#Japan #Tokyo #Japanese Sake #Sake Culture #WA Sake WA Food

WA Sake WA Food: A New Wave in Japanese Sake

In September 2025, a new culinary landmark, WA Sake WA Food, opened its doors in Tamachi, Tokyo, with a mission to redefine the Japanese sake experience. Amid a growing economic crisis impacting the sake industry, which is increasingly feeling the effects of rising sake rice prices, this new eatery aims to bolster the sake culture right from the point of consumption.

The Impact of the Recent Rice Crisis

Recently, Japan has been grappling with what is dubbed the “Reiwa Rice Crisis.” While prices for table rice have begun to stabilize, sake rice, crucial for sake production, continues to rise dramatically, creating turbulence in many breweries across the country. Concerns about price increases and diminished production loom over freshly brewed sake slated for release this coming spring. Taking this challenge head-on, WA Sake WA Food emerges as an establishment determined to maintain and promote the essence of Japanese sake.

A Unique Approach to Sake and Dining

At WA Sake WA Food, customers are encouraged to enjoy sake in a modern, innovative manner. The restaurant is staffed by trained sake sommeliers, who carefully select the perfect pairings of sake to complement each dish, offering a unique tasting experience like no other. Gone are the rigid classifications of serving suggestions; the restaurant embraces creativity with options like carbonated sake, on-the-rocks servings, and various mixology creations. A highlight is the KEG DRAFT system, providing a fresh and exhilarating experience with draft sake brought directly from the brewery. There is even an exciting program for original blended sake, tailored on-site to expand the enjoyment of this traditional beverage.

Culinary Creations: A Menu Tailored for Sake

The menu at WA Sake WA Food is designed around one central theme: elevating the enjoyment of sake through exquisitely crafted dishes. The culinary vision melds Japanese and Western techniques, allowing the natural umami and aroma of the ingredients to shine.

Some standout dishes include:

• - Fresh Yuba with Ikura and Sea Urchin in Tosazu Jelly: a signature dish that highlights the delicate flavors of the sea.
• - Five Varieties of Creative Sashimi: prepared to enhance the natural flavors of each ingredient.
• - Marinated Salmon Rare Cutlet: crisp on the outside, rare inside, served with two sauce options for a unique taste experience.
• - Potato Salad with a Carbonara Twist: freshly grated cheese adds a delightful finishing touch.
• - Duck and Seasonal Root Vegetable Clay Pot Rice: a match made in culinary heaven.
• - Saba and Seasonal Vegetables in Dashi Shabu: enticingly fresh mackerel served shabu-shabu style.

A Carefully Curated Sake Selection

WA Sake WA Food prides itself on offering carefully selected sake varieties sourced from breweries across Japan. Each selection reflects the unique characteristics of its region and the ethos of its creators.

Some notable selections include:

• - Tenjyu Sake Brewery (Akita): Junmai Daiginjo “Chokaisan” is crafted using water from the melting snow of the majestic Chokai mountain, resulting in a crisp and refreshing flavor.
• - Aizakura Sake Brewery (Akita): Junmai Ginjo “Aizakura,” formulated through long-term low-temperature fermentation to harness distinct flavors during its brewing process in the harsh winter months.
• - Sanyou Sake Brewery (Hyogo): Junmai “Banshu Ikken,” crafted exclusively with locally sourced rice, showcases a strong commitment to regional authenticity.

• - Matsumoto Sake Brewery (Kyoto): Junmai “Sawaya Matsumoto,” known for its meticulous selection of ingredients and traditional brewing techniques.
• - Eiga Sake Brewery (Hyogo): the Junmai “Nihondamashii Mizumoto Special II,” revives traditional production methods still in use since the Edo period.

The Owner’s Vision

The owner of WA Sake WA Food is passionate about making sake more accessible and enjoyable for a larger audience. After acquiring a sommelier certification, the vision goes beyond mere consumption to crafting an experience that highlights the cultural significance behind the beverage. The owner aspires to provide an inviting space that serves as a bridge between sake breweries and consumers, hoping to foster deeper appreciation for the world of Japanese sake.

Practical Information

• - Name: WA Sake WA Food
• - Address: 5-15-2 Shiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-0014, Japan
• - Access: A 5-minute walk from Tamachi Station or Mita Station
• - Hours: Lunch: 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM (Last order: 1:30 PM) / Dinner: 5:00 PM - 11:30 PM (Last order: 10:30 PM)
• - Closed: Sundays
• - Capacity: 10 counter seats, 12 table seats, 1 private room accommodating up to 8 people
• - Website: WA Sake WA Food
• - Instagram: WA Sake WA Food on Instagram

To learn more about this innovative dining destination, guests can reach out to the PR department of ADWORK via email at [email protected] or call at 090-3375-1074.