Blog
Stories from behind the bar: cocktails, ramen, Japanese culture, and life on the Lower East Side.
FoodApr 16, 2025Mentaiko Mazemen at Izakaya Juraku: Kiyo's Ultimate Comfort RamenChef Kiyo's Mentaiko Mazemen traces back to the mentaiko pasta he treated himself to during his Tokyo apprenticeship years.FoodApr 13, 2025Unagi Kabayaki: Smoky, Sweet, and Iconically JapaneseGrilled eel glazed in tare, served as Una Don over rice or as a crispy Unagi Handroll — a true izakaya classic.FoodApr 13, 2025Inaka Sushi at Izakaya Juraku: Rustic, Seasonal, and Purely JapaneseInaka sushi is countryside-style, vegetable-forward sushi — right now our rotating nigiri features seared Eringi (king oyster) mushroom.FoodApr 13, 2025Crispy Rice at Izakaya Juraku: Where Crunch Meets UmamiOur Crispy Rice comes two ways — spicy tuna with mayo and chili, or yellowtail with a zesty yuzu wasabi drizzle.WhiskyApr 9, 2025Barrell Seagrass and Vantage: The Rye Kiyo Actually Likes, and His Favorite BourbonAn independent blender in Louisville finishing whiskey in Martinique rhum, Madeira, apricot brandy and mizunara. Try the Seagrass with Japanese apple juice.FoodApr 2, 2025Mentaiko Mazemen: A Creamy, Spicy, and Utterly Addictive Ramen TwistOur take on mentai pasta swaps in ramen noodles for spaghetti, coated in a rich sauce of mentaiko, butter, cream, and shio.ShochuMar 27, 2025The Art of Imo Shochu: Exploring Kurokirishima at Izakaya JurakuKurokirishima, made by Kirishima Shuzo with black koji, is one of Kyushu's most respected imo shochus — served on the rocks, mizuwari, or in our Umegroni.ShochuMar 27, 2025Amami Kakuto Shochu: Sweet, Smooth, and Island SpiritKokuto shochu can only be made in the Amami Islands using rice koji and brown sugar — this bottle brings soft molasses and mineral notes.WhiskyMar 27, 2025Akkeshi Taisetsu: The Essence of Hokkaido's Winter in a GlassPart of Akkeshi Distillery's 24 Sekki series, Taisetsu (Great Snowfall) brings peat smoke, honey, and roasted chestnut in a whisky built like Hokkaido winter.EventsMar 22, 2025Cup Sake: The Convenient and Classic Japanese DrinkThe story behind cup sake, born in 1964 for Tokyo Olympics visitors, and why we love pouring this underrated corner of Japanese drinking culture at Juraku.SakeMar 21, 2025The History and Origins of Izakayas: Japan's Beloved Drinking CultureFrom Edo-period sake shops to postwar nomikai culture, a look at where izakayas came from and how they became Japan's favorite place to drink and eat together.
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