Izumi

Preceding a fateful weekend, I was taken to what is qualified as the best Japanese bar in Shanghai, Mokkos, which serves shochu. Shochu is a distilled beverage from Japan averaging around 25% abv and made from sweet potato, rye, or rice. Mokkos is a lovely, small bar off Wuding Lu north of Jing'an Temple. The bar shelves go straight to the ceiling lined with bottles of shochu and on the lower shelves are even bottles with name tags for the frequent patrons. A pleasant place for conversation and a light, clean-tasting Japanese drink.

Since my initial experience in Shanghai, I have been somewhat fascinated with shochu and shochu culture, which has not really caught on in the Western world except to serve as a trendy drink of the moment favored by young women instead of old Japanese men. It is something I could continue to sip for ages and enjoy.

Shochu bars are popping up all over the place as it has become in fashion to open Japanese-style bars in Shanghai, granted they are often on the more expensive side, even for the expat wallet considering the quantity you get. This should not be confused with the quality of your drink.

Hence, the adventure to Luwan to Izumi, a few doors down from the second Constellation Bar. Izumi is a really small bar with quasi dark interior and red accents of faux cherry blossoms. A passerby would not consider stopping into this empty bar playing mainstream electronic and top 40 music. However, the promise of shochu lured me in.

The bartender did not speak any English, but he suggested to try the Tantakatan, made with shiso leaf (50RMB). This, along with the other shochus, were served on ice in ceramic cups and accompanied by spicy nuts. The taste of the Tantakatan was clean and crisp, though slightly earthy and reminiscent of a light tea. He said they just got it in and the bottel was not listed on the menu. Another tried was Den-En (35RMB) made with rye and tasted more grainy or earthy with an oak quality. Shiso Komachi was another favorite because it also tasted very crisp and light with a taste similar to the light aroma of flowers, but this was due to the shiso leaf (45RMB). The bartender offered a shiso leaf to smell and feel to understand where the flavors were coming from. It was very nice to have the bartender so involved in the selection process. Also on the menu were shochu-based cocktails along with tea and soft drinks.

Mmmm...My foray into the world of shochu is off to an outstanding start.

The hidden-away, neighborhood ambiance of Mokkos is preferred over Izumi, but I would not discount this bar completely out of the loop if you are looking for a quiet, secluded place to enjoy some shochu.

Izumi. 21 Yongjia Lu 永嘉路21号, by Maoming Lu. Shanghai, China.