Hinoki Restaurant & Bar. Forest Hills, New York
A sake gem hiding out in New York’s “Outer Boroughs,” Hinoki is a great addition to the area’s selection of Japanese restaurants. It is, by far, the most “Izakaya” style spot in the area and sports a constantly evolving food menu headlined by a mix of traditional bar bites, skewers, and an increasingly large sushi selection. But the real stand-out at Hinoki is their sake list. Popular names like Hakkaisan, Kenbishi, Tatenokawa, and Kudoki Jozu adorn the menu alongside exceptional One Cups from Chiyomusubi and Kuruoshi. With more than 25 selections from all over Japan, Hinoki easily has one of the most comprehensive sake lists in the borough and it’s probably the only place in the area where the server will pour your sake for you at your table in the traditional “masu overflow” style. Cherish it.
Kameizumi Junmai Ginjo Nama Genshu
The deliciously unique Kameizumi Junmai Ginjo Nama Genshu is finally available in the west and is one of the subjects of out latest video! Crisp, sweet, bold, and fruity, this Kochi Prefecture delight is not to be missed.
Kaori Tsuru Junmai Daiginjo
It’s blisteringly hot in NYC today, so we’re staying indoors with this hidden gem from Yamaguchi’s Yamagata Honten, Kaori Tsuru. Its light, tropical aroma and refreshing, citrusy flavor makes it a fantasitc sake for a warm afternoon.
Passport to Japan at Brooklyn Kura
New York's own Brooklyn Kura opened up their tap room to thirteen breweries from all over Japan to join them in giving brooklynites a chance to talk about sake with the very people who make it.
Every spring, the Sake Export Association hosts a series of fantastic events in New York featuring both brewers and brewery owners pouring and talking about their fantastic sake.
As a part of this year's festivities, New York's own Brooklyn Kura opened up their tap room to thirteen breweries from all over Japan to join them in giving brooklynites a chance to talk about sake with the very people who make it.
Brooklyn Kura has been hosting sake events since the opening of their Tap Room earlier this year.
Nanbu Shuzo's Takuya Nambu pours John a taste of their excellent Hanagaki UsunigoriJunmai Daiginjo.
Myshell, lover of Hiroshima Sake shares a moment with Miho Imada, brewer of Hiroshima Sake
Sake brewers, Kensuke Shichida, Yaichi Doi, and Yuri Honda take a moment to relax after pouring sake for thirsty customers
Brooklyn Kura
68 34th St.
Brooklyn, NY 11232
(347) 766-1601
Enter Sake Black Dot Honjozo
Honjozo tends to get a bad rap in the US sake world, but this offering, brewed by Sekiya Brewery in Aichi Prefecture and brought overseas under @richiehawtin ’s @entersake label dares you to think about Honjozo in a new way with its light nose, subtle hints of fruit, and slightly dry finish. #sake #entersake #honjozo #blackdot #愛知県 ＃日本酒
Gozenshu 9 Junmai
Gozenshu 9 Junmai combines Omachi rice with the ancient bodaimoto method to bring a unique and aggressive umami taste that’s great for both sipping and pairing. #sake #nihonshu #junmai #okayama #bodaimoto #gozenshu9 #gozenshu #日本酒 #純米酒
Kikusui Junmai Daiginjo
Tonight we are celebrating our second wedding anniversary with bottle that we picked up in Japan last year for this very occasion. Junmai Daiginjo from Niigata’s Kikusui with a very special custom label. Thank you everyone who has been there for us over the years! #sakeanniversary #sake #niigata #junmaidaiginjo #kikusui #sakemonday #日本酒 #純米大吟醸 #菊水酒造
Soma No Tengu Junmai Ginjo Nama Genshu
Going outside of my comfort zone tonight and into my wife’s territory with this big, bold namagenshu from Shiga prefecture. Soma No Tengu’s unpasturized usunigori is bold and memorable with crisp notes of green apple. This is a fresh, flavorful sake that you do not want to miss out on. #sake #sakesunday #nihonshu #namasake #floatingworld #genshu #日本酒 #生酒 #原酒 #somanotengu #shiga #junmaiginjo #usunigori #純米吟醸 #杣の天狗純米吟醸 #杣の天狗
