I want to try out a new izakaya. Do you have any recommendations? Whats your favourite and why?
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**update**
Also, any izakayas to avoid and why?
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I live in Tokyo but any location in Japan is fine as it can be used for future reference.
24 comments
People gonna hate but Torikizoku all the way.
Specifying where you are would be a good idea. I bet someone can recommend you a cool izakaya in Amami Oshima but the odds of you visiting it soon are slim.
The one down the street run by the little old lady and her daughter that is only open 4-5 nights a week and puts it’s calendar outside so you never know if it’s open or not until you see the lantern on or you stop by on your way past and check. She’ll always try to put you next to someone talkative, her food is passable, the beer is relatively cheap, and it’s a rousing good time – I sometimes get recognized with people actually waving when I’m riding through the neighborhood.
Although karaoke night can make your ears bleed…
Was a big fan of the [Tsukada Nojo](https://www.tsukadanojo.jp/) chain – good menu w/ something for everyone and solid vibe, was my go-to for friends/family visiting the country for the first time because it was a better experience than the typical cheap nomihodai-heavy chains w/o breaking the bank.
Truth be told haven’t stopped in since the pandemic kicked off but sooner or later I’ll make my way back.
Don’t remember the name but it’s close to a school in Tokamachi, Niigata
You might need to ask on the local sub reddit
This one traditional looking izakaya in Takahagi, Ibaraki.
Is this what you are looking for? Cause you weren’t very specific.
I haven’t been to izakaya since the pandemic started, but I used to like “en” (maybe google 和食 酒 えん) for a reasonably priced major upgrade to somewhere like watami.
I agree with everyone saying probably a non-chain type place in your local area.
But If you’re looking for chains, I’m a sucker for Isomaru.
Assuming this is about Tokyo. Otherwise, my recommendations would be in Kyushu.
Ugokumachi (Ryukyu university east exit location)
Since you didn’t specify your area, I’ll give you a chain. Isomaru Suisan. Really good for lunch too.
Can’t say I ever paid attention to the name, but there’s one a couple streets down from where I live. Tiny place, just the one guy running it. Prices are okay, beer is cheap. No set menu, he just sells what he has that day, but it’s always very good and fresh. Super nice guy, great place to have a chat with the locals since it’s always the same people who go there.
Don’t ever go to the Hokkaido chain izakayas. Overpriced like you wouldn’t believe.
540 yen for two yakitori
Uetomi ウエトミ near Yoyogi Koen Station… also many others in that area
Lol I don’t know if you’ll venture down to Okayama, but my fav is Binchou. Great yakitori and actual crab in カニクリームコロッケ.
My favorite was a small place in Tohoku called 隠家. The tabenomi hodai was cheap and offered endless cubes of steak, a huge list of drinks, and all the takoyaki russian roulette you could ask for.
In Tokyo, my best experience were at 甘太郎. Namely the Shibuya branch, but I feel like that disappeared at some point? Last time I went was like 6 years ago when my friends didn’t live at each end of Japan but still.
Also, not necessarily avoid but 磯丸水産 doesn’t serve their introductory appetizer to foreigners. I think it was kanimiso, but it’s been too long since I’ve been.
I personally like Shimonya (四文屋), its has more choice variation and its cheaper than torikizoku, their shochu with plum syrup is the best.
I like Kaburaya. We’re more likely to go more specialised places. Kushi or sushi, yakiniku or yakitori. Out in the prefectures there are always more one of a kind gems. I fondly remember the izakaya opposite the danchi in Ibaraki where whole families used to go. Good times.
まり花 maribana in Sangenjaya or Ooimachi. The one in ooimachi is much bigger and nicer. Craft beer taps with good old Izakaya food and for some reason a nice selection of Thai food.
Akafudaya Benkei in Akasaka is dope if you like this certain vibe (old, dilapidated, sticky tables). Uotami is the shit too (haters gonna hate).
Maybe I have a shit taste but I’ve tried many yakitori specialty places and it was never as tasty as Torikizoku.
Yama-Chan is my favorite of the chains.
Aside from the local independents I visit, definitely Hanbey for me.
Shirubee (汁べゑ) in Shimokitazawa was by go-to for taking visitors. The food is good quality with a big selection, and the shop itself is a quirky and memorable shape.