Japanese Cuisine · Sake Reviews

Ninki-Ichi Gold Junmai Daiginjo Review: A Clash Of Sweet And Savoury

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Within the sake industry, there’s an ongoing debate between the merits of junmai and non-junmai sake. Junmai sake contains no added alcohol, while non-junmai contains a small batch of brewer’s alcohol.

Depending on preferences, some might argue that junmai daiginjo is the holy grail of sake because of its connotations of being premium and pure.  Curious to find out about whether junmai daiginjo is a drink worth dying for, I recently tasted Ninki-Ichi Gold junmai daiginjo. Continue reading “Ninki-Ichi Gold Junmai Daiginjo Review: A Clash Of Sweet And Savoury” →

Japanese Cuisine · Pop Culture and Japan

What The Hell Is Koji? (Sake On Air Review)

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When it comes to unique drinking cultures, Japan is a country with plenty to talk about. Drinks like nihonshu and awamori are complex and contradictory, adding to the intrigue of the Japanese alcohol industry. For anyone who is interested in learning more about sake, there are podcasts like Sake On Air, which go into detail about the industry and why Japanese beverages have become so popular in the west.

Understanding the sake brewing process is an integral part of learning how to drink it and koji is an essential ingredient. In case you’re scratching your head and wondering what koji is, the creators of Sake On Air have released an episode that gives a helpful introduction into Japan’s national mold. Continue reading “What The Hell Is Koji? (Sake On Air Review)” →

Japanese Cuisine · Sake Reviews

The Drink Of Demon Hunters And Devil Killers: Genbei-San No Onikoroshi Honjozo

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The world of sake is made up of some of the most multifaceted drinks on the market. From the complex flavours of nihonshu, to the experiential drinking that comes from trying shochu, there’s plenty to enjoy about the Japanese alcohol industry. A traditional view of sake is that it meant to be consumed warm, but it can be enjoyed at cold temperatures as well.

When trying the Genbei-San No Onikoroshi, I opted for the traditionalist approach of having it served warm. The result was a sake that not only created a different drinking experience, but also gave me an appreciation for alternative forms of drinkware. Continue reading “The Drink Of Demon Hunters And Devil Killers: Genbei-San No Onikoroshi Honjozo” →

Japanese Cuisine · Sake Reviews

Junmai Ginjo Cel-24 Eternal Spring Review: A Delightful Namazake Bursting With Flavour

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Sake is one of the most fascinating aspects of Japanese culture. Whether it’s getting involved in a debate between the merits of junmai vs non-junmai sake, or learning about different brewing styles, nothing is ever as it seems in the sake industry. One topic can lead you down a rabbit hole and bring up a host of new questions and anecdotes.

The best way to learn about sake is to taste it, which is why I’m presenting a review of the  Kameizumi brewing company’s junmai ginjo Cel-24 Eternal Spring sake. Continue reading “Junmai Ginjo Cel-24 Eternal Spring Review: A Delightful Namazake Bursting With Flavour” →

Japanese Cuisine · Japanese Whisky Reviews

Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky Review: Slow Burn Sweetness At Its Finest

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In an effort to broaden my understanding of Japanese culture, I’ve taken to sampling different types of Japanese alcohol. The brewing methods involved in Japanese alcohol are elegant, refined and complex, contributing towards some of the most multifaceted drinks on the market. This sophisticated brewing process is at the heart of why so many different types of Japanese whisky have become popular with western consumers.

Next on my list of Japanese whisky reviews is Nikka Coffey Grain. Made it the innovative Coffey Still that was developed by Aeneas Coffey in 1830, this type of whisky has an exquisite slow burn texture that is perfect for enjoying while sitting in an armchair in front of a roaring fire. Continue reading “Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky Review: Slow Burn Sweetness At Its Finest” →

Poetry

Oyabun

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There’s an old saying in the night markets of Tokyo

“A frog in a well does not know the great sea”

I never really understood what it meant

Until I found myself wandering the backstreets of Kabukichō

Looking for a reason not to go home

There’s something otherworldly about the place

A neon heaven calling to wayward souls

Like moths to a flame

On the way to a hostess bar

I cut through an alleyway

To see a parliament of black-suited men

Looming over a prone figure

The poor bastard had been beaten to a pulp

But he wasn’t who I was focusing on

One man stood apart from the group

He was the shortest among them

Yet somehow stood the tallest

Eyes the colour and hardness of flint

Stared in my direction

I’ve seen all kinds of stares in my life

Good, bad, happy, sad,

This man had none of them

His was a fathomless look

The kind you might expect from God

I have no idea how long I was standing there

Dumbstruck and exposed

But all it took was a simple nod from the man

A free pass to forget what I’d witnessed

And the spell was broken

The frog met the sea that night

Turns out wells are pretty damn comfortable

Japanese Cuisine · Pop Culture and Japan

The Dos And Don’ts Of A Japanese Tea Ceremony (According To A Legendary Samurai)

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A traditional Japanese tea ceremony is one of the most important aspects of Japanese culture. A celebration of harmony and the transience of life, the tea ceremony can be a transformative experience, and like many traditions, the ceremony was a crucial part of the samurai lifestyle.

In addition to being fierce warriors, samurai were meant to be cultured and poetic. They placed great value on the Zen nature of the tea ceremony and believed it needed to be carried out in a certain way. The famous samurai Umawatari Bogyu was one of many warriors who adhered to strict tradition, and in his opinion, the tea ceremony could only be enjoyed under a set of specific rules. Continue reading “The Dos And Don’ts Of A Japanese Tea Ceremony (According To A Legendary Samurai)” →

Women Warriors

Women Warriors: Dash Chisako

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Women Warriors highlights the stories of Japanese women who live inspiring lives. The professional wrestling industry has provided a launch pad for many Japanese women who have wanted to lead a fulfilling career.  And one of the most talented Japanese wrestlers of the modern era is Chisako Jumonji, AKA Dash Chisako. Having built a reputation on the indie wrestling scene as a hardcore specialist, Dash has captured the imagination of wrestling fans around the world. Continue reading “Women Warriors: Dash Chisako” →

Shochu Reviews

Starting My Journey Into The Realm Of Shochu With Bizan Clear

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Japanese sake consists of some of the most multifaceted drinks I’ve ever tasted, and it’s become something of a mission to improve my knowledge about as many different varieties as possible. Shochu is a big part of the sake world. Blended from a mixture of sweet potato, buckwheat, barley, kokuto brown sugar and other ingredients, shochu can be described as kind of diet whisky.

Having learned about shochu from the engaging Christopher Pellegrini, I tracked down a Japanese restaurant in my native city of Manchester that sold the beverage. Read on to discover my thoughts on trying shochu for the very first time. Continue reading “Starting My Journey Into The Realm Of Shochu With Bizan Clear” →

Japanese Cuisine

Tuck Into A Sashimi Feast At Sushi Marvel In Manchester

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The Japanese food scene in Manchester is among the best in the UK. Ramen joints, fusion restaurants and street food vendors offer some of the most diverse eating experiences within the city, and another Japanese food venue that deserves to be recognised is Sushi Marvel. A Japanese delicatessen, Sushi Marvel have sites in the leafy suburb of Chorlton and the hip city neighbourhood of Ancoats. Continue reading “Tuck Into A Sashimi Feast At Sushi Marvel In Manchester” →