What is Izakaya Dishes? Shinjuku Izakaya Foods & Izakaya Guide 2024
Shinjuku is a district bustling with commercial facilities, entertainment venues, office buildings, and tourist attractions. Like other vibrant Tokyo areas such as Shibuya and Ikebukuro, it's popular among tourists for its numerous entertaining spots.
Centered around the massive entertainment district called Kabukicho, you'll find many izakaya - traditional Japanese drinking establishments. These izakaya dishes range from classic favorites to unique house specialties that pair perfectly with alcohol.
In this article, we'll introduce standard izakaya food Shinjuku is known for, followed by several distinctive izakayas offering unique dishes.
Shinjuku's Diverse Izakaya Scene
Shinjuku's izakaya landscape caters to various preferences. You'll find establishments specializing in specific genres like meat or fish, with options ranging from budget-friendly to high-end venues.
Since each izakaya differs significantly in menu offerings and atmosphere, it's recommended to research and identify interesting spots beforehand.
What is an Izakaya?
An izakaya is a Japanese-style establishment serving both alcohol and food. It's primarily a place where colleagues, friends, or solo diners enjoy drinks and dishes together. Most izakayas open in the evening (5-7 PM) and operate until around midnight, with some staying open until early morning.
Compared to overseas bars and pubs, izakayas generally offer both drinks and food at reasonable prices. Each establishment features its unique menu and atmosphere. Options range from lively casual izakayas where customers sit close together to quieter counter-seating establishments with a more refined ambiance.
10 Classic Izakaya Dishes Found in Shinjuku
Edamame
Edamame are young soybeans harvested early. In izakayas, they're served boiled and lightly salted. These popular starter izakaya dishes are particularly well-paired with beer.
Edamame offers a tender texture, subtle saltiness, and distinctive soybean flavor. Rich in nutrients that aid alcohol metabolism and liver function, they're especially recommended for health-conscious diners as one of the healthier izakaya food Shinjuku establishments serve.
Yakitori
Yakitori, a classic izakaya dish, consists of bite-sized chicken pieces skewered and grilled over charcoal. Different parts like thigh meat, liver, and chicken skin are typically skewered separately. The signature texture features a crispy exterior with juicy interior.
This popular izakaya food comes in two main flavors: "tare" (sauce) and "salt." Tare offers sweetness and umami, while salt highlights the meat's natural flavors. Being low in fat and calories, you can enjoy multiple skewers. Perfect for those wanting to explore various chicken parts.
Karaage
Karaage, another beloved izakaya food Shinjuku visitors seek out, is chicken thigh marinated in soy sauce, sake, garlic, and ginger, then coated with flour and deep-fried. While soy sauce flavor is standard, salt and sweet-and-sour versions exist. It's often served with lemon or mayonnaise.
The dish features a crispy exterior and juicy interior, delivering rich fat and strong saltiness. It pairs perfectly with carbonated drinks like beer or highballs.
Sashimi
Sashimi, thinly sliced fresh raw fish artfully arranged, is a must-try izakaya dish. It's typically eaten with soy sauce and wasabi (Japan's traditional condiment for sushi and sashimi). The combination of soy sauce's saltiness and wasabi's heat enhances the fish's natural flavor.
Popular izakaya sashimi varieties include tuna, known for its rich umami, and salmon, celebrated for its sweetness and melt-in-your-mouth texture. Fatty sashimi pairs excellently with sake, whose acidity creates a refreshing taste experience.
Okonomiyaki
Okonomiyaki, a staple izakaya food Shinjuku establishments serve, is a savory pancake made with wheat flour batter, cabbage, pork, and eggs, grilled on an iron plate. It's typically topped with special okonomiyaki sauce and mayonnaise.
The dish offers a crispy surface and fluffy interior. Its rich sauce compliments light alcoholic beverages. As a sharing dish, it's perfect for enjoying conversation with friends or groups while dining.
Potato Salad
Potato Salad is a popular izakaya dish made by mixing mashed potatoes with cucumber, ham, carrots, eggs, and mayonnaise. Known for its smooth texture and mild flavor, it's commonly enjoyed with beer or sake at izakayas.
The charm of potato salad lies in how its appearance and taste vary significantly between izakayas. Some versions feature homemade corned beef or onsen egg, while others incorporate seafood. In Japanese izakayas, it's a popular dish that helps cleanse the palate between heavier foods.
Hiyayakko (Cold Tofu)
Hiyayakko is chilled tofu topped with green onions, ginger, bonito flakes, and soy sauce. This simple, refreshing izakaya food is particularly popular during Japanese summers.
Known for its creamy, smooth texture, it allows you to directly taste the clean flavors of tofu combined with the toppings. Many izakayas in Shinjuku offer creative variations, some topped with seafood, kimchi, or cheese. It's recommended when you want to refresh your palate.
Nikomi (Simmered Dishes)
Nikomi is a slow-cooked dish of beef tendon or offal (called "motsu") simmered with vegetables and konjac in a sauce typically seasoned with soy sauce, mirin, and sake.
The long cooking process results in melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, offering rich, authentic meat flavors. This izakaya dish is especially popular during cold winter months, often enjoyed with warm sake.
You can find this on the menu at most casual izakayas in Tokyo. Recommended when you want to warm up your body.
Two Popular "Shime" Foods
In Japan, there's a culture of eating "shime" (finishing dishes) after drinking. People often enjoy these dishes while having final conversations at drinking parties.
Shime not only satisfies hunger but also helps settle alcohol-affected digestion and reduces intoxication. Many establishments in Japan stay open past midnight to accommodate this custom.
