Sharaku is a compact izakaya located in the retro shopping street of Yanaka Ginza, distinguished by its focus on lemon sours. The menu includes ten variations, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, all based on a house-made lemon syrup. This syrup is crafted by slow-juicing fresh lemons and blending the juice with their original recipe, followed by a three-day infusion process to develop their own lemon liqueur. A small menu of classic izakaya side dishes accompanies the drinks.

Coriander Lemon Sour (¥600)

The main reason for visiting was the Coriander Lemon Sour. The drink resembled a freshly squeezed lemonade in structure, topped with an exuberant handful of fresh coriander. For those who enjoy coriander, the pairing works well: the herb enhanced the citric brightness of the drink, which was sharply tart with just a hint of balancing sweetness.

However, the execution left room for refinement. The coriander leaves, while visually striking, were left whole and floating, requiring one to consume them separately. Had they been muddled, the herbaceous notes would likely have integrated more seamlessly, contributing to a more cohesive flavour profile.

Sharaku is a niche-concept izakaya in Yanaka Ginza offering inventive lemon sours. It is worth a brief stop when in the area, though not compelling enough to warrant a dedicated visit.

Sharaku is located in Yanaka Ginza, 3 Chome-13-1 Yanaka, Taito City, Tōkyō 110-0001, Japan.