Okan Lover

Okan means warm sake!

We are honored to be a stop on Chef Jo Takasaki and "Akai" Kohei's Okan Lover Tour. Chef Jo Takasaki is the proprietor of Takasaki no Okan, a boutique izakaya specializing in seafood and warm sake in the Meguro neighborhood of Tokyo. Kohei is the brand ambassador for one of our favorite breweries, Niida Honka. 

In this 90 minute class, we'll learn about the basics of warming sake, but also geek out on how they taste in different vessels (copper, stainless steel, glass, etc.) and experience how the taste changes with minute temperature changes. They'll introduce the Okan Lover sake warming methodology.

Takasaki and Kohei will take us through six different tastings. This will include a special suitcase sake, hand-carried from Japan and their infamous mirin cappuccino. Chef Jo will also bring an otoshi (small bite) to complement the tasting.

The sake line up is as follows (subject to change):

• 1 sake to compare the effects of different chirori (sake server) materials.
• 1 sake to demonstrate the effects of heating and infusing nama.
• 1 sake to demonstrate extremes of flavor difference cold versus hot.
• 1 example of blending/softening intense nama genshu to achieve something new.
• 1 mirin cappuccino
• 1 bonus suitcase sake hand-carried from Japan

WHAT: Okan Lover
A guided class all about warm sake with Jo Takasaki and Kohei from Japan. Learn how temperature affects sake and how to prepare it. Plus, accompanying otoshi.

WHEN: Sun, February 23, 5-6:30pm

WHERE: Umami Mart Bar
4027 Broadway, Oakland CA 94611

ADMISSION: 21+.
Tickets: $65 general | $55 members