Sake is a Japanese rice wine made by fermenting rice that has been polished to remove the bran.
Types and Grades of Japanese Sake
The classification is based on how much you polish rice and whether distilled alcohol is added or not. As you see from a table, the less the rice is polished, the higher the grade of sake. If the rice polishing rate is 50% or lower, the Sake is called Dai-ginjo. If it is 60% or lower, then the Sake is classified as Ginjo. If it is 70% or lower, then it is called Honjozo. Another thing you should know about the classification is whether distilled alcohol has been added to Sake or not. If no distilled alcohol is added, it is called Junmai, which means pure rice. If you find Junmai as a prefix to grade of sake, it shows that no alcohol was added to the sake, like Junmai Daiginjo and Junmai Ginjo. Junmai Honjozo is called simply: Junmai.
After fermentation, Higher Polishing distilled Alcohol is Translation grade rate Not Added or added "Dai-ginjo" 50% or Junmai means ultra- Dai-Gingo less Dai-gingo super premium "Ginjo" Junmai Ginjo means super Ginjo 60% or premium less "Tokubetsu" Tokubetsu Tokubetsu means Honjozo Junmai special. 70% or Honjozo Junmai premium less Futsu-shu “Futsuu” Lower >70% (Regular means grade sake) regular
Nihonshudo= Sake's sweet spectrum
The range starts from usually -10 to +15 (+3 is middle) however theorically unlimited The lower the number is, the sweeter taste goes.
Sake
-10 +3 +15 Nihonshudo ├─────────┼─────────┤ SWEET MIDDLE DRY
Kizakura Kyono Tokuri Junmai Kinpaku (Kyoto) 180ml $18 Nihonshudo +1 Polishing ratio 70% Alcohol 14% Aromatic, mellow, light, semi dry Junmai sake with real gold flakes in a cute Tokuri shaped bottle. Best serve warm.
Kizakura Honjozo Nigori (Kyoto) 300ml $22 Nihonshudo -35 Polishing ratio 70% Alcohol 9.5% Fresh light flavoured, low alcohol, mild, sweet and sour taste unfiltered sake Best serve chilled.
Kizakura Junmai Ginjo Tokusen Hana (Kyoto) 300ml $24 Nihonshudo -8 Polishing ratio 60% Alcohol 12% Clean, light and semi sweet Junmai Ginjo sake with beautiful floral fragrance up front from Kizakura original Hana Kobo (flower yeast) and crisp finish Best serve chilled
Tatsuriki Tokubetsu Junmai Mukashi (Hyougo) 180ml $28 Nihonshudo +3 Polishing ratio 65% Alcohol 16.5% Rich, clean and full body sake using 100% Yamada Nishiki rice (the best quality sake rice in Japan). Best serve with any temperature.
Eikun Junmai Ginjo Koto Sen Nen (Kyoto) 300ml $36 Nihonshudo +3 Polishing ratio 55% Alcohol 15% Starts with a heady floral bouquet and mildly sweet upfront palate of green melon and grapes, briskly ends with acidic, dry persuasive tail. Best serve with any temperature.
Hana-Kohaku Plum Sake (Wakayama) 300ml $32 Nihonshudo -57 Polishing ratio 60% Alcohol 12.7% This unique sake is made with a blend of Junmai sake and Japanese plum extract. This sake is mildly sweet with pleasant citrus like acidity. Good paired with pork dishes but also dessert. Best serve chilled.
Asabiraki Namburyu Densho Zukuri Daiginjo (Iwate) 300ml $38 Nihonshudo +4 Polishing ratio 50% Alcohol 15.5% A beautiful Nashi pear fragrance with a big impact at the first sip. However, the body is quite mild and thin with a dry crisp finish. Best serve chilled or room temperature
Tatsuriki Daiginjo Komeno Sasayaki (Hyougo) 300ml $86 Nihonshudo +3 Polishing ratio 40% Alcohol 17.5% Full body type Daiginjo with a very rich aroma like a ripe melon. It comes with softness on a palate then complex layers of sweetness and richness spread widely at the end and a short acid tail. Best serve chilled.
