Sake Pairings - A New Frontier at Kata Robata!

One of the best restaurants in all of Houston managed to take me out of my comfort zone…and I had a BLAST! Incredible food at the chef-driven Kata Robata, but it’s their sake I found to be so sensational. Beverage Director Steven Salazar was my guide through three exciting food pairings.

Expert Tip: Don’t pour your own sake!

We began our taste test with the Hawaiian Amberjack Sashimi and Foi Gras. The Tentaka sake holds up with the creaminess of the foi gras, as well as the richness of the barrel-aged Sherry vinaigrette. It also brings out the nuttiness of the hazelnuts found in the sashimi. A lot of body to this sake…I was surprised!

1. Hawaiian Amberjack Sashimi with Foie Gras

Hawaiian Amberjack Sashimi, Lime, Olive Oil, Chive, Seared Foie Gras, Roasted Hazelnuts, Peashoots, barrel aged sherry vinegar

Pairs with:

Hawk in the Heaven Junmai
Earthy Nutty Hot Sake, with hazelnut aromas

Our second venture was the Sake Steamed Mussels. This dish paired with the Green Ridge Junmai Ginjo sake…a creamy, refreshing sake with a green apple tartness to the flavor.

2. Sake Steamed Mussels

Mussels steamed with sake, garlic, soy, aromatics, served with somen noodle a thin Japanese rice noodle to soak up the broth

Pairs with:

Green Ridge Junmai Ginjo
Creamy Hot sake with green apple tart refreshing qualities

Number Three was dessert! A special banana bread plated with fig ice cream. Its sake of choice, the Seikyo, brought out the notes of banana, clove and baking spice wonderfully!

3. Warm Banana Bread

Banana cream, almond, buckwheat, marscapone fig ice cream

Pairs with:

Sekiyo Takehara Junmai
Aromas of banana and clove harmonize with the banana bread and cream

Some additional notes:

Kata Robata serves chilled sake in a wine glass to help emphasize and enjoy the aromas that come along with premium sake. Just as you would with aromatic wines.

Whether you fancy light, full, dry, sweet, fruity, floral, earthy, or funky wines, there’s a sake for your particular palette. Pair sake with nearly any dish, including non-Japanese cuisine.

Kata Robata has the largest sake list in the city of Houston, and the only premium hot sake program. 😉

Here’s to new adventures! For more delicious recipes and fun food and wine pairing ideas, subscribe to my newsletter.