Pairing wine with daily Japanese home meals (Washoku) is an exciting trend. The delicate profiles of dashi broth, soy sauce, and mirin require careful matching.

The Best Japanese Food Pairings

1. Soy & Teriyaki Sauce & Pinot Noir or Muscat Bailey A

The caramel notes of soy sauce and sweet mirin blend naturally with light-bodied, low-tannin reds. Japan’s native Muscat Bailey A is a stellar match for yakitori.

2. Delicate Dashi Broths & Koshu

Dashi is highly delicate. Pair it with Koshu, a Japanese white wine known for its light body, mineral notes, and subtle citrus aromas that act like a squeeze of sudachi.

3. Tempura & Dry Sparkling Wine

The carbonation and sharp acidity of sparkling wine cut through the fried coating of tempura, acting like a palate cleanser.