TOKYO | Hidden behind an unassuming door on the second floor of an old Shibuya office building, you’ll find one of the city’s most unique izakayas. It’s called SG Low, from award-winning bartender Shingo Gokan’s SG Group. The team is behind multiple “World’s 50 Best” bars in Tokyo and Shanghai, and you can see that DNA as soon as you walk into SG Low.
Inspired by New York’s Lower East Side, and Shibuya in Tokyo, SG Low is a speakeasy meets izakaya that places equal emphasis on food and drinks. It works as a venue to enjoy a full meal, or a few drinks with snacks.
The food menu is a fun one, featuring izakaya favourites and comfort food with a twist. Loaded ‘okonomiyaki’ fries are topped with bonito flakes, red ginger, aonori, Kewpie, and okonomiyaki sauce; while creamy mac and cheese is topped with truffle, spicy mentai (pollock roe), and chives. Even the relatively simple raw wagyu handroll, is exceptional.
For the ultimate umami indulgence, be sure to order the uni and bone marrow noodles. House made mazemen noodles are finished with an anchovy miso sauce, before being topped with bottarga and uni, and roasted bone marrow scooped out of the bone at the table.
To drink, there’s a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. Lemon sour cocktails are a particular focus, with 20 variations of the classic available. Start with the classic, then give the Sichuan lemon sour a go.
Dietaries are well catered to, with plenty of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options listed on the menu. An English menu is available, and several of the dishes can be adjusted to account for dietaries if you ask the staff nicely.
SG Low
2F, NC Building
1-9-4 Jinnan, Shibuya-ku
Tokyo 150-0041
Japan
Telephone: 050 3173 0608
E-mail: n/a
Website
Open
Mon – Sun: 5:00pm to 11:00pm