Discover new harmonies at acclaimed LA restaurants during Sake Harmony Weeks October 13 – November 2, 2025
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- JFOODO (the Japan Food Product Overseas Promotion Center) brings Sake Harmony Weeks to New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco from October 13 to November 2. The campaign invites diners to discover new harmonies by pairing Japanese sake with signature dishes from each city's acclaimed restaurants — an unconventional experience that highlights sake's special way of enhancing umami.
Participating restaurants across the three cities will present limited-time pairings that showcase sake's versatility beyond Japanese cuisine. Developed by acclaimed restaurant teams in collaboration with JFOODO, each menu enhances umami and highlights natural flavors, creating fresh combinations that appeal to a wide range of diners.
From Ceviche, Fried Chicken to Funghi Pizza, the participating restaurants highlight pairings that many guests might not usually expect, enjoyed with diverse types of sake from across Japan and demonstrating how seamlessly it complements both the savory depth of meat and the richness of cheese.
"Japanese sake is often thought of only in the context of Japanese cuisine, but its balance of umami and subtlety allows it to pair beautifully with a wide range of global dishes. Rich in amino acids that enhance umami, sake creates a natural synergy with the depth of meat, the creaminess of cheese, and the delicate flavors of seafood," said Keiko Fujita, Category Manager of JFOODO. "Through Sake Harmony Weeks, we invite diners to raise a glass, discover new harmonies, and experience sake as a trusted companion to cuisines of every kind."
This campaign comes at a time of unprecedented momentum for sake in the U.S.
- In 2024, exports of Japanese sake to the U.S. reached a record high of 114.4 billion yen (about $76.5 million), with volumes exceeding 8,000 kiloliters.
- In the same year, the traditional knowledge and skills of sake-making with koji mold in Japan were inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, earning global recognition as a cultural practice to be preserved for future generations.
- Leading beverage media have identified sake as a drinks trend for 2025, noting its growing presence on menus well beyond Japanese restaurants.
Sake Harmony Weeks builds on this wave of interest, showcasing sake's versatility across cuisines.
Los Angeles Restaurants and Their Sake Pairings
El Barrio Cantina (Long Beach, Modern Mexican)
- Taquitos de Papa – fried potato tacos, avocado salsa, crema, queso fresco, paired with Chiyomusubi "Oyaji", Junmai Ginjo One Cup, Tottori
- El Guapo Ceviche – hamachi, lime, cucumber, crispy onion, cilantro, serrano, tomato & chili crunch, paired with Nanbu Bijin Ginjo Can, Iwate
- Ribeye Fajitas – Ribeye, Guacamole, Rice, Beans, Tortillas, paired with Dewatsuru "Matsuri Festival Cup", Junmai, Akita
Wife and the Somm (Glassell Park, Californian Fusion)
- Baked Brie – poached pear, toasted pistachio, paired with Mitobe Sake Brewery "Yamagata Masamune Malola", Junmai Ginjo, Yamagata
- Potato Crusted Fried Chicken Thigh – hot honey, shiso salt, toasted sesame, paired with Nakashima Sake Brewery "Kozaemon", Junmai Ginjo Miyama 55, Gifu
Wildcrust (Highland Park, Neapolitan Pizza & Fusion)
- Heirloom Tomato Salad – heirloom tomatoes, watermelon, ricotta salata, paired with Senkin "Modern Muku", Junmai, Tochigi
- Funghi Pizza – tomatoes, fontina, oyster mushrooms, garlic vinaigrette, paired with Takeno Tsuyu "Hatsushibori Yuki Honoka", Junmai, Yamagata
- Lamb Tzatziki Pizza – tomatoes, braised lamb, tzatziki, fior di latte, feta, mint, Calabrian chili, paired with Mutsu Hassen "Isaribi", Junmai, Aomori
For more information, follow @pairwithsake / visit https://japan-food.jetro.go.jp/sake/us/index.html
Photos: HERE
About JFOODO
JFOODO (The Japan Food Product Overseas Promotion Center) was established by the Japanese government in 2017 with the aim of boosting the export of Japanese agricultural, forestry, fishery and food products by branding them and promoting them widely around the world.
JFOODO was named with the hope and vision of increasing awareness of Japanese Food and winning fans for it all over the world, in the same way that other Japanese cultures do.
Media Contact
STORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC., JFOODO, 1 (310)596-8045, [email protected], https://www.jetro.go.jp/en/jfoodo/
SOURCE JFOODO
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