Category Archives: Sake Brewery

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Sushi Video Report: Ekimae Matsuno Sushi in Shizuoka City!

December 1, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Very friendly, attentive and informative
Facilities: Overall clean if a bit old-fashioned
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Mainly local fish and seafood. Local sake. Always ready to improvise!

Showing the access right across form Shizuoka JR Station north exit

We here in Shizuoka are not The True World Foods or Tsukiji!
Mr. Andrea Petrini, can you hear me? Ou m’entendez-vous?

Showing the sake and display window.

In shizuoka one does not need spend untold amounts of money or eat cheap sushi at crowded places to savor truly local, hyper fresh sea products and this accompanied by some of the rarest and best sake in Japan.
just get off Shizuoka JR Station from the north exit and you will find Ekimae Matsuno Sushi Restaurant just beyond Matsuzakaya Department Store on your left hand side.

This venerable institution has been standing on the same spot since well before the WWII and has always boasted more local fish served than anywhere else.
It does not need to show off or take grand airs but still has the courage to declare the restaurant as a non-smoking haven!

Showing the trumpet fish and the first sashimi plate

For once this shirako/白子/male cod sperm/milt sacs were not from Shizuoka but all the other fish I sampled were!

The above shirako was served to accompany a superb sake by Kokou Brewery (Fukuroi City)
At 16~17 degrees it is a ginjo genshu bottled in October 2013. V\beautiful nuttey taste withhints of dark chocolate and coffee beans!

My first plate of sashimi consisted of from bottom to top and left to right:
–Seared Scabbard Fish/Tachiuo aburi/太刀魚炙り (also called Largehead hairtail or Cutlass Fish.
-Ara/Sawedged Perch/アラ
–Kihada/黄肌/Yellowfin Tuna
–Yagara/Trumpet Fish-Cornet Fish/ヤガラ

Trumpet Fish!

Muro aji/Bleeker’s sashimi plate!

The next sashimi plate was Ｍuro Ａji/Bleeker/ムロアジ, a variety of Horse Mackerel!
It was serve both as normal sashimi and tataki/Japanese tartare!

The Master of the House at work!

The nigiri sushi and dessert!

Then it was the turn of nigiri sushi!
From left to right:
-Kihada Akami/金肌赤身/Yellowtail lean part
–Hooboo/魴鮄/Spiny Red Gurnard
–Ma Aji/真鯵/Japanese Jack mackerel
–Kohada or the skin and flesh of konoshiro/小肌/Dotted Gizzard Shad
–Oori Ika/障泥烏賊/Bigfin Reef Squid

Anago/穴子Conger Eel!

Home-made chestnuts yokan/Japanese jelly, marinated ginger and finely chopped takuan/pickled Japanese daikon!

The maki/sushi rolls to finish!

Negitoro Maki/ネギトロ巻/Scraped tuna with chopped scallions!

Kampyou maki/干瓢巻/Dried shavings of calabash/gourd

See you there!

EKIMAE MATSUNO SUSHI/駅前松乃寿
Shizuoka Shi, Aoi Ku, Koya Machi, 3-3 (Just in front of Shizuoka JR Railway Station
Tel.: 054-252-0123
Business hours: 11:00~21:00
Closed on Wednesdays and 3rd Tuesday
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)

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Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

美食, Drinks, 酒, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 静岡市, 観光, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Prefecture, Shizuoka Sake, Tourism

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Sanwa Brewery-Garyubai Ginjo 20 Year-old Koshu

December 1, 2013 dragonlife 8 Comments

I was lucky enough the other day to discover this “koshu/old sake” by Sanwa brewery in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

Such sake are rare, even in Shizuoka Prefecture, and you need luck to find them!
I certainly didn’t hesitate as it would have probably been the last chance to acquire it!

Matured for very long years!

Rice: Yamada Nishiki (Hyogo Prefecture9
Rice milled down to 60%
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Dryness: ; 6
Acidity: 1.3
Contents: 300 ml
Brewed in 1993
Bottled in October 2013

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Golden
Aroma: Assertive. Very dry and fruity. Pears, apples.
Body: Fluid
Taste: Very dry attack.
Complex. Reminiscent of a very fry white sherry wine.
Very dry pears, apples, oranges, pineapple.
Disappears quickly on a lasting dry nuts note. Persimmons making a comeback later.
Elegant and intriguing.
Show many new facets with every sip showing hints of nuts and chetsnuts.
Changes little with food.

