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.

An izakaya (居酒屋) (Japanese: [izakaja]) is a type of informal Japanese bar that serves alcoholic drinks and snacks. Izakaya are casual places for after-work drinking, similar to a pub, a Spanish tapas bar, or an American saloon or tavern.

Yakitori-- chicken grilled over flame on skewers-- goes hand and hand with izakaya-- Japanese style tapas and drinking restaurants. Almost all izakaya offer yakitori, and many yakitori shops run like izakaya, only with less staff.

Typically though, items on the menu will mostly be Japanese dishes with the occasional western food like french fries also available. Standard menu items can include edamame, sashimi, yakitori, yakisoba noodles and fried chicken. As for the menus themselves, they vary from one izakaya to the next as well.