The Japanese Bar

07/14/2022

Nikka Yoichi 10-Year is coming back! Learn all the available details and what this means by clicking the link.

Nikka Yoichi 10 Year is back! Learn all the details about this iconic Hokkaido whisky by clicking the link.

06/04/2022

Hibiki 21: the world's most famous blended whisky?

It's certainly one of the most expensive. Today, you'd be lucky to buy a bottle for $1,400 in the States. In 2018, it ranged from $900-$1,200. And as recently as late 2014, Hibiki 21 averaged $300 per 750ml bottle retail.

My latest blog post gets into the details of what happened and why this whisky is so popular. Plus, I cover how it's made, tasting notes, pairings, and more.

Click the link below to check it out.

Check out this Hibiki 21 review. Learn how to find a bottle, price, and the competition. You'll also learn how it tastes, pairings, and more.

05/21/2022

Are you looking for a Japanese knife that can do everything in the kitchen? The gyuto definitely fits that description.

My latest post will help you decide if it’s the right kitchen knife for you. You’ll learn about how the gyuto came to be, its shape and size, and how to use it.

And you’ll also learn how the gyuto compares to the other multipurpose Japanese chef knife: the santoku.

Click my link to check it out



📸 by Thapanee Srisawat on Unsplash.

Is the gyuto the most versatile Japanese kitchen knife? Click the link to find out. Learn how it's used, about its unique name, and more.

05/13/2022

Check out my step-by-step guide to making a Yuzu Drop. This refreshing, floral, and citrusy cocktail is amazing if made properly.

My video covers various recipes and recommended ingredients. So no matter where you live, you can try one of these at home.

Click the link to get started.

The Yuzu Drop is a simple variation on the popular Lemon Drop cocktail. It's a type of sour and has only four ingredients: yuzu, curacao (or triple sec), vod...

05/07/2022

Snacks that pair with alcohol are right up my alley. AKA: otsumami. There are so many amazing food and drink combos it's hard to know where to start.

My latest post is a review of the Otsumami Care Package from Kokoro Care Packages.

I learned a lot about Japanese food and beverage pairings while creating this content.

Click the link to learn about these delicious Japanese snacks and otsumami food pairings.

Does Kokoro have the best sakana set? Click the link to find out. I taste their Otsumami Care Package and pair with sake, beer, and more.

05/02/2022

Making Yuzu Kosho.

First off, I'm not a chef, and this was my first attempt. .kleeburg gave me some helpful tips, then I just went at it.

I used four yuzu and two green chili. After peeling the yuzu, I removed all the pith.

The peels weighed 78 grams. With a recommended range of 4-8% chili by weight, I added 5.5 grams of chili.

Then I chopped the chili and yuzu into a paste. Then add 6-8% salt by weight. I used 6.5 grams.

Top everything with just enough citrus juice to cover. After 7-10 days of fermentation, pop it in the fridge. Keep an eye out for mold growth.

After 10 days, my yuzu Kosho is looking good and it tastes great. Very happy with my first attempt!

04/30/2022

Few items at the sushi bar are as revered as otoro, chutoro, and akami. And they all come from the same fish: hon maguro.

My latest post is a deep exploration of the bluefin tuna, its famous cuts, and the parts they come from.

Learn what they taste like, how they’re different, and more.

Click the link below and elevate your sushi game!

Bluefin is the king of the sushi bar. Click the link to become an expert on hon maguro and it's parts: otoro, chutoro, akami, and more.

04/23/2022

Heads up sake fans: if you haven't tried sake from HEAVENSAKE you should change that!

I wasn't sure what to expect of this relatively new brand. But after tasting three of their products, I'm sold.

Find out why in my latest posts. I cover the brand, why it's unique, and its top sake. You'll also find tasting notes, pairings suggestions, and purchase options.

Click the link to check it out!

Don't miss out on one the most exciting new sake brands in a long time. Click the link to learn more!

04/16/2022

My latest post is a deep dive into one of the world's most famous blended whiskies. Click the link below and make it Suntory Time!

Check out the web's most informative Hibiki Harmony post. Learn where to find it, compare prices, find out how its made, and how it tastes.

04/09/2022

Want to land a job as a sake brewer in Japan? Check out my interview with Andrew Russell to learn how he did it.

It’s the first part of an in-depth conversation we had about all things sake. Click the link below to read the post or watch the video.

https://thejapanesebar.com/sake/sake-brewer-andrew-russell/

04/02/2022

Delicious yet benign, somehow no food has induced more fear and panic into the American foodie. Tobiko and masago are as common as it gets at the sushi bar. But who knows what this stuff really is?

I wrote my latest post in hopes that it will provide both service industry professionals and sushi junkies with the answers they need.

Learn which fish these iconic menu items come from, what they taste like, how they differ, and where to buy them. And I include nutritional and sustainability info, as well.

Click the link below to check it out.

Learn about tobiko and masago. Shop for and find the best price for these sushi icons. Explore their taste, types, dishes, and more.

03/26/2022

Jougo is a super fruity and smooth kokuto shochu. It’s one of my all-time favorite spirits, and if you’re into shochu or rum, you’ll probably like it too.

Hit the link below to learn how it’s made, what it tastes like, and where to find it. And there are some serving and cocktail recipes, as well.

https://thejapanesebar.com/spirits-whisky-shochu/shochu/shochu-distillery/jougo/

If you're into rum, shochu, or both - you have to try Jougo. Click the link to learn how it's made, what it tastes like, and where to get it.