Overall: A superb aperitif to be enjoyed at the beginning of a special repast.
Thoroughly enjoyable on its own.
Probably best appreciated as a night cap reading a great book or watching a memorable movie after a great meal or sipping it in great company!
More than a discovery, a privilege!

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HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

美食, Drinks, 酒, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 静岡市, 観光, 農業, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Kikugawa City, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Morimoto Brewery-Premium Yuzuki 2013, Junmai Ginjo, Tokubetsu Gentei Hibaihin

November 27, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

This is the season when Morimoto Brewery in Kikugawa City comes up with very limited brews as shown in the definition “Tokubetsu Gentei Hibaihin”/”Specila Limited For Reserved Clients”!

Incidentally “Yuzuki” is the tradtional Japanese name for “November”!

Rice milled down to 55%
Alcohol: 15 degrees
Bottled in November 2013

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Light golden hue
Aroma: Fruity: Custard, macadamia nuts
Body: Fluid, slightly sirupy
Taste: Assertive, dry and fruity attack backed by pleasant alcohol and puissant junmai petillant.
Complex. Dry almonds, persimmons, macadamia nuts, custard.
Disappears quickly.
Makes for a drier turn with food. Junmai petillant still strong with food. In spite of its normal content alcohol stays strong and pleasant all the time.

Overall: Very &”macho” sake by Shizuoka standards, but typical of Morimoto Brewery which always bound to concoct something different.
A sake to be enjoyed by dry but complex sake lovers.
Would marry n\magnificently with any food as very close to a well-rounded dry wine!

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HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

美食, Drinks, 酒, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 観光, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Gotemba City, Japan, Japanese Culture, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Shizuoka Sake tasting: Negami Brewery-Kinmei Tokubetsu Junmai Genshu Nama

November 21, 2013 dragonlife 3 Comments

Negami Brewery in Gotemba City have always been ahead of the other breweries in Shizuoka due to the fact they practically brew all year round at an altitude of 550 metres on the slopes of Mount Fuji, hence this very early shiboritate/just pressed sake!

the bottle as it is marketed!

Not only it is a tokubetsu junmai but it is also a genshu and nama, meaning it hasn’t been “manipulated”!

Rice milled down to 50% for koji rice and 60% for kake rice
Dryness: + 4
Alcohol: 16~17%
Bottled in November 2013

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Light golden hue
Aroma: Dry and very fruity. Pears
Body: Fluid
Taste: Dry and very fruity attack backed up with pleasant alcohol and puissant junmai petillant.
Complex.
Pears and custard with hints of dry nuts/macadamia.
Disappears quickly on a drier note.
Almonds appearing with later sips with notes of grapes, dark chocolate and coffee beans.
Gets very dry with food.
Junmai petillant stays strong all along.
Calls for the next sip. Drinks like a dry white wine.
easy on the palate and tongue in spite of the high alcohol content

Overall: A superb and complex sake typical of Negami Brewery!
Will drink as a wine although the alcohol content is high.
Preferably drink it with solid food.
A sure value!

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Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

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Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Negami Brewery: Kinmei Yamahai Tokubetsu Junmai Hiyaoroshi Genshu

November 17, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Now is the season for “Hiyaoroshi” that is the outpu of sake that have been pasteurized only once.
They could be considered as halfway between nama/unpasteurized and normally twice-pasteurized sake.

Due to its location at more than 500 metres on the slopes of Mount Fuji in Gotemba City Negami Brewery brews practically all year round, and this Yamahai was conceived during the summer partly with rice from Hiroshima and mainly from Shizuoka Prefectures!

The fact that it is a genshu/no water added and a junmai:no alcohol blended in means that this particular brew is the genuine product!

Rice:
Koji rice: Hatan Nishiki (Hiroshima Prefecture) milled down to 50%
Kake rice: Iwamizu (Shizuoka Prefecture) Milled down to 55%
Yeast: k901
Dryness: + 2
Acidity: 2
Alcohol: 18~19 %
Bottled in November 2013

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Golden
Aroma: Assertive, dry and fruity. Almonds, persimmons, chestnuts
Body: Fluid
Taste: Very dry and fruity attack backed by pleasant alcohol and puissant junami petillant. Welcome acidity.
Complex. Oranges, persimmons,
Lingers for a while late hints of pears and coffee beans.
Varies little with food but for getting drier with more persimmons. Dark chocolate and milk coffee appear with later sips.
Marries well with food, especially heavy izakaya fare.

