Korean BBQ and Karaoke

Last night combined two classic Japanese activities: Korean BBQ (which they love!) and karaoke. 

Cracking out some classic Craig David. 

Korean BBQ is a type of restaurant where your table has a charcoal grill in the middle, and the meat you order arrives at your table marinated but raw, and you cook it to your liking. We went out with some friends, but honestly when I first thought about going to the restaurant I didn't think it would be very good - I imagined that without a professional cooking the food it would just be plain meat. However, I was very wrong. The meat was absolutely delicious. We ordered platters of different varieties of beef and everyone dug in, trying bits but having no idea what they were. It was all so tender and the marinade was fantastic.

It was also great purely to have good bits of red meat - since we arrived we've been cooking only chicken so my iron intake is probably good now! Meat, beers and red wine - perfect for everyone. 

Afterwards, we went next door to a bar called Slices. It is owned by Canadians and looks like a pretty fancy place. It's really cool: imported craft beers and a ginormous cocktail menu. I had a drunken bubble tea which was fun!

Then... time for karaoke! You don't have to walk far in Osaka to find a suitable place. Karaoke isn't a public display here: you hire an individual room with your friends and sing the songs you want to sing. Every room has a TV screen, microphones, and big comfy booth seats. It's pretty cool and made to look quite classy. We went for 2 hours - it wasn't the cheapest thing in the world but the price includes UNLIMITED DRINKS! You order what you like through a touch pad computer system, or the old fashioned way by picking up the in-room phone. Two minutes later, when you're all singing away to a classic J-Lo anthem, the waiter knocks and walks in with a tray full of your beverages of choice! And there's a huge choice: we were drinking beer, wine, whisky, gin, vodka and various other Japanese liquors. All in all - an incredible night. Drinking with your friends and singing your hearts out couldn't be more fun. I have various hilarious videos I'm considering whether to upload... Here's another cheeky pic so you can guess the vibe.

Last night was the most money we've spent on an evening since we've been here: neither the restaurant nor the karaoke were cheap (they weren't expensive either, but other options are much cheaper). However, it was completely worth it and I think we all genuinely had the best night in a long time.