Shochu in Manhattan

There are a few places in New York City for shochu. The selections are impressive, and better than some izakaya of Tokyo.

My favorite place to go for shochu, a distilled spirit native to Japan, is En Japanese Brasserie in the West Village.

435 Hudson Street

New York, NY 10014

212-647-9196

www.enjb.com

Ask for Taka or Miki and they will help guide you through the selection. Also, be sure to find out what they have for infused shochu. The food is great here with amazing presentations on dishes brought in from Japan. If you are not too hungry, then sit in the bar and get the cabbage and miso crudite platter as well as their signature homemade tofu.

Also worth checking out is Umi no Ie in the East Village. The feel is very casual in this subterranean tiny bar. Lots of shochu with a limited menu.

86 East 3rd Street

New York, NY 10003

646-654-1122

I have not been yet, but have been told by a few Japanese friends that Hacchan Shochu Bar also has a nice selection of shochu.

210 East 44th Street (between 2nd and 3rd Avenues)

212-68705075