Overall: A very solid sake unusual by Shizuoka standards.
Obviously designed to accompany food, especially izakaya fare.
Although only a + 2 dryness is stated, it does feel far drier probably due to the comparatively high acidity.
A “macho” sake by Shizuoka standards to be enjoyed with oden for example!

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美食, Drinks, 酒, 静岡県, 観光, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Recipes, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Prefecture, Shochu, Tourism

Shizuoka Shochu Tasting: Takashima Brewery-TBL Eau-de-vie Rice Shochu

November 12, 2013 dragonlife 2 Comments

Takashima Brewery, which is primarily a sake brewery in Numazu City, Eastern Shizuoka Prefecture, Is making itself another name with its superlative shochu. Using thier sake white lees, they have already put no less than four different brands on the market!
TBL stands for Takashima Brewery Limited and Eau-de-vie (“Life Water”) is French for Life Spirits!

At 255 alcohol (not 25 degrees) it is pretty heady but normal as far as alcohol content is concerned!
My dear friend Sissi will be glad to hear about another shochu from Shizuoka Prefecture!

Rice Shochu made with ginjo sake white lees as well as rice and rice kouji.
Yeast: Shizuoka NEW-5
matured for 1 year
Alcohol: 25%

Clarity: Extremely clear
Color: Transparent
Aroma: Comparatively mild and discreet. Dry. Fruity: notes of bananas and custard.
Body: Fluid
Taste: Strong well-rounded dry attack warming up back of the palate.
***Tasted at room temperature: Dry and fruity.
Complex. Faint bananas and dry almonds.
Strong and pleasant alcohol.
very elegant approach. Disappears quickly on a softer note with more dry almonds.
***Tasted on ice: Reveals new facets as it gradually warms inside the mouth.
Bananas, macadamia nuts, hints of dark chocolate.

Overall: Extremely elegant sake white lees (riceis a different license!), typical of Takashima Brewery!
Can be thoroughly enjoyed on its own or poured over plenty of ice.
Great with Perrier or any high quality mineral water.
No need to mix it with anything else!
A shochu for all seasons and both genders! Shochu loving ladies will find it very elegant!

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Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
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ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ, 美食, 酒, 野菜, 静岡県, 静岡市, 観光, 魚, 魚海の幸, 農業, Fish, Fish Markets, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japanese Gastronomy, Markets, Meat, S-Pulse Dream Plaza, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Sake, Tourism

Japanese Gastronomy, Markets & Local Products at S-Pulse Dream Plaza in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

November 11, 2013 dragonlife 2 Comments

Kappa Chan at Kaldi Store!

If you have the occasion to visit (choose a rainy day!) Shimizu Ku (formerly Shimizu City before it was merged with Shizuoka City), you ought to try and visit S-Pulse Dream Plaza to have a good look at the local gastronomy in markets and taste it in the many restaurants inside! I can assure you there is lot to investigate as Shimizu is a major fishing harbor in Japan and is surrounded by the greatest variety of agricultural producers!

First of all take the Tokaido Line/JR Line and get off at Shimizu.
Once past the ticket machines turn right, walk to the first exit and go down the stairs!

Once downstairs turn left and look for the bus stop ring!

Your bus stop is just beyond this (strange) sign!

This is the schedule (weekdays on the left and week-ends on the right) for the free limousine bus service to S Pulse Dream Plaza!

Incidentally this is also the bus stop for the free limousine bus to the ferry harbor if you want to take a ferry boat to Toi, Izu Peninsula!

This is your bus!

Board in at any of the two doors!

Alright let’s have a good look at the restaurants and shops on the first (ground) floor!
Suruga Wan Shokudo/Suruga Bay Canteen!

Hatoba Kitchen Restaurant!

I told you that Shimizu is a major fishing harbor!

Kaldi Coffee Farm!
They also serve a great selection of wine, sauces, preserved foods, pasta, etc.!

Tezuka Shoten Ramen JIN Restaurant!

Totoraku, serving fried sakuraebi bowl from Yui among others!

Manmaya Eel Shop!

Shimizu Harbor delicatessen and bento shop!

Kaidoya shop specializing in unusual marine products!

Nobu Chan Fish Market specializing in Shimizu Tuna!

Live TV of their kitchen!

Have a god look at the shop, left and right!

