Monchu

About

Neo-izakaya standing bar opened July 18, 2025 at the foot of Dogenzaka, five minutes from Shibuya Station. The name—'Mon Chuu,' written 門鼠, 'gate rat'—lifts from a fictional yokai said to haunt Dogenzaka; a bar of the same name apparently existed here decades ago and this is the revival. Polished concrete, neon accents, 15 seats (8 at the counter, a 5-person standing high-top, 20 standing max). Signature is the 門鼠煮込み串—beef tendon braised three hours in red miso, rested overnight, then skewered. The drinks hook is three 'tea splits' built on premium leaf: green-tea 鳳梨酥 (pineapple cake), Japanese-tea 柚子山椒, black-tea 甘夏. Sake, shochu, wine, cocktails round it out. Heated tobacco permitted. English menu. Closed Tuesdays. Open until 2am.