The popularity of Sake continues to grow in the UK, moving well beyond Japanese menus into some of London’s most exciting modern European restaurants. More and more venues now include Sake on their wine lists, recognising how its umami-rich, low-acidity profile can complement a wide variety of dishes and cuisines.

​ This February, a curated line-up of leading London restaurants is celebrating Sake’s food-pairing versatility as part of the Sake Food Sensations campaign, organised by JFOODO.

Each restaurant has created a special menu that pairs modern European dishes with carefully chosen Sakes, reframing Sake in a contemporary dining context.​

Working closely with Sake experts and importers, the restaurants’ chefs and sommeliers have selected Sakes that support and elevate each dish, adding layers of flavour and allowing the ingredients to really shine.

Head Chef Jonny Lake and Master Sommelier Isa Bal (pictured left) of two-star Michelin restaurant Trivet have championed the campaign, demonstrating to fellow chefs, sommeliers and restaurant owners at an exclusive masterclass event how naturally Sake pairs with modern European dishes.

Head Chef Jonny Lake says: “I’ve been inspired by Japanese ingredients for a very long time and during my trip to Japan with Isa, I was impressed by the versatility of sake. Its vibrant and diverse flavour profiles make it not only a fascinating beverage but also an exciting ingredient to cook with. At Trivet, we bring this to life in our Hokkaido Potato dessert, adding a unique depth and character that celebrates its Japanese roots.”

Master Sommelier Isa Bal comments: “I have been working with Sake for over 20 years, and as someone who loves Japanese culture, it remains one of the things I most closely associate with it. Sake is a wonderful drink, full of intricate details and character, that pairs well not only with Japanese cuisine but also with many dishes from around the world.”

Check out the list of participating restaurants below and click on the images to discover their exclusive Sake Food Sensations menus – they’re sure to get your tastebuds tingling!