Great and so reasonable fresh sushi bento!

Only seasonal and local as far as fresh fish is concerned!

Live seafood also available!

Spicy Shizuoka Tuna preserves!

And of course the Shizuoka specialty, bonito/katsuo (cooked in this case)!

Kanei Suisan Shop specializing in sundried fish/himono and preserved marine products!

First-class preserved seafood!

Irifune Vegetables & Fruit Market!

Benihoppe/Red Cheeks Strawberries, a Shizuoka specialty since 2002!

Shimizu Groceries Store!

Taki Delicatessen Shop!

Tonkatsu Saboten Shop specializing in tonkatsu!

Great variety of very reasonable bento!

Shinoda Liqueur Shop, one of the very best in Shizuoka Prefecture where you will find local and Japanese drinks of all genres!

Rare shochu from Shizuoka Prefecture!

Shizuoka sake mini cups and mini bottles!

Rare sake from Shizuoka and elsewhere!

At the bottom Shizuoka Craft beers by Bryan Baird and Stephan Rager!

Minato Pan, a great bakery where you can eat onsite!

Mount Fuji melon Bread!

I already have introduced Umi Sushi Restaurant there but there are more to come as well as other shops and attractions!
Stay tuned!

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美食, 酒, 静岡県, 観光, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Negami Brewery-Kinmai Yamahai Tokubetsu Junmai Origarami Nama Genshu

November 10, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

When you are looking for Negami Brewery you need to be on a constant look out and still benefit from a lot of luck!
I found it in S Pulse Dream Plaza of all places and there were two different types, one of nigori/white lees and one of ogarami/little white lees. As there was only one bottle of the latter I didn’t hesitate.

The other interesting aspect was the label which described the brewing in great detail!

The only indication of the Negami Brewery Brewery Negami brand is found in the seal at the bottom left of the label!

Rice: Yamada Nishiki
Milled down to 50% for the koji rice and 60% for the sake rice
Genshu: No water added
Nama; Unpasteurized
Yeast: Shizuoka yeast and brewery yeats
Alcohol: 16~17 degrees
Shubo/Starter: June 28th~August 6th 2013
Moromi/Main mash: August 6th~September 11th
Pressed on Septmebr 11th 2013
Bottled in September 2013

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Golden
Aroma: Discreet and elegant. Alcohol. Fruity: plums, dry persimmons
Body: Fluid, slightly sirupy
Taste: Strong well-rounded attack backed up with pleasant alcohol and puissant junmai petillant.
Dry and complex.
Disappears fairly quickly.
Very fruity: plums, dry persimmons with notes of custard, dark chocolate and raisins.
Surprisingly stands up to food with a sweeter note, but definitely more enjoyable on its own.
Both delicate and assertive in spite of high alcohol content.
Overall: A discovery! And such a rare sake to boot!
Extremely enjoyable and sophisticated.
Makes for a superb aperitif best drunk at room temperature to discover all its changing facets.
Would do brilliantly with cheese and desserts, too!
Pity it is so limited!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

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レシピ, 美食, 酒, 静岡県, 静岡市, 観光, 魚, 魚海の幸, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Photography, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Seafood, sushi, Sushi bars, Sushi restaurants., Tourism

Sushi: Shimizu Sushi Dokoro “Umi” in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

November 8, 2013 dragonlife 6 Comments

Kujira tataki/Seared whale!

Service: Attentive and smiling
Facilities & Equipment: Great cleanliness overall. Suparb washeroom shared with oh\ther sushi restaurants
Prices: Reasonable to slightly expensive
Strong points: Many local fish and seafood in use. Superb product freshness. Great Sake list!
Completely non-smoking!

S Pulse Dream Plaza is famous nationally because of the Shimizu S Pulse Soccer Club but also for the “Sushi Alley” inside on the first floor!
I had a good look at the many restaurants today before choosing Umi!

Simple and great name as Umi/海 means “Sea”!

I know a lot of people who would like to steal these plastic paste models!

Excellent quality discovered from the moment you can peer into the window display!

Completely non-smoking!
Extremely appreciated in the particular case of sushi!
Actually all the restaurants in the building are non-smoking!

Great attention to small details: all sushi served on a beautiful earthenware tray!

They do offer great sets at lunch time, although you may order what you want from thetablets fung on the wall in front of you!
Now, what did I have? (Hold on your seat!)

