Sake and Food Pairing
Many sake enthusiasts and newcomers alike initially believed that sake only goes with sushi or that they only drink sake when they are at a Japanese restaurant. Sake and food pairings can be just as diverse and nuanced as wine pairings! Thanks to sake’s low acidity, sulfides, and bitterness, there are only a few bad combinations.
It is important to remember that everyone’s sensitivities to spice, sweetness, and other flavor components are unique. Try different combinations for yourself to determine what tastes best to you! We hope these recommendations will broaden your horizons and encourage all sake drinkers to experiment and discover some unexpectedly delightful sake and food pairings.
Sake Grades and Their Pairings
Ginjo / Daiginjo
Pair with aromatic dishes using herbs or fruits and refreshing, light fair. Pair a Caprese salad with a Junmai Ginjo sake. Try with shaved fennel salad or Vietnamese summer rolls.
Yamahai / Kimoto / Junmai
Pair with rich dishes that are high in umami. Try acidic foods with higher acid sakes, such as Kimoto or yamahai. Acidity or sourness in food will make sake less acidic, while increasing their perceived richness, sweetness, and fruitiness. For hard the notoriously hard to pair asparagus and artichoke, consider a Junmai or Omachi!
Tokubetsu Honjozo / Honjozo / Tokubetsu Junmai
Many of these types of sake tend to be lighter and drier, pairing well with simple dishes. I can also match with oily foods to help cleanse the palate of oil and fat. Fabulous with tempura, fried chicken, and grilled salmon.
Koshu (Aged Sake)
Pair with foods that are rich and layered flavors. Recommended to serve with desserts and sweets. Or if you need something for your cheese course, koshu is the way to go or hard cheeses or even a funky washed-rind cheese.
Though it is emphasized that sushi and sake are not the only comb, it is important to give this original pairing its due. This combo reigns supreme as the sake makes strongly flavored fish and shellfish taste more clean and neutral.
Sake x Fish
For those who can take a little heat, nigori is there to pair with it. If you love a bowl of spicy Thai coconut curry or a plate of hot ‘n’ spicy wings, accompany it with some nigori to take the edge off the heat.
For Spicy Food Lovers