Matching food with Sake
For restaurants and individuals food and sake matching can be daunting!
As a relatively new drink it is difficult to know what sake pairs with foods that will compliment the sake and vice-versa.
On this page we have matched some our great sake with foods pairings that will bring out the best in flavors and aromas.
First lets have a look at an overview of Sake profiles:
Flavor, SMV and acidity of Sake
Now lets give you a brief idea of how the flavor, SMV and acidity of Sake matches food. Of course there are no golden rules and a lot comes down to your own personal preference.
- Strong alcohol percentage is good for cutting fatty meats.
- Wide, strong acidity matches creamy foods and cheese
- Sharp acidity matches fatty meats
- Fruitier sake with a rich aroma matches leaner meats, seafoods and Japanese Ponzu sauce
- A good balance of umami and acidity matches shellfish dishes seasoned with fruits, and tempura
- Stronger umami is also a good match for fattier meats
- Fruitier sake matches sashimi and sushi
OK so here is a list of some of our sake and best food pairings. In our sake catalogue you can also find food matches under our tasting notes.
Please Enjoy with our happiness!!!

Junmai Daiginjo Nos.1

Brewery: Sasaki
Rank: Daiginjo
Rice Polishing Rate: 40%
Alcohol: 16%
SMV: +2.5
2019 Fine Sake Gold Award Winner
Best Food Match:
Sushi, Sashimi
300ml: 1,563 yen
720ml: 2,789 yen
Heian Range

Brewery: Sasaki
Rank: Junmai Daiginjo, Ginjo, Tokubetsu Junmai
Rice Polishing Rate: 40-60%
Alcohol: 15-16%
SMV: +3 to +4.5
Best Food Match:
Heian Blue: Cheese, creamy dishes
Heain Red: Vegetable and light flavored dishes
Heain Black: Cooked fish and seafood dishes, especially shellfish: Crab, Lobster
Maiko San: Light flavored, vegetable dishes
500ml: 1,546-2700 yen
Ginjo Jurakadai

Brewery: Sasaki
Rank: Junmai Ginjo
Rice Polishing Rate 60%
Alc 15%
SMV +3
Best Food Match:
Tempura, miso, mirin dishes
720ml: 1,380 yen
Tokubetsu Junmai Nishijin

Brewery: Sasaki
Rank: Tokubetsu Junmai
Rice Polishing Rate: 50%
Alcohol: 15%
SMV: +3
720ml: 2,135 yen
Best Food Match:
Beef, steak, Grilled foods
Limited Edition

Brewery: Sasaki
Rank: Junmai Daiginjo
Rice Polishing Rate: 50%
Alc 16%
SMV +2.5
IWC Silver award
720ml: 3,600 yen
Best Food Match:
Beef, steak, Grilled foods
Extra Premium

Brewery: Sasaki
Rank: Junmai Daiginjo
Rice Polishing Rate: 40%
Alc 17%
SMV +4
IWC Gold award
Osaka Sake Awards: Excellence prize
National New Liquor Fair Brewing Prize Winner
Tokai Honor Award
720ml: 4,500 yen
Best Food Match:
It is very compatible with the umami found in cheese and fruity flavors
Junmai Daiginjo 40 (Gohyakumangoku)

Brewery: Joyo
Rank: Junmai Daiginjo
Rice Polishing Rate: 40%
Alcohol: 15%
SMV: +2
Best Food Match:
Sashimi, sushi, fish dishes
720ml: 2,585 yen
Junmai Daiginjo 40 PREMIUM (Gohyakumangoku)

Brewery: Joyo
Rank: Junmai Daiginjo
Rice Polishing Rate: 40%
Alcohol: 15%
SMV: +3
Best Food Match:
Sashimi, sushi, fish dishes
720ml: 4,160 yen
Tokubetsu Junmai 60

Brewery: Joyo
Rank: Tokubetsu Junmai
Rice Polishing Rate: 60%
Alcohol: 15%
SMV: +5
Best Food Match:
Most Japanese foods and fried foods
720ml: 1,240 yen
Junmai Ginjo 55 (Yamadanishiki)

Brewery: Joyo
Rank: Junmai Ginjo
Rice Polishing Rate: 55%
Alcohol: 15%
SMV: +2
Best Food Match:
Red meats
720ml: 1,660 yen
Ginjo 55 Extra Dry

Brewery: Joyo
Rank: Junmai Ginjo
Rice Polishing Rate: 55%
Alcohol: 15%
SMV: +10
Best Food Match:
Creamy dishes
720ml: 1,275 yen
Junmai Daiginjo 40 (Yamadanishiki)

Brewery: Joyo
Rank: Junmai Daiginjo
Rice Polishing Rate: 40%
Alcohol: 16%
SMV: +3
Best Food Match:
Fruitier dishes
720ml: 2,772 yen
300ml: 1,485 yen
Junmai Daiginjo Shizuku 40 (Yamadanishiki)

Brewery: Joyo
Rank: Junmai Daiginjo
Rice Polishing Rate: 40%
Alcohol: 16%
SMV: +3
Best Food Match:
Fruitier dishes
720ml: 5,040 yen
Junmai Daiginjo 30 (Yamadanishiki)

Brewery: Joyo
Rank: Junmai Daiginjo
Rice Polishing Rate: 30%
Alcohol: 16%
SMV: +3
Best Food Match:
Leaner meats
720ml: 4,620 yen
Junmai Ginjo 55 (Yamadanishiki)

Brewery: Joyo
Rank: Junmai Ginjo
Rice Polishing Rate: 55%
Alcohol: 15%
SMV: +2
Best Food Match:
Salads and Tempura
720ml: 1,485 yen
Hanazakari Junmai Hattan-nishiki

Brewery: Hanazakari
Rank: Junmai Ginjo
Rice Polishing Rate: 60%
Alcohol: 18%
SMV: +7
Best Food Match:
Stronger alcohol % matches fattier meats
720ml: 1,105 yen
Kikuhanamori

Brewery: Hanazakari
Rank: Junmai Daiinjo
Rice Polishing Rate: 39%
Alcohol: 16%
SMV: +3
Best Food Match:
White fish and shellfish
720ml: 1,756 yen
Junmai Daiginjo 39

Brewery: Hanazakari
Rank: Daiginjo
Rice Polishing Rate: 39%
Alcohol: 15.3%
SMV: -2
Best Food Match:
Sushi and soba
300ml: 1,351 yen
720ml: 2,042 yen
1.8l: 4,085 yen
Junmai Daiginjo 50

Brewery: Hanazakari
Rank: Daiginjo
Rice Polishing Rate: 39% & 50%
Alcohol: 15.3%
SMV: -2
Best Food Match:
Fattier and oiler dishes
300ml: 1,009 yen
720ml: 1,462 yen
1.8l: 2,717 yen