Distilled in Wakayama, famous for its ume (Japanese plum), this Yuzu Umeshu is sweet and sour with a kick – thanks to the pleasant marriage of ume, yuzu, and shochu. We recommend trying this umeshu on the rocks or with soda. A refreshing drink...
Hand-cast in classic terracotta clay and developed in collaboration with plant experts, the Tri-Pot by Studio Arhoj is designed with hollow legs allowing excess water to drain down into the matching saucer. The pots are unglazed and will in time develop...
It's our 6 year anniversary! Our Matsuri celebration is our biggest event of the year – and as always, we're teaming up with The Trappist to bring you Japanese beers and sake. And beer slushies! We'll have our favorite food friends and Emeryville Taiko for entertainment. ...
I'm pretty sure that the term "Sakqueso" started out as a joke between Yoko and me, when we were trying to come up with a clever way to express the genius pairing of cheese and sake. Likely, we thought it was silly but hilarious, and the name stuck. That's generally how it...
Doraku Shochu GlassEnjoy a barley shochu on the rocks in our tinted, golden-hued shochu glass. The tapered mouth allows for maximum enjoyment of aromas emanating from a fragrant shochu. BUY THE GLASS
Growing up in Cupertino, mugi-cha (barley tea) is something my mom would always have on the ready, in the fridge. After a long bike ride around the neighborhood with friends, mugi-cha on ice was a thirst quencher that signaled the summer. Mugi-cha has a roasted, nutty,...
Through thoughtful interviews, lush photos, and tremendous research, spirits writer Dave Broom takes readers on a journey through Japan and its greatest whisky distilleries in The Way of Whisky. Between chapters focusing on distilleries, Broom writes shorter interludes and profiles about Japanese arts...
We started featuring shochu years ago our our blog with Washi Washino's Shochu Stop column in 2011, and we are so excited to finally sell this very special Japanese spirit on our shelves and online (ships within California)! Today, we highlight
Sake Gumi is our monthly sake subscription service with 150 members throughout California. Join today! Every June, we celebrate the mariage [sic] (a word that every one in Japan is using to express explosive flavor pairings) of sake and cheese. And every...
The highly-anticipated moment has arrived: Soba Ichi is finally opening its doors next week – the Bay Area's first housemade soba restaurant. It is an opening that has taken years to create, a partnership between Shinichi Washino, Koichi Ishii, Christian Geideman, and Paul Discoe, who all met...
Attention all cheese lovers! Join us at Ramen Shop in Oakland on Tuesday, June 26th for our upcoming Sake Gumi Social event, "Sakqueso!", where we pair sakes with cheese. Sake and cheese are both rich in lactic acid, making them ideal accompaniments. The...
Tenjin Bayashi Junmai Ginjo is a sake is like no other: crisp yet earthy from Niigata prefecture, known for its pristine water and dry, tanrei-karakuchi style. Umami Mart is the only shop to carry this limited edition in the U.S.! This is one of...
Designed in 1967, the classic Hard Strong Stack Glass can be found at many eateries throughout Japan — from ramen joints, to izakayas. The simple design is iconic as it is functional. We love the new style, Smoke Ripple Stacking Glass for...
Father's Day is this Sunday, and we have plenty of gifts that say, "Dad, you're the best!" Check out our Father's Day Gift Guide to help find that perfect thing for your father, grandfather, or special man in your life. Buy
Introducing our new line of Hard Strong Collins Glasses! These versatile glasses (in Diamond Cut and Striped styles) are perfect for highballs, gin + tonics, Mojitos, and iced teas. Made with Toyo-Sasaki's Hard Strong glass-strengthening...
Just in time for Father's Day, we're putting all of our knives from Japan on sale at 25% off! That's right, all of them - now through Sunday only. Can't make it to the store? Order online for shipping or in-store pickup (if you're a local)!Here...
For years our customers have asked for bigger rocks glasses. They are here! Enjoy spirits neat, on the rocks, or within cocktails in these handsome glasses. Sporting a generous 12 ounces, they are now the largest rocks glasses we...
We continue to celebrate Women in the Industry by patronizing businesses around Oakland that are woman-owned. This month, we had our staff Sake Gumi tasting dinner at Sarah Kirnon's Miss Ollie's and paired the sake selections for the month with her...
Enjoy delicious Old Fashioneds in our new, elegant glasses, featuring two unique patterns in a generous 10.5 ounce capacity. The tapered mouth allows for maximum enjoyment of aromas emanating from your cocktail; with a nice heavy base that perfectly accommodates one
When searching for sakes for Women Sake Makers month, I was delighted to learn that Hayashi Honten is owned by a female. Reiko Hayashi is the fifth generation Hayashi to take over the brewery. We have featured Hayashi Honten sakes in the store...
