sake and Classic British Food
Sake with British food: fish and chips, pies, bangers and burgers
Quick answer: Sake is a natural partner for British comfort food. Clean, fruity junmai daiginjo and ginjo sakes are brilliant with fish and chips and seafood; smooth, savoury junmai at room temperature suits burgers, sausage and mash and roast beef; and a crisp, dry honjozo is made for pork belly, crackling and roast potatoes.
We're a London sake shop, so it would be odd if we only ever talked about sushi. The truth is that sake's savoury depth, soft acidity and clean finish make it one of the most food-friendly drinks going, and that includes the dishes we grew up on.
For the principles behind all of this, see our guide to sake and food, or read how temperature changes sake.
Why sake works with comfort food
Umami loves
umami
It cuts through fried food. A clean, crisp sake refreshes the palate after batter and chips, much like a squeeze of lemon.
Umami makes meat taste meatier. Sake's amino acids amplify the savoury flavours of beef, pork and gravy.
It's gentle with fish. Sake's low acidity and iron content mean it doesn't bring out fishy flavours the way some wines can.
Warm it for winter food. Many junmai sakes open up beautifully at room temperature or gently warmed, which suits hearty dishes.
Fish and chips, scampi and fish pie
The nation's favourite deserves a fruity, clean sake served chilled. Think of it as the sake equivalent of a crisp white wine.
Dassai 45 Junmai Daiginjo 720ml: soft, fruity and clean, and our tasting notes pair it with fish and chips with tartare sauce. Serve lightly chilled.
Nanbu Bijin Tokubetsu Junmai 720ml: melon and pear flavours with gentle umami. Our notes pair it with fish and chips and fish pie. Serve chilled with fish, or let it warm a little with the pie.
Dewazakura Omachi Ginjo 'Jewel Brocade' 720ml: deep, rich and smooth, paired in our notes with fish and chips, moules frites and even gammon and eggs.
Dewazakura Dewasansan Junmai Ginjo 'Green Ridge' 720ml: light, fruity and fresh, with scampi and fries and fish-finger sandwiches among its matches.
Shirakabegura Daiginjo Muroka Genshu 640ml: aromatic, complex and full of surprises, made without charcoal filtering or dilution. Our notes pair it with scampi and chips.
Burgers, bangers and mash, and roast beef
For meaty, savoury dishes choose a smooth, food-friendly junmai. Serve at room temperature or slightly warm to bring out its body.
Urakasumi 'Misty Bay' Junmai 720ml: smooth and savoury with a hint of peach and a kick of pepper. Paired in our notes with burger and fries, roast beef and sausage and mash. Serve at room temperature to slightly hot (20–45°C).
Masumi Okuden Kantsukuri Junmai 720ml: a classic, comfortingly familiar junmai that "pairs well with a wide range of western dishes", including burgers, roast beef and sausage and mash. Chilled to warm.
Sohomare Karakuchi Premium Dry Junmai 720ml: crystal clear and bracingly dry, paired in our notes with steak and mac and cheese, cheeseburger and fries, and roast beef.
Pork belly, crackling and roast potatoes
Ichinokura Extra Dry Honjozo 720ml: dry, silky and very drinkable, with bright umami and an apple finish. Our tasting notes call for "smoked, roasted or salty dishes with a bit of crunch", with pork belly, crackling and roast potatoes top of the list.
Pies, stews and pub classics
Hakkaisan Tokubetsu Honjozo 720ml: clean, mellow and versatile, from one of Niigata's best-known breweries. Our notes pair it with beef bourguignon, BBQ ribs and meaty pizza, so a steak and ale pie is well within its range.
Urakasumi Honjikomi Honjozo 720ml: smooth, velvety and great value, paired in our notes with mac and cheese and fried chicken.
Sake doesn’t fight with food
日本酒は料理を選ばない
Tips for sake at the dinner table
Chilled for fish, warmer for meat. As a rule of thumb, match sake temperature to the food.
Start with a versatile bottle. A medium-dry junmai covers most of a pub-style menu.
Use a wine glass. It helps you enjoy the aroma, especially with fruity ginjo and daiginjo styles.
Don't overthink it. Our single best piece of advice is just to get stuck in.
Shop the sakes in this guide
Frequently asked questions
Does sake go with fish and chips?
Very well. A clean, fruity junmai daiginjo or ginjo cuts through the batter like a squeeze of lemon, while sake's umami brings out the sweetness of the fish.
What sake goes with a burger?
A smooth, savoury junmai served at room temperature or slightly warm. It has the body to match beef and the freshness to cope with fries and sauces.
Can you drink sake with a Sunday roast?
Yes. Savoury junmai and honjozo styles pair well with roast beef and pork, and a dry, crisp sake is excellent with crackling and roast potatoes.
Is sake a good alternative to beer with pub food?
It's a great one. Sake is refreshing like beer but with more range, and its low acidity and lack of tannin make it very food-friendly.
Size: 720ml | ABV: 16%
In 3 words: Clean, soft and fruity
The benchmark of modern craft sake, Dassai 45 is a global best-seller celebrated for its approachable elegance. By milling top-grade Yamadanishiki rice down to 45% to remove all impurities, the wizards at Asahi Shuzo brewery achieve a remarkably clean and sophisticated profile at a decent price..
The Experience: Expect bucket-full of fruity aroma featuring honeydew melon and fresh green apple. On the palate, it delivers a honey-like sweetness balanced out by a mild, refreshing acidity. The mouthfeel is notably smooth and slightly creamy, leading to a crisp finish with no alcoholic bite.
The Verdict: Supremely balanced and consistently high-quality, Dassai 45 is the ultimate "gateway" bottle and a fail-safe gift for sake newcomers. Best served well-chilled in a wine glass to accentuate its floral aromatics, it pairs effortlessly with everything from delicate sashimi to light salads and creamy cheeses.
Grade: Junmai Daiginjo
Brewery: Asahi
Region: Yamaguchi
Rice polishing: 45%
Save with our Dassai 45 3-pack or 6-pack, or contact us for discounts on orders by the case.