Izakaya New From Japan

Just when you thought it couldn't get any better than ramen and sushi a new Japanese sensation hits the states. Fun and trendy izakaya bars are now opening up throughout the US. These are great places to get a sampling of true Japanese food and drink. They;re also meeting places too, replacing American sports bars for entertainment and quick nibbles.

Izakaya bars are the topic of Julia Moskin's latest piece for today's New York Times Dining section. These are meccas for entertaining in Japan and are sort of similar to local sports bars and maybe chain restaurants here in the States. They serve all sorts of different nibbles similar to tapas bars in Spain along with a variety of beers and alcoholic beverages. Izakaya bars are just a great Saturday night place to go  to where friends can catch up over good food. New Yorkers are only getting into them now and discovering just how much fun they can be.


The principle of the izakaya plate is similar to the bento box. Different types are compartmentalized into four categories:raw pickled, fried and simmered. It starts off, though with crunchy and salty edamame and ice cold beer.Then sake and sochu, a highly addictive distilled drink made from either, sweet potatoes, barley or sugar cane, There is usually raw veggies followed by octopus marinated in wasabi,There can also be squid along with skewered meats The end is something called ozachike which is supposed to ward off hangovers. This is a mound of rice covered in tea or dashi, milk with a morsel of fish and seaweed on top.

Izakayas are a great place to enjoy good Japanese food and drink, If you;re lucky to have them in your neighborhood go to one. It'll be a fun night of enjoying different flavors and textures along with good company and conversation.