Sake by Flask
-10 +3 +15 Nihonshudo ├─────────┼─────────┤ SWEET MIDDLE DRY
Kizakura Yamahai Jikomi (Kyoto) 200ml/300ml $15 Nihonshudo +1 Polishing ratio 70% Alcohol 15%. $20 Yamahai Jikomi is a traditional slow fermentation technique process at low temperatures with extra time and care. Which gives this sake width & depth in a flavour and semi dry taste with a good amount of acid. Best serve chilled and room temperature.
Rihaku Junmai Blue Purity (Shimane) 200ml/300ml $18 Nihonshudo +5 Polishing ratio 68% Alcohol 14.8% $24 Rihaku Junmai Blue Purity is made from Shimane prefectures original invented local grown rice called Kannomai, that have a light, smooth & dry flavour profile. Dryness & Umami of Shimane local rice Kannomai is perfectly balanced. Best serve chilled and room temperature.
Ippin Awase Yuzu Sake (Ibaraki) 200ml/300ml $25 Nihonshudo -20 Alcohol 8% $35 Sake incorporating two type of Yuzu (Japanese citrus fruit) adding sweetness and fragrance. Everyone can enjoy this sweet and aromatic Sake result from the use of fresh Yuzu. Best serve chilled.
Yukinobousha Junmai Ginjo (Akita) 200ml/300ml $25 Nihonshudo +1 Polishing ratio 50% Alcohol 16% $35 This sake brewery is famous specialized in premium grade. It has beautiful fruity Ginjo fragrance. Soon as you sip it, a fruit basket of apple, pear and melon spreads slowly all over your mouth. Also, very clean & subtle on your palate with slightly dry finish. Best serve chilled, room temperature or warm
Tateyama Junmai Ginjo (Toyama) 200ml/300ml $26 Nihonshudo +3 Polishing ratio 59% Alcohol 15.5% $38 Hokuriku area No.1 sake brewery Tateyama's high-quality product. A fragrance of apple or nashi pear, which most likely comes from rice, is just enough to attract your nose and gives you a fresh appeal of Junmai Ginjo. Once you sip it, full of sweetness & Umami of rice coat your tongue softly. It's rich and nice dry sharp finish. Best serve with any temperature
Goka Sennenju Junmai Daiginjo (Hyogo) 200ml/300ml $32 Nihonshudo 0 Polishing ratio 50% Alcohol 15.7% $46 The tremendous nose on this superb Daiginjo is a vast array of watermelon, strawberry, banana, vanilla, and steamed koji (sweet) rice. This sake is simply a flavor rush with an ending of hush. Awarded the 2011 Monde Selection Grand Gold Medal in Brussels. Excellent paring with Sashimi and Sushi. Best serve room temperature.
Michisakari Junmai (Daiginjo) (Gifu) 200ml/300ml/720ml $30 Nihonshudo +12 Polishing ratio 45% Alcohol 15.3% $44 Very famous dry sake known in all over Japan. Michisakari, its quality is $100 categorized in Daiginjo / Junmai Daiginjo class, but brewery describes it as Junmai to provide to more many people. Super clean, smooth, not much fragrance then super dry crisp finish. Very mineral & savory flavour that makes your dish tastes twice better at least. Best serve with any temperature
Cocktail
Miyako(都) :the Metropolitan $16 Japanese Rice Shochu Shaken with Vodka, Shiso (Japanese herb) Plum Wine, Shiso Juice and Cranberry Juice
Ginza Dream $16 Japanese Plum wine with Orange juice, Vanilla liquor and cream
Sweet Imo $16 Sweet Potato Shochu, Barley Shochu, Almond Liquor and Pineapple Juice with Grenadine Syrup
Matcha Margarita $17 Green tea Plum Wine Shaken with Tequila, Yuzu Liquor and Lemon Juice
Ocean Paradise $16 Seaweed Shochu, Malibu Coconut Rum, Blue Curacao and Lime Juice
