- 2024.01.04
-
Kanpai (cheers) to the new year!
In Kochi, a good meal with family, friends, or co-workers is not fully complete without local Tosa sake, and this doesn’t solely apply to celebratory occasions like welcoming the new year. In fact, we have a delightful culture here of enjoying sake with everyday meals based on the drinking style of ‘shoku-chu-shu’. Read on to learn more about our regional sake
What are the characteristics of Tosa sake?
Tosa sake is known to be some of the driest in Japan. More specifically, it has a clean and crisp flavor that pairs particularly well with the region’s rich and diverse seafood.
How is Kochi able to produce such delicious sake?
In Kochi, we are blessed with some of the most pure rivers and delicious rice in Japan! For instance, the Niyodo River often ranks as one of Japan’s most beautiful rivers and the local rice brand called Tenku no Sato was voted the best in the country…TWICE!
So…what exactly is ‘shoku-chu-shu’ again?
Literally, it translates to ‘food middle sake’, which doesn’t quite make sense on its own but it refers to sake that is enjoyed during a meal. So, another distinctive and beloved aspect of Tosa sake is that it never takes away from Kochi’s rich cuisine, but instead, adds to it, and helps bring out the flavors even more in a very harmonious and complementary way.
Advice for sake beginners?
If you’ve never tried sake before, it may be hard for you to imagine what it actually tastes like based on descriptors like ‘clean’ and ‘crisp’, but the best advice I can give you is to simply start somewhere! Over time, you will be able to detect the unique flavor profiles of different sake brands, which change significantly based on the region and brewing techniques. It is an incredibly deep and exciting world that will not only offer a completely transformed dining experience (based on how much it can impact the flavors of food), but also, offer insight into an integral part of Japanese culture that has existed for over 2,000 years!
Recommended place to enjoy Tosa sake in Kochi?
The classic spot would have to be Hirome Market at the heart of Kochi City! There are various restaurants and bars that serve Tosa sake along with excellent food, featuring ingredients straight from Kochi’s sea, mountains and rivers.
Learn more about Tosa sake: https://visitkochijapan.com/en/taste-of-kochi/sake
What are the characteristics of Tosa sake?
Tosa sake is known to be some of the driest in Japan. More specifically, it has a clean and crisp flavor that pairs particularly well with the region’s rich and diverse seafood.
How is Kochi able to produce such delicious sake?
In Kochi, we are blessed with some of the most pure rivers and delicious rice in Japan! For instance, the Niyodo River often ranks as one of Japan’s most beautiful rivers and the local rice brand called Tenku no Sato was voted the best in the country…TWICE!
So…what exactly is ‘shoku-chu-shu’ again?
Literally, it translates to ‘food middle sake’, which doesn’t quite make sense on its own but it refers to sake that is enjoyed during a meal. So, another distinctive and beloved aspect of Tosa sake is that it never takes away from Kochi’s rich cuisine, but instead, adds to it, and helps bring out the flavors even more in a very harmonious and complementary way.
Advice for sake beginners?
If you’ve never tried sake before, it may be hard for you to imagine what it actually tastes like based on descriptors like ‘clean’ and ‘crisp’, but the best advice I can give you is to simply start somewhere! Over time, you will be able to detect the unique flavor profiles of different sake brands, which change significantly based on the region and brewing techniques. It is an incredibly deep and exciting world that will not only offer a completely transformed dining experience (based on how much it can impact the flavors of food), but also, offer insight into an integral part of Japanese culture that has existed for over 2,000 years!
Recommended place to enjoy Tosa sake in Kochi?
The classic spot would have to be Hirome Market at the heart of Kochi City! There are various restaurants and bars that serve Tosa sake along with excellent food, featuring ingredients straight from Kochi’s sea, mountains and rivers.
Learn more about Tosa sake: https://visitkochijapan.com/en/taste-of-kochi/sake
