It is difficult to go out for meal recently, so many people would choose to cook for themselves at home. But it would be less enjoyable if there is no alcohol on the table, therefore Saketora invited Mr. Namisato again for the Japanese sake food pairing. Let's check the report and see which sake goes the best withmeat dishes !
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Junmai Ginjo 'azure'
Fruity, rich and elegant, with a long and full aftertaste with umami, with fresh aromas like ripe white peaches, pears, white flowers and white jade.
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Toko, Left-Handed Junmai Daiginjo (Dewasansan)
It is fruity with the hints of pineapple and lychee. Soft on the attack and delicate, it shows a hint of green leaves and astringency on the finish.
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Tamanohikari Junmai Daiginjo Aged Sake Silver
100% using Bizen-omachi sake rice at the main ingredient, which becomes rich and full-bodied after aging.
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Kasen, Wajo Special Junmai
Like its concept, it is rich with the expressive aromas of ripe banana, white rice and cereal.
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Sawanotsuru Kimoto
Junmai Daiginjo Genshu Zuicho
The full-bodied flavor the strong lactic acid feel is full of the charateristics of Genshu and Kimoto sake respectively.
Steak with lemon juice
Steak with lemon juice
The fat of steak makes it a bit heavy, so in order not to lose, the sake should also be relatively heavy. But the steak would be refreshing after adding lemon juice, so the refreshing taste would be covered if the sake is too heavy. In another word, 'balance' is the key point. Azure is a bit heavy, but would be sharp and clean when paired with lemon juice. Toko is fruity with the note of apple, but the heavy taste of steak would cover the freshness of sake. As for Tamanohikari and Tokyo Wajo, they are heavy enough for the steak, yet the aged sake would be too strong for the freshness of lemon. And at last, although the alcohol concentration reaches 17, Zuicho would not be too stimulating when paired with steak with lemon juice.
Azure ★★★★☆ (4.5)
Toko★★★☆☆
Tamanohikari ★★★☆☆
Tokyo Wajo ★★☆☆☆
Zuicho ★★★☆☆
Steak with steak sauce
Steak with steak sauce
Unlike the refreshing lemon juice, the steak sauce is heavy so it is better to be paired with sakes with stronger alcohol feel. Azure has a clean aftertaste so it may be not strong enough for the steak sauce. Toko is fruity and sweet, therfore it would be a bit too heavy if paired with juicy steak. As for Tamanohikari and Tokyo Wajo, like Azure, they are not heavy enough by comparing with the steak. Zuicho is strong enough, with the relatively high alcohol concentration, which can wash away the greasy feeling in the mouth
Azure Azure ★★☆☆☆ (2.5)
Toko★★☆☆☆
Tamanohikari ★★☆☆☆ (2.5)
Tokyo Wajo ★★★☆☆
Zuicho ★★★★☆ (4.5)
Hamburger with cheese and tomato sauce
Hamburger with cheese and tomato sauce
In addition to considering the influence of hamburger meat on sake pairing, the strong flavor of cheese and sweet and sour tomato sauce will also have a great influence. The lactic acid of sake becomes the key. Azure and Toko are both light and fruity, and the sourness of tomato sauce would break the balance of the sake. In contrast, Tamanohikari and Tokyo Wajo have the relative strong flavors of aged sakes, the taste of lactic acid can complement the umami of cheese and the sourness of tomato sauce. As for Zuicho, although it can said to be balanced, but the sense of alcohol is a bit too heavy and therefore failed to get the perfect score.
Azure ★★☆☆☆
Toko★★☆☆☆
Tamanohikari ★★★★☆
Tokyo Wajo ★★★★☆ (4.5)
Zuicho ★★★☆☆
Herbal chicken
Herbal chicken
Compared with beef and hamburger, chicken meat is more fresh and with umami. With the unique flavor of herbs, sakes with umami would be more suitable. Although Azure and Toko can be paired with chicken meat, the fruity sweetness is not well balanced with the spicy herbs. Tamanohikari is aged and therefore the umami is a good companion with the herbal chicken; yet Tokyo Wajo is a bit not heavy enough even though it is also aged. At last, Zuicho can be paired with herbs, but is may be a better choice for the dishes using rosemary.
Azure ★★★☆☆
Toko★★☆☆☆
Tamanohikari ★★★★☆ (4.5)
Tokyo Wajo ★★☆☆☆ (4★ When warmed)
Zuicho ★★★☆☆