Singapore’s first dedicated sake tasting room reveals its clandestine location where it showcases the immersive and intricate world of nihonshu. With Singapore’s growing sake community, chief sake drinker Keiji Heng hopes to demystify the art of sake in an inclusive environment that welcomes both budding enthusiasts and seasoned explorers.
But plan ahead as the joint does not entertain walk-ins. The reservation-only sake-tasting experience happens every Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 6pm. Each guided session will journey guests through a flight of six sakes ($72) which delves into the rich tapestry of flavours, aromas and textures that the chosen sakes have to offer.
During our session, Keiji curates the list with intention as he shines a spotlight on the underappreciated Omachi rice variant – one that may be considered the granddaddy of sake rice. And besides taking you on the history and provenance of the sakes you’ll be drinking, there’s plenty of attention to detail on the chosen glassware paired with each sake.
Think the ochoko (small rimmed cup) paired with the Akishika Yamahai Junmai Nama, an umami-rich sake with muted aromas while the crisp yet juicy Sharaku Junmai Ginjo comes served in a wine glass to accentuate its melony aroma. There is even a pour of the Shosetsu Tokubetsu Junmai, an earthy cereal-esque sake that drinks initially sweet but rounds off with a sensational umami finish.
Keiji shares that the ultimate mission is to communicate the stories behind these wonderful sakes and make them accessible for everyone to learn, appreciate and enjoy. His love for sake is clearly evident and in time, he aims to host monthly educational workshops and tailored events for enthusiasts to deepen their knowledge of this age-old craft. Reservations are now open.
