Sake and Shochu Gumi
Spotlight

Last-Minute Gifts for Mom

Guess what? Mother's Day is this Sunday, May 13th! We have you covered for last-minute gifts, like gift cards... ... Or a very special Sake Gumi gift subscription – our monthly sake club delivering two bottles to Mom's...

Spotlight

Best-Sellers Are Back!

After many months of waiting... and waiting... our most popular glassware styles are back in stock! Order now before we run out again! These glasses are perfect for cocktails, beer, sake, or iced tea. Hard Strong Diamond Cut...

Spotlight

Emiko Kaji's Nikka Whisky Picks!

Emiko Kaji of Nikka Whisky loves drinking Yoichi Single Malt during the cold winter months, preferably in front of a roaring fire.If you enjoy a peaty whisky, this bottle is for you. Aged in sherry and bourbon barrels, Yoichi...

Spotlight

Our Kind of Chippendales

Just in time for Mother's Day, our popular Chips mugs are back in stock! And we've brought in not one, but two new glazes!Made in Aichi prefecture, these weighty porcelain mugs feature an earthy, unglazed base, with a roomy, angled handle...

Women in the Industry

Emiko Kaji of Nikka Whisky

Every May, we celebrate the women who are in the center of our industry, whether that's for drinks, design, or Japan. We take every opportunity to highlight the people who are making a difference in their professions – and with Mother's Day around the corner, it's a good time to champion the ladies....

Happy Hour

Sakura Daikiri (A Hemingway Daiquiri Riff)

If we were in Japan right now, Yoko and I would shut down Umami Mart for a week and spend our days hanami-ing – picnicking under sakura (cherry blossom) trees with bentos and sake with friends, joyful that spring is here while blossoms flutter all around. Just look at...

Japanify

Spiked Matcha Latte

This month at Umami Mart, we are waking up to spring. That means many of the things that inspire us this month come from things that make us bright-eyed and bushy tailed. No we aren't referencing Easter... but we are celebrating green tea and cherry blossoms. The brewer...

Spotlight

Everything You Need to Make Matcha

After two weeks of non-stop rain, the skies have cleared, and I'm beginning to see wild flowers blossoming on my usual hike in the El Cerrito hills. The birds are chirping loudly and the dogs on the trail are certainly happy to be out after being cooped up. Certainly, spring is...

Event Recap

Third Annual Camino Sake Dinner

Earlier this week, we held our 3rd Annual Sake Dinner with Camino. With two dinner under our belts, Camino's Allison and Russ, Kayoko, and I consider this dinner a tradition. The thing that stood out for me the most this year was...

Event Recap

Event Recap: Hinamatsuri 2018

Hinamatsuri at Umami Mart has become one of our favorite events of the year – it is a joyous opportunity to come together with our friends and community to celebrate Girl's Day! It's so meaningful to see young women come year after year – all a bit older,...

Spotlight

Short Mixing Glass On Sale Now

Chris Lane, former bar manager of Ramen Shop, asked us to import these mixing glasses three years ago, and they have been a huge hit ever since – used at bars from SF to NY. It's stout, sturdy, and looks sexy on any...

Japanese Whiskies + Shochus Now Available at Umami Mart!

We've been waiting for years now to be able to say: JAPANESE WHISKIES + SHOCHUS ARE AVAILABLE AT UMAMI MART!  It was a long process to get our license, and we persevered to bring you a range of whiskies and shochus from Japan....