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Nomihodai

In Japan, if you are looking for a place to drink cheaply or a space to have a good time with a large group, izakaya (Japanese style bars) with nomihodai (all you can drink services) are usually the best places to go.

Students, co-workers, and friends get together and divide the expenses. The group is usually given a time period ranging from ninety minutes to two hours in which to drink all the beers, cocktails, sours, shochu (distilled spirit), sake, wine and soft drinks they like. The quality and selection of the drinks differ depending on which type of nomihodai you choose and either full course meals or individual side dishes can accompany your drinks.

Izakaya feature many types of food including barbeque, nabe (hot pot), Korean or regional foods, rare beers and sake, and some provide a karaoke room, so the choices are endless. You may also find izakaya that offer unique finger foods specially prepared so that their patrons can play games such “Russian roulette,” where everyone chooses a piece of food from a plate and one piece is usually filled with something hot like wasabi.

Nomihodai get-togethers are not always rowdy events. One alternative option is to go to a restaurant with nomihodai instead of a bar. Traditional Japanese restaurants where you can enjoy nomihodai along with full course meals in a private room may be a more pleasurable option for families or close friends looking for a quieter atmosphere. Lounges or beer parlors with nomihodai are a unique alternative for high quality beer and cocktails.

Regardless of your taste, make sure to find out the details including atmosphere and price on the nomihodai service at the izakaya or restaurant of your choice. Not only does each place serve a different range of drinks in their nomihodai, but each has a set of different rules concerning the time limit and the minimum and maximum number of people.Some places are also sometimes willing to negotiate items such as menus.