Okunomatsu Ginjo
Okunomatsu Ginjo is a lovely Ginjo from one of my favorite Fukushima breweries. Fruity, mellow, and subtly complex, this one is easy to recommend to anyone. #sake #saketime #saketuesday #nihonshu #ginjo #fukushima #okunomatsu #sakekanpai #saketotheworld #日本酒 #吟醸酒 #福島酒 #福島
Fukuju Junmai Ginjo
Tonight we’re sipping Fukuju Junmai Ginjo, light and approachable with subtle nudge of umami. This one falls into that wonderful “so smooth you accidently finished your glass” catagory! #sake #nihonshu #junmaiginjo #fukuju #hyogo #sakemonday #日本酒 #純米吟醸 #福寿 #酒乾杯 #乾杯 #saketotheworld #sakekanpai
Chiyomusubi Oyaji Gokuraku Junmai Ginjo
It turns out that the kushi-katsu at @azasunyc pairs fantastically with Chiyomusubi’s Oyaji Gokuraku Junmai Ginjo, Kampai! #sake #tottori #nihonshu #junmaiginjo #eyeball #日本酒 #純米吟醸 #cupsake #sakethursday #sakethursdays #sakekampai #saketotheworld (at Azasu)
Brooklyn Kura "Lake Suwa" Junmai Ginjo
Loitering a bit at the newly opened Omakasa in Midtown. It feels kind of great to sit down and order a glass of @brooklynkura ’s sake just a few blocks from my office. #sake #sakemidtown #sakewednesdays #sakewednesdays #omakasa #nihonshu #brooklynkura #sakenyc #sakekampai #junmaiginjo #日本酒 #生酒 #純米吟醸
Nanbu Bijin Ruten Junmai Ginjo
Nanbu Bijin #Ruten is probably the rarest of this award-winning #iwate brewey’s New York selections, but it’s certainly one of my favorites. Made with Miyamanishiki rice, it’s light and clean with a subtle richness that sneaks up of you! #sake #sakemonday #sakemondays #junmaiginjo #miyamanishiki #nihonshu #sakenyc #sakekampai #nanbubijin #nanbubijinsake #日本酒 #南部美人 #純米吟醸
Born Gold Junmai Daiginjo
Elegant, light, and very easy to drink, it doesn’t take much to understand why the Born brand is legendary. Gotta love Born Gold. #Borngold #sake #junmaidaiginjo #junmaidaiginjyo #sakesaturday #sakesaturdays #nihonshu #日本酒 #fukui #fukuisake #disneyinfinity #ironman #tonystark #純米大吟醸
Shichida Junmai Ginjo Nama
Sometimes it feels as if Shichida’s Junmai Ginjo Nama actually gets better every year. Incredibly bold, flavorful, and full of a refreshing crispness, this is an absolutely fantastic example of nama sake! #sake #sakekampai #saketotheworld #shichida #saga #sagasake #tenzan #七田 #日本酒 #純米吟醸 #生酒 #nihonshu #nama #namasake #junmaiginjo
Ninki-Ichi “Purple” Junmai Daiginjo
One of my favorite sakes from #fukushima , Ninki-Ichi’s “Purple” Junmai Daiginjo, is fragrant and medium-bodied with a clean, dry finish. A fantastic JDG, particularly for the price. #sakekampai #sake #sakethursdays #junmaidaiginjo #ninkiichi #ninkiichibrewery #fukushimasake #disneyinfinity #hawkeye #日本酒 #純米大吟醸 #福島日本酒 #福島
Enter.Sake Heiwa Junmai
Enter.Sake Heiwa Junmai from Heiwa Shuzo, known for their “Kid” line in Japan, is a huge favorite of mine. Refreshing and utterly drinkable. I’m so glad this brewery finally has an offering available in the west. #sake #enter.sake #heiwa #junmai #純米酒 ＃日本酒 #平和酒造 #和歌山市 #nycsake #nyc #incredibles #nycsake #nihonshu #dash
Kokuryu Hachiyuhachigo Daiginjo Genshu
Sometimes get to treat yourself. Kokuryu Hachiyuhachigo (eighty-eight) Daiginjo Genshu eschews the light tastes more commonly associated with a super premium daiginjo in favor of being all-in on savory umami flavors. #sake #fukui #daiginjo #日本酒 #大吟醸酒 #福井県 #福井日本酒 #sakesunday #saber #セイバー
Amabuki Gin No Kurenai Junmai
You’ve probably never had a sake like Amabuki’s Gin no Kurenai Junmai. It’s light pink color deceptively implies a very sweet affair, only to present a delightfully complex and rich taste with delicious hints of fruit. #sake #junmai #amabuki #saga #sagasake #saturdaynightsake #happyhour #nihonshu #sakenyc #日本酒 #純米酒
Brooklyn Kura's Taproom Opening
Tonight we are at the long awaited opening of @brooklynkura ’s tap room! They are serving up five different varieties including an exclusive shiboritate and moromi!#sake #sakenyc #brooklynkura #shiboritate #nycsake #nyc (at Brooklyn Kura)