Behind a nondescript door on the second floor of an old office building in Shibuya is one of the city’s greatest izakayas specialising in lemon sour cocktails. These aren’t your classic izakaya lemon sours, mind you. A sister establishment of our beloved SG Club, the menu of SG Low is more of a playful modern take on familiar favourites. Like your standard izakaya, SG Low serves up an otooshi (welcome appetiser) included with the table charge, but instead of chilled tofu or a bowl of edamame, the opening menu item here is a seasonal welcome martini.
As for the food, think sharing-style izakaya staples with a fresh twist. Deep fried nankotsu (chicken cartilage) is tossed in fiery red buffalo-wing sauce while the potato salad is dressed up like a mini bowl of ramen. Dishes you can’t leave without trying include the irresistibly gooey mentaiko mac 'n' cheese and the mazemen noodles with uni and a side of bone marrow.
Everything is made to pair perfectly with a crisp lemon sour, and the bar has endless variations of them. There are versions that range from the Sauna Sour with a twist of salt to one that actually alters your taste buds for a span of 30 minutes, but the staff recommend starting off with the ‘normal lemon sour’ (¥880) and working your way down the list.