Japanese Slipper $15 Midori, Cointreau Shaken with Lemon Juice
Japanese Umeshu (Sweet Plum Wine)
Choya Extra Years 60ml $12 Aged for 2-3 years with only 100% Japanese premium Nanko ume(plum) fruit. Displays an initial rich sweetness with notes of almond & marzipan which are then elegantly balanced by a natural vibrant acidity
Choya Classic 50ml $10 Balanced sweet & tart taste of the ume(plum) with notes of almond from the ume pit
Choya Shiso (Japanese mint) 60ml $11 Balanced sweet & tart taste of the ume(plum) flavoured with shiso(Japanese mint), which gives this umeshu its unique red colour & aroma
Choya Kokuto (Black sugar) 60ml $9 Rich and mellow flavour from dark rum with notes of minerals and ume fruit
Choya Uji Green Tea 60ml $9 Umeshu infused with the best Japanese green tea from the Uji region in Kyoto
Japanese Whisky
Kamitaka Japanese Whisky 30ml $15 mineral, balanced, smooth, clean, good finish
Akashi White Oak Blue Blended Whisky 30ml $18 rich, woody, oaky
Mars Iwai Tradition Japanese Whisky 30ml $15 woody, smoky, tough
Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt 30ml $18 spice, clean, long finish
Wakatsuru Junenmyo Japanese Whisky 30ml $18 smooth, smoky, clean
Yamazakura Black Label Fine Blended Whisky 30ml $22 smooth, mineral, long finish
*Subject to market availability*
Japanese Shochu (Japanese Spirits)
Shironotakumi Kome(Rice) Shochu 30ml $9 Shironotakumi is a Japanese traditional barley made spirit called “Kome” shochu. Slowly fermented in low temperature, gently distilled by low pressure, filtered through bamboo charcoal. As a result, Shironotakumi Kome Shochu has beautiful fruity fragrance, clean & smooth touch on a palate with dry crisp finish.
Kakushigura Mugi(barley) Shochu 30ml $9 kakushigura is a Japanese traditional barley made spirit called “Mugi” shochu. Aged in oak barrels for 3 years, kakushigura has a beautiful fragrance like a whisky, and smooth & rich flavour with depth.
Kaido Imo(Sweet Potato) Shochu Iwai no Aka 30ml $9 kaido is a Japanese traditional sweet potato made spirit called “Imo” shochu. Made from Kagoshima prefecture's high quality sweet potato & clean deep ocean water, KAIDO has a smooth, clean and slightly sweet flavour with richness.
Sparkling Wine
Glass Bottle
Bleasdale Sparkling Shiraz $58 Longhorne Creek
Dunes&Greene Chardonnay Pinot Noir $11 South Australia
Spring Seed ‘Gypsy’ Blanc de Blanc $48 Marlborough, NZ
Spring Seed Sweet Pea Moscato $46 McLaren Vale
Chaffey Bros Funkel Punkt Sparkling $64 Eden Valley
Nautilus Estate Cuvee NV $98 Marlborough, NZ
Pol Roger Brut Reserve Champagne NV $180 Epernay, Champagne, France
Rosé
Glass Bottle
Rockford Alicante Bouchet $62 Barossa Valley
Skillogalee Rose $12 $52 Clare Valley
La Vie En Rose $48 Languedoc, France
White Wine
Glass Bottle Angove Long Row Moscato $10 South Australia
Rockford Hand Picked Riesling $66 Eden Valley
Jim Barry The Lodge Hill Riesling $12 $52 Clare Valley
Nepenthe Altitude Sauvignon Blanc $12 $50 Adelaide Hill
Mt Difficulty Roaring Meg Sauvignon Blanc $12 $50 Central Otago, NZ
Hand Crafted by Geoff Hardy Fiano $11 $50 Adelaide HIll
William Fevre Petit Chablis $78 Chablis, France
Bethany Winery Chardonnay $12 $50 Barossa Valley
Forest Hill Estate Chardonnay (Oak Barrel Aged) $64 Mount Barker, Great Southern, WA
First Drop "Endless Summer" Pinot Grigio $11 $50 Adelaide Hill
