DRINKING WITH LOCALS IN "TORI ICHI YAKITORI"
- José Carlos Gómez Delgado
- May 14, 2016
- 3 min read
Can you get drunk in a bar or Japanese izakaya with only 1000 yen in your pocket? Well, that depends on the strong you are on alcohol, but considering that in most of the places you are going to accompany drinks with some typical izakaya dish, the answer to that question is NO. But as there are also fun without going to extremes like getting up at 2 in the afternoon at our hostel with a hangover, we will review in several post the cheapest places in our vicinity.
The challenge is what has been set out at the beginning of the post: testing the nearby places trying not to exceed our short budget. There is more to look at our competitive prices to understand that our hostel is aimed at backpackers limited budget. Many guests ask us for a good place to have drinks. To satisfy this demand with real knowledge, we thought it was best to do some research on the ground visiting each week a different bar in the area and review it in a post. It is an arduous investigation, I know, but anything for the welfare of our customers.
Today we present Tori Ichi Yakitori, a specialized chicken skewers izakaya located in the middle of a small alley that can be seen from our windows . The facade, lined with neon lights and lanterns, stands out in the night like a lighthouse for those looking for a fun time, and once passed the door we realized that this external warmth is in perfect harmony with the atmosphere inside the place. Reiko san, the madam of the establishment, welcomes you energetic at the same kindly, offering a seat and recommending a dish if you go a little confused trying to unravel the menu.
At that time I remembered the limit of 1000 yen, and soon I realized I was going to lose the challenge at the very beginning. Beer pint (Nama chu) is at quite regular price of 600 yen. Yakitori dishes cost 500 yen three skewers, or 700 if you decide on the "moriawase set" in which can try five different. Then there is also the option to order them one by one with prices starting at 100 yen. Displaying prices and adding here and there, it was possible not to be over budget. Change beer for a glass of 500 yen's sake could also help to adjust the budget. However, I found it a little sad to restrain for 500 or 600 yen more, so I decided on the set and a well served beer.
It seemed I had come too early, because there were few customers to be Saturday night. Without further ado I attacked the tsukidashi, that little snack served in many bars and izakaya (they charge to you even if you have not ordered) and beer. Soon after came the main course and was really delicious. The few customers who had were concentrated in private conversation. When I thought that would return to the hostel early, just after finishing my food, the situation began to suddenly change, resulting in one of my best Japanese nocturnal experiences.
First a young man and his father in low, who already had quite a few drinks over, began to talk to me, and as is customary in Japan, I was invited to drink. Suddenly the bar was filled, and new customers also began to talk to me and to invite me. Being able to speak Japanese help, but most of the customers were able to speak broken English, which is the first language they try when talking to a foreigner. So, if your knowledge of Japanese is limited to "Konnichiwa" and "Arigatou", do not be discouraged.
Talking to customers I got to know many different lives concentrated at that time in a small place aiming to have a fun and relaxing time. Time flew, and well into the night, an absolutely great guy invited me to go with him somewhere else. So with enough free drinks in the body, I ended the night at a Snack Bar singing karaoke and talking about samurai movies with this new friend.
Although I did not manage to limit myself to the initial budget, the final balance can not be more favorable. Tori Ichi Yakitori, with its incredibly cheerful atmosphere and friendly customers, is a place with great potential to create you great memories to take you back. An infallible recommendation.
The counting of food and drink was as follows:
Yakitori set ................................................................................. 750 yen Tsukidashi ................................................................................... 250 yen Beer................................................................................................. 600 yen Beer # 2 ............................................................................................. 0 yen Sake....................................................................................................... 0 yen Sake No. 3 ......................................................................................... 0 yen Beer # 3 ............................................................................................. 0 yen Tarako-Mayonnaise with cucumber .................................. 0 yen All you can drink whiskey and sake in Snack Bar .......0 yen
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