居酒屋 (Izakaya) is a Japanese style pub that mainly serves food that can be easily shared with others. Food varies from 焼き鳥 (yakiori, which is skewered chicken), edamame, noodles, etc. Alcohol is of course served at these institutions. One of our favourite 居酒屋 is one named 半兵ヱ (Hanbei).

We like it because the place is fairly cheap with food starting from just 50 yen (approx. U.S. 50 cents), and drinks are also reasonably priced. Price aside, what’s more interesting is that once you enter the restaurant, you are taken to the 昭和 (Showa) era which is 1920s to 80s period in Japan with music, and movie posters and advertisements from that era decorated throughout the restaurant. Nice music, vintage environment and cheap eating 🙂

This particular Hanbei is located in the 道玄坂(Dougenzaka) area of 渋谷 (Shibuya), but there are Hanbei locations all over Tokyo, all with the same kind of atmosphere and prices 🙂