Izakaya in the Lower Eastside of New York highlights craft beers from Japan
By: Hospitality Principles
Tags: Japanese Beer, Restaurant, Japanese Food, Craft Beer, Japanese

www.izakayajuraku.com

If every craft beer tells a story, Izakaya Juraku has 50+ stories from Japan with the largest selection of Japanese craft beer in the city if not the country. Izakaya Juraku, a newly opened Japanese Izakaya style restaurant in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, focuses on Japanese craft beer. Bringing the craft beer scene of Japan to the city of New York, the restaurant offers an extensive selection of over 50 different craft beers. In a city where you can find almost anything, a good selection of Japanese craft beer has been missing and the team at Izakaya Juraku has made it their mission to bring an exciting new experience to the city of New York. With everything from IPA to Ales and Lagers, you are sure to find something that will fit your taste.

Izakaya Juraku offers all of its craft beers at 8 and 10 dollars making them not only the best selection of Japanese craft beer but also one of the cheapest in the city. And for those who would rather drink the more common Japanese beers such as Sapporo, Kirin, Asahi or Orion, Izakaya Juraku has these available on tap for 7 dollars, or 5 dollars during happy hour which is available from opening to 8 PM.

In addition to the vast selection of Japanese craft beers, Izakaya Juraku offers a delicate collection of Sakes by the glass and bottle at competitive prices since the majority of the sake is served from isshobin (1.8 Liter bottle). While the selection of sake is smaller in comparison to the craft beers, there is plenty to choose from with a wide variety of styles starting at just 7 dollars a glass. Cocktails are designed according to the season with Japanese ingredients. Currently, seasonal cocktails such as the persimmon sour (a take on a gin sour) or the chestnut old fashion prepared with aged sake are also available. For those who don’t drink alcohol, there is a selection of non-alcoholic options such as the Calpico soda or a refreshing yuzu soda with a hint of shichimi pepper.

The small, 50 seat restaurant is located on Ludlow Street and has an 8 seat bar, a cozy alcove seating tucked away from the street side entrance as well seating in the back for larger tables of 6 or more making it a great place to come with large groups. The atmosphere is intimate with an exposed brick wall covered in antique Japanese street signs and calligraphy of the menu items. The lighting is kept warm with exposed Edison bulbs throughout the space and white granite accents around the bar.

With a food menu designed to complement the drink list, there are standouts such as the Anbai ale and miso cured bacon which is made in-house by marinating pork belly in red miso with Hitachino Anbai ale with just a hint of maple syrup then smoked with cherry wood for a minimum of 7 days. The Kara-age (fried chicken), which is moist on the inside and crisp on the outside, is served with spicy mayo or grated daikon radish topped with a sweet Japanese mustard dressing. They do offer some of their most popular dishes during the happy hour ranging from $4-$6. Many happy hour selections are offered from fried shishito peppers to a signature kara-age served with spicy mayo.

Izakaya Juraku is located at 121 Ludlow Street between Delancey and Rivington, just two blocks from the Essex Street Station. They are open from Tuesday through Friday from 11:00to 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm, Saturday from 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm and Sunday from 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Reservations are not needed but recommended for primetime weekends and large parties. Reservations can be made on Yelp, by clicking on the reserve button on their Instagram page @izakayajurak or from their website at www.izakayajuraku.com and for or contacting their media manager at sheena@hospitalityprinciples.com