Restaurants in Japan offer women the chance to eat as much as they want for free, but there's a big catch.
Aiskekiya chains have taken cities like Tokyo, Chiba, Osaka and Yokohama by storm with their very unconventional way of serving female guests.
Women can eat as many dishes as they want for free for 30 minutes, but must undertake a kind of group speed date with men in the restaurant.
Once the women have finished eating and drinking, they are paired up in groups with male strangers, where they can continue to drink, chat, rent a karaoke room or play games together such as Hungry Hippo, Jenga and Uno.
'Aisekiya' is a combination of the words aiseki (sharing tables) and Yes (shop) – take Tinder and speed dating, mix it up and throw it into one izakaya (informal bar or pub).
Aisekiya restaurants in Japan are filled with table booths, except the main purpose of these booths is not just to order a meal but also to get assigned a date in a speed dating twist
Men have to pay per thirty minutes for the unlimited Japanese matchmaking fun, while women dine for free
Once the females have finished eating, they are paired up in groups with male strangers, where they can continue drinking, chatting, renting a karaoke room or playing games together such as Hungry Hippo, Jenga and Uno.
Travel enthusiast Tiffany Chen, who currently lives in Tokyo, documented her experience visiting an Aisekiya restaurant with a friend in November.
Placing one video on her Instagram account @tiffanytchen, the popular blogger urged her 437,000 followers to visit the Japanese chains to “find a boyfriend in Japan and get free unlimited food and drinks at the same time.”
Chen explained in the footage that she had to visit her Japanese friend because “you have to speak Japanese,” and once inside, the pair ordered several plates of food from the menu for free.
The content creator captured footage of her friend playing board games while eating and drinking, while showing options to order a blanket or a phone charger if needed.
Chen went on to talk about how “guys started showing up,” but he didn't immediately join the girls at their tables. However, before she and her friend were about to leave, they were randomly paired with a group of three men.
Despite the initial nerves and lack of romantic spark, the group hit it off and had an enjoyable time as friends, with drinks and conversations flowing.
This Aisekiya in Ginza, Japan, lists rules that both men and women must follow, including: “Don't force others to drink alcohol,” “Don't dress too casually,” and “No selling or soliciting is allowed.”
Aisekiya chains allow you to serve your own alcoholic drinks, while the food bar offers bread, soup, salad, edamame, chicken ketchup rice, yakisoba, karaage and fries
Travel enthusiast Tiffany Chen, who currently lives in Tokyo, documented her experience visiting an Aisekiya restaurant with a friend in November
After eating several plates of food, Chen and her friend were randomly paired with a group of three men, with whom they continued to drink and talk.
Some viewers who watched Chen's video flocked to the comments to share their thoughts on the alternative matchmaking service – with many appearing uncomfortable and suspicious of the idea.
One irate viewer wrote: 'The reason why guys are tired of dating is because girls literally only go for free food,' while another simply joked: 'Female privilege.'
A third person commented: 'This establishment sounds like it is funded by married men who just want some entertainment.'
Another wrote: 'Sounds like Tinder – they're married with kids and lying about their names lol.'
A final cynical viewer said: 'How can it stay afloat? I would have a rule that the ratio is only 1:1 throughout the night.”
Some viewers flocked to the comments to share their thoughts on the alternative matchmaking service – with many appearing uncomfortable and suspicious of the idea
The couples formed at Aisekiya restaurants have no previous connections, making every interaction a fresh start. When singles are frustrated and longing for an escape from the virtual dating realm, Aisekiya tries to promise a refreshing change.
It also serves as an opportunity for foreigners studying and working in Japan to develop their Japanese language skills and learn more about the culture.
The experience appears to have a positive impact on several groups of people: women can eat and drink for free, single men can pick a date without having to bother picking someone at a bar or club, and expats who speak little Japanese can hone their skills.
One woman sparked heated debate after revealing she went on six dates every week for two years so she didn't have to go shopping. She says this has saved her a total of around €15,600 (about €12,261).
Vivian Tu, a former Wall Street trader, first opened up about the controversial hack in a video posted in 2021, explaining how she used the money she saved by eating free food on dates to invest and buy luxury items, such as a black Prada bag. .