Cirillo ‘1850’ Old Vine Semillon $76 Barossa Valley
Red Wine
Glass Bottle Running with Bulls Tempranillo $11 $50 Barossa Valley
Chaffey Bros Pax Aeterna “Barossa Nouveau” Grenache $60 Barossa Valley
BK Wines Skin & Bones Pinot Noir $66 Adelaide Hills
Nepenthe Altitude Pinot Noir $12 $52 Adelaide Hills
Paringa Estate Peninsula Pinot Noir $62 Mornington Peninsula, VIC
Kalleske Clarry’s GSM (Grenache Shiraz Mataro) $13 $54 Barossa Valley
Coriole Winery Sangiovese $64 McLaren Vale
First Drop Mother's Milk Shiraz $12 $50 Barossa Valley
Hollick Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon $74 Coonawarra and Wrattonbully
Zerella ‘4056’ Cabernet Sauvignon $12 $52 McLaren Vale
Cirillo Single Vineyard Mataro $76 Barossa Valley
Chaffey Bros Super Barossa Shiraz & Cabernet Sauvignon $76 Barossa Valley
Rockford Basket Press Shiraz $190 Barossa Valley
Jim Barry The Benbournie Cabernet Sauvignon $180 Clare Valley
Japanese Beer
Asahi on The Tap 300ml $11
Sapporo on The Tap 300ml $10
Kirin Ichiban 330ml $10
Echigo Rice Beer 500ml $17
Yamaguchi Beer Weizen 330ml $15
Yamaguchi Beer Stout 330ml $15
Local Beer
Coopers Pale Ale 375ml $7 South Australia
Crown Lager 375ml $8 Victoria
Cascade Premium Light 375ml $7 Tasmania
Pure Blonde 355ml $7 Victoria
Cider
Kirin Fuji Apple Cider 330ml $11 Japan
Rekorderlig Strawberry & Lime Cider 330ml $10 Sweden
Soft drink
Sparkling Water 500ml $7 Spring Water 500ml $7 Lemon Lime Bitter, Soda Lime Bitter 330ml $5 Calpis Calpico Water 355ml $5 Coke, Diet, Zero, Sprite, Fanta, Lift 330ml $4.5 Juice (Apple, Orange, Pineapple & Apple ) 330ml $4.5 Ginger Beer, Soda Water, Tonic Water 330ml $4.5 Japanese Cold Green Tea 340ml $5
Japanese Tea
$3.5 per person Genmai Cha (pot) It is also called brown rice green tea, is the Japanese name for green tea combined with roasted brown rice. It is referred to colloquially as "popcorn tea" because a few grains of the rice pop during the roasting process
Sencha (pot) Sencha is a type of Japanese green tea which is prepared by infusing the processed whole tea leaves in hot water. It is the most popular tea in Japan.
Matcha Matcha is finely ground powder of specially grown and processed green tea.
T2 Tea Selection
$4.5 per person (all served in pots) Peppermint Lush peppermint leaves create a bright infusion, hot or cold. A well-rounded flavour captures the sweet essence of all things minty with a cool lingering aroma to freshen your day.
Chamomile A fragrant infusion of golden chamomile flowers will transport you to a field of sweet cut hay in the summertime. This chamomile tea is a great start or finish to your day.
Jasmin Silver needles and strong sweet jasmine offer hints of light sugarcane and an earthy deliciousness. Jasmine fans, this could very well be your new favourite sip.
English Breakfast A traditional blend of Sri Lankan broken-leaf teas that produces a coppery liquor with an assertive aroma. The flavour is bright and brisk, perfect any time of the day
Earl Grey Earl Grey is a Sri Lankan black tea combined with the citrus delights of bergamot, generating an elegant and balanced full flavoured cup. An afternoon tea essential.
Chocolate Black Tea Black tea blended with cocoa bean pieces create a discerning sweetness and a warm, nutty finish. Some call it chocolate tea, we call it subtle and decadent.