01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
Perched on the 2th floor of a narrow building in Asakusa 2-Chome, Gihu is an unpretentious standing-room bar where guests gather around the counter. Open from late evening until 5:00 the following morning, it offers a laid-back retreat centered around thoughtful sake selections and a playful lineup of mixed drinks.
The natural place to start drinking is with the nukazuke—vegetables fermented in rice bran—whose daily selection is chalked up on the blackboard. Guests can order a single portion or assemble platters of three or five varieties, enjoying a balanced saltiness and subtle acidity that complements chilled sake cleanly. A thoughtfully curated roster of small plates keeps the palate engaged, including spicy soy-marinated green chillies, pickled jalapeños, and steaming dumplings from Ichimi Ling Ling.
Drink options span far beyond standard bar pours. Guests can sip an Asakusa-classic Denki Bran highball, a clam-and-tomato mix, a salted lemon sour, or combinations mixed with soy milk. When hunger calls for something heartier later in the night, the kitchen turns out kimchi fried rice and Shin Ramyun, making the spot just as practical for a final bite as it is for a lively second or third drink.