Ramen
Ramen is the quintessential shime dish in Japan. It consists of wheat noodles in broth flavored with soy sauce, salt, miso, or pork bone, topped with char siu pork, bamboo shoots, nori seaweed, and eggs.
Each shop offers unique combinations of broth, noodles, and toppings, ranging from light to rich flavors. Recommended for those wanting to experience Japanese drinking culture's tradition of ending with a hearty meal.
Ochazuke
Ochazuke is a popular finishing dish for relaxing the body. It's made by pouring green tea or dashi (broth made from meat, vegetables, or dried ingredients) over rice, topped with salmon, pickled plum, or nori. It's characterized by its gentle flavor as the warm tea or dashi seeps into the rice.
The catechin in the tea is said to inhibit fat absorption, making it recommended for those wanting to enjoy a healthy finish to their izakaya food experience in Shinjuku.
5 Exceptional Izakaya Restaurants to Enjoy Authentic Izakaya Food in Shinjuku
Motsuyaki Uchan (Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho)
Source: Tabelog
Motsuyaki Uchan is a casual izakaya specializing in motsu-nikomi (simmered offal) and various drinks. Their signature motsu-nikomi features a melt-in-your-mouth texture with rich flavors, perfectly complemented by their popular refreshing lemon sour cocktail. Beyond motsu-nikomi, guests can enjoy various offal dishes including motsu-sashi (raw offal) and motsu-yaki (grilled offal).
The intimate seating arrangement naturally encourages conversation between strangers, adding to the authentic izakaya experience. Recommended for those seeking authentic izakaya food in Shinjuku's lively atmosphere.
Address: Honami Building, 1-2-7 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 16:00 - 23:00 (L.O. 22:00)
Closed: Never
Phone: 03-5909-5890
Official Website: https://shinjuku-omoide.com/shop/ucchan
Godaigo (Shinjuku NS Building)
Source: Hot Pepper Gourmet
Godaigo offers Kyoto-style oden, kushiyaki (grilled skewers), and fresh seafood dishes. This sophisticated izakaya boasts panoramic night views of Shinjuku. Their oden, a traditional dish of ingredients simmered in dashi broth, stands out for its natural flavors without artificial seasonings.
The light seasoning of their kushiyaki and seafood dishes makes them perfect izakaya dishes to enjoy with alcohol without feeling heavy. Recommended for those seeking refined Japanese cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere.
Address: 29F Shinjuku NS Building, 2-4-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30-14:30, 17:00-23:30; Sat 16:00-23:30; Sun/Holidays 16:00-22:30
Closed: Dec 31, Jan 1, 4th Sunday of Feb, 1st Sunday of Aug
Phone: 03-5909-8721
Official Website: https://daiwa-j.com/brands/godaigo/shinjuku_ns/
Sumibi Yakitori & Seafood Izakaya Ajito
Source: Tabelog
Located in bustling Kabukicho, Ajito offers all-you-can-eat yakitori and sashimi courses with unlimited drinks. Their sashimi, sourced directly from the market, provides exceptional value with high-quality fish at all-you-can-eat prices. The extensive drink selection makes this a perfect spot to explore different Japanese beverages.
Perfect for those seeking quality izakaya food in Shinjuku at reasonable prices.
Address: 2F 10NK Building, 1-23-12 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Mon-Sat 12:00-05:00 (L.O. 04:30); Sun 12:00-23:30 (Food L.O. 23:00, Drinks L.O. 23:30); Holidays/Before Holidays 17:00-05:00 (L.O. 04:30)
Closed: Never
Phone: 050-5589-7385
Official Website: https://ajito.foodre.jp/
Torikizoku Shinjuku Minami Branch
Source: Tabelog
Torikizoku Shinjuku Minami Branch is a nationwide chain of casual izakaya where all menu items are uniformly priced at 370 yen.
The izakaya food mainly consists of yakitori made from domestic chicken, with approximately 30 varieties of yakitori alone. Despite the affordable price, each dish is well-seasoned with a crispy exterior and juicy interior, offering satisfying portions. Additionally, with about 50 types of alcoholic beverages available, guests can sample various drinks at reasonable prices alongside their meals.
Recommended for those wanting to visit an izakaya with extensive menu options or try different types of yakitori.
Address: 9F Denen Shinjuku Building, 4-1-13 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Mon-Fri 16:00-04:00 (L.O. 03:30), Sat-Holidays 15:00-04:00 (L.O. 03:30)
Closed: New Year's (Dec 31-Jan 1)
Phone: 050-3647-3549
Official Website: https://map.torikizoku.co.jp/detail/288/
Robatayaki Zekkochoteppen
Source: Tabelog
Robatayaki Zekkochoteppen is an izakaya in Shinjuku famous for its robatayaki and fresh fish dishes. Robatayaki involves grilling seafood, meat, and vegetables over charcoal until perfectly cooked.
At Zekkochoteppen, dishes are prepared right in front of customers, allowing them to experience the sounds and aromas of cooking. Their specialties include charcoal-grilled chicken thigh and tsukune (chicken meatballs), which are particularly recommended for their aromatic and juicy qualities.
The establishment offers over 30 types of alcohol, with qualified staff available to recommend drinks, adding to its appeal.
Recommended for those who want to enjoy watching their food being prepared or experience robatayaki-style izakaya dishes.
Address: 3F Asada Building, 1-14-5 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Mon-Thu, Sun, Holidays 17:00-23:00 (Food L.O. 22:00, Drinks L.O. 22:30), Fri-Sat 17:00-23:30 (Food L.O. 22:30, Drinks L.O. 23:00)
Closed: Irregular
Phone: 050-5872-4492
Official Website: https://zekkocho-teppen.jp/
