Yoramu Sake Bar

Yoramu Sake Bar

Gosho District
Nijo Dori, Nakagyo-ku

Probably one of my most-memorable experiences in Japan...
le tour d' cuisine, in the Zen fashion.

This is for the brave souls, ready and willing to learn and be patient. You must have patience here.

There is one bar, just 7 or 8 stepping stones along the interior gravel pathway from the sheer glass narrow entry; 8 seats, one man (from Israel, lived here 11 years), 3 mr16 bulbs, smooth espresso wood bar top, while a lone gentleman who lingers over a 1 gallon sake bottle is bound to be seated and smoking right next to you... yeah, I'd say it's quite the experience. I liked it in the end, though it took an hour to get entirely into Yoram's manner of presenting things.

Yoram cooks the foods himself on a single hot plate while those who await merely watch and wait in the mystery of knowing whether or not this man is entirely sober, and even why he looks like he is contemplating paradise at all times with a smooth wave of his hand as he narrates his art: exploring, explaining, and appreciating the sake experience with food pairings. He is good to select food to compliment the sake.

It's only little bites, but they are rich, especially the tofu preserve aged in a fine brandy... what a gong-bell on the culinary flavor term for "spin" on things.

We each had a flight, and split a few appetizers. The flight is the best way to go. For the two of us to have a flight tasting of 3 sakes each (which was really 6 sakes to try!) plus 3 appetizers to split, it was only 2100 yen each. That's around $24... Score.

Since I can't type IME Japan here yet, let's gaze at the images for the label text, shall we?

Junmai Gingo-Nama (to the far left)
Blue Bottle, our great fancy. It was dry, yes, but rich and complex in a way that I can't describe. It's not your typical fermented rice ready to drink as an aperitif, but rather it challenges you to decide whether it's a sake or not. It qualifies as an aged type of liquor wine. I can't describe, but all I know is that it comes in a blue bottle -- look at the label -- and it can't be found in any store I've contacted or searched down. Where do I find this? Yoram smiled and said, "I apologize, but you won't be able to find it except in one place... maybe." There was a slight grin on his face afterward.

Who knows.
I say the visual-documentative (yes, I invented a word) memory is better than any photograph, or written word.

The bottle just to the right, with the linen label, was actually my second favorite. Lovely.
----

Biden Aged
Crimson-velvet bottle, with white written character that means "Beauty."
That, it is true.

I can't spell it on the blog in Japanese, thus I will say, "ask Yoram."
I have the written word right here on the sheet of parchment he passed me. We'll wait until I can get a Japanese interface for type to translate for you.

This was my absolute favorite, but it's aged 25 years. Who knows if I'll actually get this one as well. There is one place that sells it. Ukai Shoten.. 441-3885. Will try them again. It's hard to go back to contact via phone once in the States. I need to look forward to a weekend and get on Skype to make these calls. It's on my list of things to do.

This was like an aged Sherry, but not as full-bodied. Complex and wealthy, this paired perfectly with the richer foods, as cheese and preserved tofu.

Tofuyo
An Okinawan delicacy: Tofu aged in amowari liquor, reminiscent of brandied foie gras.
Richly intoxicating. This is basically foie gras, in cognac...
there are no words. Rich rich rich. Beautiful with the aged sake. Only a few tastes will do you, and use the tooth pick. It's all you need.
Seriously.

Chrysanthemum Petals
Salad of dried petals, plunged in hot water, squeezed and dressed in a tangy citrus base.

That is it, pure and simple, but the flavor tastes like the smell of flowers. It is remarkably artistic and shocking the same time, but a shock that is one to awaken you to the sense of something truly divine. This is unique, and truly one of those unforgettable experiences. I'll never forget this flavor, ever. It was like I was tasting rose petals in a heavenly raw form. Beautiful.

Asparagus
Steamed and served with side of Mayo
No, this is not the Netherlands. And yet the asparagus was pure, steamed, tender, and quality. This makes for a nice finish to the template of rich appetizers. Only two branches, thus you really aren't devouring much, but it's all about the presentation, and after the rich plethora of bites this taste does you well.

A good bottle. Yes.
I thought it was one of the better ones, until I had a sip of the Beauty... darn the high-enders.

Let's just say, you'll never know me.

This was journal worthy. I had it right there with me the whole time.
Two strangers came up later in the evening, one looking over my shoulder to merely read the word "Best". He smiled and agreed.