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How Do I Order Sake in Japan?
Crash course in Japan’s rice wine ritual
If you order sake at a Japanese restaurant, you may notice that the menu can be a little confusing at first.
You may see the region where the sake comes from, the sake’s name, terms such as 純米吟醸 (Junmai Ginjo), and descriptions of its taste. You may also have to choose between a glass (グラス) and ichi-go (一合).
Here’s how I usually choose sake, and a few things that may help when you order it in Japan.
Start with Ichi-go
One of the first things you may notice on a sake menu is ichi-go (一合).
One ichi-go is 180 ml of sake. You can certainly enjoy one on your own.
When I go out for dinner with friends, though, I often order one ichi-go and ask for an ochoko (お猪口) for each person.
I find 180 ml is a good amount for two or three people to share. Rather than ordering one ichi-go per person, we can share one sake and then order another ichi-go of a different sake if we want to try something else.
This way, we can enjoy several different kinds of sake during one meal.
For example, the menu in the photo offers a glass for ¥800 and one ichi-go for ¥1,300. If you’re dining alone, a glass may be a…
