Pairing Tempura correctly — a note on sake

Most people overlook how much the right drink changes Tempura. I ordered it with sake and the subtly sweet and salty elements of the dish sharpened considerably against the pairing. mirin in particular became more prominent in a good way.

Japanese cuisine philosophy of shokunin craftsmanship shapes how even simple dishes are prepared. The a high-end kaiseki setting is where you learn these pairings — they evolved together. If you've been having Tempura with the wrong drink, try it correctly once. It's a genuinely different experience. The restaurant deserves credit for getting this right.