But first of all I could not resist some local sake: Garyubai Junmai Daiginjo “Kaibin Jurinikaoru” by Sanwa Brewery in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

Kinmedai aburi/seared Splendid Alfonsino!

Akami/lean tuna!

Toro/Tuna fat belly!

Tasty miso soup for later!

Konbu Shime saba/Seaweed marinated mackerel topped with seaweed!

Aburi toro/Seared tuna fat belly!

Tamago yaki!

Akagai/Red blood clam!

Zuwaigani/Snow crab!

Shiro ebi to ikura/White shrimp and salmon roe!

Uni/Sea urchin!

Anago/Conger eel!

Negi toro maki/Grated toro roll!

Then it was time for another glass of local sake: Kokkou Daiginjyo by Kokkou Brewery in Fukuroi City!

I was still hungry so I had Kujira tataki/seared whale!

Beautiful meat served with fresh vegetables and four kinds of seasoning!

And two different dressings!

See you next time I go to Shimizu!

SHIMIZU SUSHI DOKORO “UMI”
Shizuoka City, Shimizu ku, Irifune Cho, 13-15, S Pulse Dream Plaza Bldg, 1F (get off at Shimizu JR Station East Exit and board the free shuttle bus to its final destonation at S Pulse Dream Plaza)
Tel.: 054-354-3700
Opening hours: 11:00~22:00
Credita Cards OK
Completely non-smoking!

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Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Drinks, 酒, 静岡県, 農業, Fujinomiya City, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Sake, Tourism

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Fujinishiki Brewery-Izu Yama Yama Nama Honjozo

November 4, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

I found this limited edition at the station of Izu Nagaoka along the Izu Hakane Railway Line runnning from Mishima City to Shuzenji.
The same brand is sold all over the Izu Peninsula as a regional private brand.
Izu Yama Yama means the Mountains of Izu!

I actually conducted this tatsing session by the side of an open hot spring bath in our room at the Yoshiharu Sap Resort Hotel!

Rice nilled down to 65%
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Nama/Unpasteurized
Bottled in October 2013

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Transparent
Aroma: Assertive and fruity. Dry almonds
Body: Fluid, slightly sirupy
Taste: Well-rounded fruity attack.
Complex. Lots of nuts, macadamia nuts.
Disappears quickly with fruity nuts, hints of custard and notes of apples and chestnuts.
Drier and drier almonds appear on back of the pl\alate with every sip.
Very easy to drink.
I especially enjoyed it a good hour after dinner as a solid and eminently elegant night cap.

Comments: Very pleasurable sake.
Unpretentious but still elegant and so satisfying.
Will please beginners and veterans, ladies and gentlemen alike.
Best appreciated chilled.
Would make for a beautiful and lighter digestif.
You must try it with cheese!
Will surprise many a person with its ever-changing facets!
Since it is sold in small bottles only, it would make a nice present to be enjoyed after a great meal!

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HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

美食, Drinks, 酒, 静岡県, 静岡市, 観光, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Shizuoka Sake, Tourism

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Kumpai Brewery-Kosha No Mori Tokubetsu Honjozo

November 4, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Kosha No Mori is another regular brand that Kumpai produces every year!
Kosha no Mori/木柘の森 means “Japanese Box Forest” as for the tree called Japanese Box!

Rice milled down to 60%
Alcohol: 16 degrees
Bottled in August 2013

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Faint golden hue
Aroma: Dry and fruity. Alcohol. Custard, macadamia nuts, persimmon.
Body: Fluid
Taste: Very dry attack backed up by pleasant alcohol.
Complex.
Very dry fruits. Almonds, custard, with hints of banana and dark chocolate.
Disappears quickly.
Changes little with food except for an accentuated alcohol and a new surge of almonds.
Actually marries well with food, especially izakaya fare.

Overall: A sake obviously conceived to accompany food.
Very dry but fruity and complex making it eminently enjoyable on its own.
A sure value!
Most recommended for BBQ’s!

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HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

美食, Drinks, 酒, 静岡県, 静岡市, 観光, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Sake, Tourism

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Kumpai Brewery-Tenryou no Taki Junmai

November 3, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Tenryou no Taki is one of the regular brand names brewed every year by Kumpai Brewery in Shizuoka City.
Tenryou no Taki/天領の瀧 means “Heavens World’s Waterfall”!

