Izakaya term
Sake 酒
Sake is Japan's rice wine — brewed, not distilled — and it ranges from rough everyday pours to delicate, aromatic bottles that rival fine wine. It's the natural partner to sushi and izakaya food, served warm or chilled depending on the style.
Reading a label
Grades are set largely by how much the rice is polished: junmai (pure rice, no added alcohol), ginjo (highly polished, fragrant) and daiginjo (the most polished, most refined). More polishing generally means a cleaner, more delicate sake.
Warm or cold
Premium sake is usually served chilled to preserve its aromatics; heartier styles are warmed. Good sake is rarely served hot — that's often done to mask a rougher pour.
Insider tip. Start with a chilled junmai ginjo alongside sushi — it's the sweet spot of quality and value on most sake lists.
Where to try Sake near you
Top-rated izakaya spots on Yes Ichiban with real, orderable online menus: