Perfect Pairings with Sake

What is Japanese Sake?

Sake is a traditional Japanese beverage made from rice, koji (rice malt), and water, typically containing 15 to 16% alcohol. It is brewed through a meticulous process that converts rice starch to sugar and alcohol. Numerous factors like rice strain and rice polishing ratio can yield diverse results, with flavours ranging from light and citrusy to bold and rich.

When Sake Meets the Right Dish

Sake’s rich glutamic acid finds its match not only in the ocean’s treasures, but also in the savoury depth of meats and the freshness of vegetables.

With each pairing, umami deepens and flavours take on a new dimension—warm, lingering, and memorable.

Sake Lets Natural Flavours Sing

In seafood, sake softens the briny notes that sometimes gets overwhelming. In meats, it cuts through any heaviness. Even with vegetables, its gentle fragrance lifts and brightens each bite.

By quietly balancing aromas, sake allows the pure, delicious essence of every ingredient to shine, making every pairing a little more memorable.

Sake vs. White Wine

Tradition may favour white wine with seafood, but its iron content can sometimes amplify unwanted aromas. Sake—free of that harshness—reveals seafood’s natural sweetness. Beyond the sea, it also brings out the richness in meats, lifts the freshness of vegetables and even complements desserts. It's a companion that elevates every plate with quiet grace.

Enjoy Sake with Meals

Alcohol falls into two categories: “distilled liquor” and “fermented liquor”. The latter includes beverages like wine, beer, and sake, and their tastes and aromas increase the umami of foods while masking the unpleasant odours of fish. As such, sake is a wonderful meal companion, and a survey in Japan revealed that approximately 70% of people in Japan enjoy sake as their primary alcoholic beverage during meals.

Grades of Sake

Rice Polishing Percentage	Alcohol-Added Style(Rice, Water, Yeast, Koji/Distilled Alcohol)	Pure Rice Style(Rice, Water, Yeast, Koji)
50% or Less Remaining	Daiginjo	Junmai Daiginjo
60% or Less Remaining	Ginjo	Junmai Ginjo
70% or Less Remaining	Honjozo	Junmai
No Minimum Polishing Requirement	Futsu-shu	Junmai

How to Taste Sake

STEP 1
Visual

Observe the colour and clarity to set the stage for your tasting journey

STEP 2
Smell

Swirl the sake gently and inhale deeply to identify the diverse scents

STEP 3
Taste

Savour the nuanced flavours, experience the intensity, explore the texture, relish the umami, and appreciate the lingering finish

STEP 4
Think

Consider the balance of flavours and how they harmonise on your palate. Does this exemplify the desired standard?

How to Read Sake Labels

A: Legally Required Information
on Sake Bottle Labels in Japan

1 : Product NameSake is referred to as both 清酒 (seishu) and 日本酒 (nihonshu)

2 : Producer’s Name

3 : Producer’s Address

4 : Net Content

5 : Alcohol ContentTypically ranging between 15-16%, with Genshu varieties around 20%

6 : IngredientsIngredients include rice and rice koji. Distilled alcohol is added to non-Junmai types

7 : Date of ProductionIndicates when the sake was bottled and dispatched from the brewery

8 : Legal Statement on Drinking

B: Specially Designated Sake

Stated if the sake falls into the Premium Sake Classification.
e.g. Daiginjo, Ginjo and Junmai.

C: Optional Information (Back Label)

9: Rice Polishing RateThe percentage of the rice grain that remains after polishing

10: Sake Meter Value (SMV)Generally, a higher value indicates a drier sake, while a lower value suggests a sweeter sake

11: AcidityThe higher the acidity, the drier the sake becomes

12: Amino Acids Content

Worldwide Sake Boom

Since the 2010s, the world has experienced a remarkable surge in the popularity of Japanese cuisine, driven by the exceptional skills of renowned Japanese chefs. This culinary wave has brought sake to the forefront of global beverage trends, where the craft movement encourages people to drink less but savor more.

Explore the fascinating world of sake with us, uncovering its rich history, prestigious competitions, and the rise of overseas breweries. Discover how this traditional Japanese beverage is captivating palates worldwide. Join us in celebrating the artistry and culture of sake as it continues to gain international acclaim.

The Difference Between
Sake and Wine #1

Sake is naturally rich in umami, which deepens and enhances flavours. With lower acidity,
tannins, and astringency than wine, it brings a smoother,
more versatile pairing with seafood, meat, vegetables, and even desserts.

Contents	Sake	Wine
Alcohol (%)	13 - 17	10 - 13
Residual Sugar (g/100ml)	3 - 6	2 - 8
Sugar (Glucose) (g/100ml)	0.5 - 4.2	0.1 - 3
Umami (Glutamic Acid) (mg/l)	100 - 250	10 - 90
Total Acidity (ml)	1.1 - 2.4	7 - 13
Succinic Acid (mg/l)	200 - 500	500 - 1500
Malic Acid (mg/l)	100 - 400	250 - 5000
Tartaric Acid (mg/l)	-	1500 - 4000
Sulphites (S02) (mg/l)	0	250

The Difference Between
Sake and Wine #2

Where sharp flavours or strong aromas can sometimes overpower a dish,
sake provides balance. It softens intensity, rounds out saltiness, and allows the essence of each ingredient
– be it land, sea, or garden – to shine through.

The Difference Between
Sake and Wine #3

The high acidity and iron content of wine can occasionally clash with certain foods,
producing harsh or metallic notes on the palate. Sake, by contrast, avoids these reactions,
creating harmony from course to course, naturally enhancing flavours from savoury bites to sweet endings.

Sake Storage

To ensure the best quality, store sake in a cool environment, ideally below 5°C. Keep the bottle upright to prevent leakage and avoid exposing it to bright lights, which can affect its flavor. For optimal taste, enjoy sake while it is young—typically within one year of production, although this can vary depending on the type of sake.

Temperature

Chilled

・More refreshing
・Cleaner & leaner
・Less aroma & flavour if too cold
・Bitter stands out more

Warmed

・Activation of aroma particles
・Fuller and richer flavour
・Mellow texture & dryer taste
・Emphasizes alcohol & acidity
・Undermines complexity of aromas

Recommended
Temperature

Sake Vessels

Sake vessels come in various materials, each influencing the flavor differently. Earthenware is thick and absorbs water, enhancing the sake's earthy tones. Porcelain, being smooth and non-absorbent, maintains the sake's original flavor. Glass is transparent and inert, providing a pure taste experience. Wood vessels impart unique flavors by absorbing water. Metal can alter the flavor profile, while plastic, silicone, and acrylic are lightweight and cost-effective options that do not affect the taste as much.