Rice: Biyama Nishiki (Shiga Prefecture)
Rice milled down to 55%
Dryness: 0
Alcohol: 15 degrees
Bptt;ed in July 2013

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Very faint golden hue
Aroma: Dry and fruity. Discreet, difficult to catch. Faint pears and custard
Body: Fluid
Taste: Well-rounded attack with puissant junmai petillant warming up back of the palate .
Very pleasant alcohol.
Very fruity and slightly sweetish.
Complex and rich.
Custard, macadamia nuts, pears, chestnuts.
Disappears fairly quickly on a very pleasant and smooth note with plenty of nuts.
Changes little with food but for a drier and almost spicy note.
Calls for the next cup in spite of its sweetness by Shizuoka standards.
At its best slightly chilled.
Actually takes on a much drier tone with sweet food.

Overall: Elegant and “kind” sake, typical of Kumpai brewery.
Extremely pleasant, especially chilled.
Beautiful on its own, although it marries lovingly with any food, even spicy.
Could be either enjoyed as a magnificent chilled aperitif or digestif!
Pefect with cheese!

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Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Kumpai Brewery: Oni Goroshi Honjozo

October 29, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Interestingly enough, the name “Kumpai/君盃” is not of Japanese origin but came from China where it means “A Drink In Great Friendship”.
The label above represents the crossing of the Abe River by the side of which is located Kumpai Brewery!

Rice milled down to 65%
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Bottled in August 2013

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Light golden hue
Aroma: Dry. Apples, greens, alcohol
Body: Fluid
Taste: Strong fruity attack backed up by very pleasant alcohol.
More complex and deeper than expected.
Disappears fairly quickly with plenty of nuts and almonds.
Changes little with food.
Stays very fruity all the time with appearance of very dry oranges and nuts.
Tends to become more and more complex with the next sip.

Overall: A surprising sake by Kumpai Brewery.
I understand now why a seemingly simple honjozo has been their trademark in spite of the beutiful premium sake they produce.
A sake for all seasons, all occasions, all temperatures!
A sure value I would recommend to beginners and veterans alike!

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HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

美食, Drinks, 酒, 静岡県, 静岡市, 観光, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Suruga Brewery: Tenkou Tokubetsu Junmai

October 28, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

After acquiring the defunct Yoshiya Brewery (Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku) license and continuing their brands such as Chumasa, Oni Goroshi and Tokaido, Suruga Brewery in Suruga Ku, Shizuoka City adopted the brand name of “Tenkou/天虹” meaning “heaven rainbow”!

It is a tokubetsu junmai!

Rice: Biyama Nishiki (Shiga Prefecture)
Rice milled down to 60%
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Dryness: + 2
Acidity: 1.9
Bottled in October 2013

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Very faint golden hue
Aroma: Strong. Pears, apples.
Body: Fluid
Taste: Strong attack backed up by assertive junmai petillant and pleasant alcohol and welcome acidity.
Complex and fruity. Pears, custard.
Disappears quickly on an even drier note with more custard and nuts and faint greens.
Takes a back step with food but reasserts itself quickly once away from it again.

Overall: A typical Shizuoka sake with all the usual facets, although stronger in approach than most.
The comparatively higher acidity makes it utterly enjoyable on its own.
Another sure value to keep in mind at all times of the year!

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Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Sanwa Brewery-Garyubai Junmai Ginjo

October 26, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Sanwa Brewery in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City has this famous label for one of its Junmai Ginjo representing two drinkers of the Edo Period and I know a lot of people who like to collect it!

Most of their sake are called Garyubai these days, a name which can be traced back to a local temple!

Rice: Gohyakumangoku (Toyama Prefecture)
Rice milled down to 60%
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Dryness: + 3
Acidity: 1.4
Bottled in August 2013

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Faint golden hue
Aroma: Dry and fruity. Pears, macadamia nuts, custard
Body: Fluid, slightly sirupy
Taste: Very dry attack backed up by puissant junmai petillant.
Very nutty at first with hints of oranges and custard.
Lingers for a while warming up back of the palate and tongue.
Mellows somewhat with food.
Turns quickly back to strong dryness away from food.

Overall: Straight forward dry sake best suited for food, especially heavy izakaya food.
Sake concept very different from mainstream shizuoka brews. The toji/brewmaster is of the Nanbu School from Iwate Prefecture and never uses the Shizuoka yeasts.
can be enjoyed at all temperatures in spite of its elevated status. Would do well at a BBQ!

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