How to pair sake with your sushi

Are you one of those people who’s seen the word sake on the drinks menu but never quite had the courage to try it? Or do you simply want to know more about what it actually is? We’ve heard that before – and it’s perfectly fine to ask the waiter or feel unsure. 

What is sake?

Brewed from rice, water, yeast and koji, sake is an essential part of Japanese culture – and the country’s national drink. Known for its clean and aromatic taste, it plays a key role in shaping the Japanese flavour profile and pairs beautifully with starters, mains, and desserts. Sake comes in many varieties – from sweet and fruity to dry and tangy.

Often referred to as Japanese rice wine, its brewing process is actually closer to beer. First, the rice is polished and then undergoes a conversion process where starch turns into sugar. Only then can fermentation begin. This is called multiple parallel fermentation – and it’s completely unique to sake.

How to enjoy sake

Sake can be enjoyed on its own or with food. Do as the Japanese do – enjoy sake with a meal. We serve ours in small ceramic cups or glasses, poured from a bottle or carafe. Perfect for sharing.

Cold or warm?

Sake can be enjoyed both cold and warm. Cold sake, or Reishu, suits any occasion – especially in spring and summer. Warm sake, known as Kanzake, is perfect for cooler autumn days and winter evenings.

Types of sake

Before choosing your sake, here’s a quick guide to two types from our drinks menu.

• JUNMAI DAIGINJO

  Junmai Daiginjo is a great choice for the sake enthusiast or the dedicated fan. Our Junmai Daiginjo has a crisp taste with elegant dryness, making it perfect with fresh fish.

• JUNMAI GINJO

  Junmai Ginjo is soft and fruity, light and easy to enjoy. It’s a great sake for beginners. Our Junmai Ginjo is a seasonal favourite that pairs well with almost anything.

Junmai means that no extra alcohol has been added during fermentation. Daiginjo and Ginjo describe how much and how finely the rice has been polished.

There are no hard rules – but here are a few pairing recommendations to try this autumn:

• SASHIMI WITH DASSAI 45 JUNMAI DAIGINJO (16%)

  Our Dassai 45 Junmai goes perfectly with fresh sashimi. Try, for example, a Shake or Maguro sashimi for a clean and delicate match.

• SPICY TUNA ROLL WITH DASSAI 45 NIGORI ‘CLOUDY SAKE’ JUNMAI DAIGINJO (14%)

  If you like sushi with a bit of spice, Dassai 45 Nigori is a great choice, as it has a light dryness and mild aroma.

• FOUR MEAL DRIVE WITH AKASHI TAI HONJOZO GENSHU (19%)

  Try our Four Meal Drive with a fresh sake like Akashi Tai Honjozo Genshu, which gives you a well-rounded experience.

Other dishes and great pairings 

• TEMAKI SETTO WITH HEAVEN SAKE JUNMAI 12 (12,5%)

  The fresh fish and rice in our Temaki Setto are beautifully balanced by the crisp and dry taste of our Masumi Sanka Junmai sake.

• STICKS AND WARM SAKE

  Warm, seasoned sticks and warm sake? That’s when autumn truly begins.

• DESSERTS AND AKASHI TAI SHIRAUME GINJO (14%)

  The soft, fruity plum sake with umami undertones matches our sweet desserts perfectly. A sweet ending to a great meal.