Kurage

Smoky, crunchy Baby Star snack noodles and cream cheese topped with meat miso make for easygoing pairings with shochu at Kurage in Shimokitazawa. One visitor’s account notes that the smoked Baby Star came with nuts and Kaki no Tane rice crackers, adding a savoury twist. The cream cheese with meat miso was described as rich and enjoyable either spread on crackers or eaten as it was. A house-made lemon sour, chosen on that visit, rounded out the pairing. Shochu is available in styles made from sweet potato, barley, rice and brown sugar, making it a good choice for anyone keen to compare different varieties.

Other options include sweet potato crisps and an assortment of dried fruit. They offer a lighter or sweeter bite between the more savoury snacks. Shochu is the focus of the drinks list, but visitors have also mentioned craft beer, gin, Japanese whisky and mezcal. Kurage may suit a night centred on shochu, or one that starts with beer or a cocktail rather than sake.

Some visitor accounts mention jazz and records, making the bar an option for a leisurely drink or a conversation with friends. It opens at 17:00 on weekdays and 15:00 at weekends, so it may also work for an early drink on a Saturday or Sunday.