Irasshaimase! What izakaya staff call out, and why it's so loud

What irasshaimase and hai, yorokonde mean, why staff call your order out to the kitchen, and whether you need to reply.

Walk into an izakaya and you may hear “Irasshaimase!” from one member of staff, then another, then another. When you order, someone calls out again. It can sound like everyone is shouting — but it’s all part of how staff welcome you.

Two staff members working in an open izakaya kitchen, seen from the counter with a beer mug in front — Staff at work behind the counter.

Irasshaimase: “Welcome!”

いらっしゃいませ (irasshaimase) means “Welcome!” Staff call it out when you walk in, often one after another.

You don’t need to reply. A smile or a nod is fine.

Looking into a small izakaya through a parted noren curtain, with customers at the counter and a cook in the back — Step through the noren and you'll likely hear “Irasshaimase!”

Hai, yorokonde: “With pleasure!”

When you order, some izakaya answer with はい、喜んで (hai, yorokonde) — “Yes, with pleasure!”

A staff member in an apron writing down an order on a notepad at an izakaya table, next to a menu and a beer — Order a dish and you might hear “Hai, yorokonde!”

Calling your order to the kitchen

Staff may call your order out toward the kitchen. For example: 生一丁！ (nama itchō!) — “One draft beer!”

A staff member pouring draft beer from a tap into a mug, with the kitchen behind — “Nama itchō!” — and your beer is on its way.

Why so loud?

To welcome you. The greeting is a way of saying they’re glad to have you here.
To let the whole team know you’ve arrived. When one person calls out, the others often follow, so everyone knows there’s a new guest.
To keep the place lively. Calling out keeps the room busy and cheerful.

Can’t read what’s on the menu? Izakaya Buddy’s Scan the menu explains each dish in English.

Back to the full evening: How an izakaya works.