
2. Edamame (枝豆)
These soybeans are harvested before ripening, boiled in their pods and sprinkled with salt. They’re an absolutely perfect accompaniment to a cold beer, must order item!
3. Tsukemono Pickles (漬け物)
These are made from vegetables pickled in salt, kelp, vinegar, rice bran or through other processes.
4. Salads (サラダ)
Most of the izakaya has seasoned cabbage in the salad menu.
Izakayas have fresh vegetable salads, potato salads and salads featuring root vegetables like radish and burdock.
5. Aemono (和え物)
Seasonal vegetables are dressed with tofu, sesame, miso and other ingredients. Varieties include white, sesame, and Nuta (vinegared miso that gives the dish a sweet-and-sour flavor).
6. Takowasabi (たこわさび)
Raw octopus is cut into bite-size pieces and marinated in wasabi and dashi broth. The dish stands out for the firm texture of raw octopus, which is a perfect pairing with wasabi.
7. Ume Suisho (梅水晶)
This snack is made from finely chopped shark or chicken cartilage, dressed with shredded dried plums and dashi broth.
8. Ray Fillet (Ei-Hire エイヒレ)
This snack is made by drying the flesh of a ray. The umami flavor seeps out with every bite, and it’s a typical side dish served with alcohol.
9. Shima-Hokke (しまほっけ)
This grilled dish is made from dried Atka mackerel. It has a strong umami flavor and rich fattiness, so it goes well with Japanese sake.
10. Smelt (ししゃもShishamo)
This grilled dish is made from dried smelt. It’s cheap, delicious and a friend to working people everywhere.
11. Surume-Ika (スルメイカ)
This dried snack is made by slicing a squid in half, rolling it out flat, and drying it in the sun. While it’s quite tough, its chewiness and uniquely deep flavor can be habit-forming.
12. Roasted Chicken Skewers (Yakitori 焼き鳥)
Yakitori consists of pieces of charcoal-grilled chicken on a skewer. Izakayas serve thigh meat, liver, and many other parts of the chicken. There is also a rich variety of food on skewers not made with chicken, including vegetables, pork and beef.
13. Deep-Fried Food (揚げ物Agemono)
This category includes tempura, karaage fried chicken, and fried shrimp. Every izakaya puts their own spin on their deep-fried food items.
14. French Fried (フライドポテト)
These are usually cut to the size of French fries, and they can also be cut a little thicker.
15. Pizza (ピザ)
Some izakayas serve pizzas just like Italian places, and others substitute mochi or bread for the crust.
16. Fried Chicken (Karaage 唐揚げ)
Karaage is seasoned chicken thigh meat, rolled in cornstarch or another flour mixture, then deep-fried. It’s the Japanese version of fried chicken.
17. Nankotsu Karaage (軟骨唐揚げ)
This is chicken cartilage, coated in flour and deep-fried. Its crunchy texture makes it a popular snack.
18. Fried Dumpling (餃子Gyoza)
These dim sum dumplings are made by wrapping meat in a thin flour shell. They can be fried or cooked in soup, among other serving methods.
19. Sashimi (刺身)
Sashimi is fresh raw fish, sliced into easy-to-eat pieces, then flavored with wasabi and other condiments. It’s often served on a platter with several different types.
20. Grilled Fish
Fresh seasonal fish is cooked straight on the grill. Another variant known as hoshimono, where the fish is dried for several days before grilling, is also a popular item.
21. Stew (煮付けNitsuke)
This stew is made by slowly simmering fish, vegetables and other ingredients in a broth made from soy sauce and mirin to create a blend of flavors. Standard nitsuke include the pictured motsu nikomi and niku-jaga.
22. Sushi (寿司)
This famous dish is made by topping a hand-rolled vinegared rice ball with sashimi.
23. Soup Noddle (Ramen ラーメン)
A soup noodle dish, ramen’s roots are in China, but Japanese ramen has evolved into its own unique food.
24. Fried Rice (チャーハン)
Originally from China, this dish is chopped vegetables and meat, stir-fried with rice.
25. Ochazuke (お茶漬け)
Ochazuke is rice topped with an item like seaweed, salmon, pickled plums, or tsukemono. The rice is then covered in dashi broth and tea and eaten.
26. Creative Cookery (創作料理 Sosaku-Ryori)
This refers to an izakaya’s unique specialty dish. There is no shortage of interesting dishes which show off what makes a given place special.
Article: Matcha JP