Updated: November 25, 2020. The Japanese word izakaya (居酒屋) is made up of three kanji with the meaning, in order, “stay-drink-place.” A spot to grab a drink, settle in, and get comfortable. Sounds about right.

Yakitori is made of bite-sized pieces of meat (usually chicken) served on a bamboo skewer. We decided to up-the-ante and try it with a few of our favorite proteins, such as chicken thigh, whole squid, and king trumpet mushroom. 'Izakaya' is a type of informal Japanese bar that serves alcoholic drinks and snacks.

Omakase literally means “I Leave The Details Up to You” Omakase directly translates to - "I leave it up to you." The term Omakase gained popularity in the 1990s. Omakase, a chef-curated dinner, is famous for its direct interactions with the chef. The customer leaves the order details to the sushi chef.

If you don't drink alcohol, you can also choose a non-alcoholic drink such as a soda or juice. Although most of the izakayas do not have a rigid requirement for a drink, a drink for each person is an unwritten rule of the izakaya. If you need to drink water, you can also ask the staff to give a cup of “お水: omizu”.