Hello. Tempura & Sake Ginkiten. I am in charge of PR at Kyoto Porta branch.

On chilly nights, do you ever find yourself wondering what to pair with a warm meal and a drink? In this article, we’ll suggest the perfect pairings—combining tempura, which brings out the natural flavors of its ingredients, with drinks that complement it perfectly—to take your evening drinks to the next level.

A Delicate Harmony of Seafood and Sake

As a specialty tempura restaurant, we are thoroughly committed to the freshness of our ingredients. In particular, our “chutoro tuna” tempura features a crispy outer coating, while the center remains rare, concentrating the tuna’s rich, natural umami. The “Shirayuki” sake is the perfect pairing for this luxurious dish. When enjoyed with chilled sake, the sweetness of the tuna’s fat is balanced by the sake’s crisp, clean finish, creating a magnificent harmony on the palate. Similarly, seafood items such as “oysters” and “giant shrimp” take on an even deeper flavor when paired with the rich, full-bodied aroma of the rice used in sake. Sipping your drink leisurely at the counter while listening to the sound of the chef frying will surely be a special moment that lets you forget the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Cooking methods that bring out the unique character of each ingredient, paired with sake, are the culinary solution we offer at our restaurant.

Enjoy the contrast in textures with fried foods and shochu soda

For hearty meat dishes, a shochu soda—with its pleasant fizz—is a must. In particular, the “Chicken Tempura with Tartar Sauce” is a popular dish where the savory flavor of juicy chicken blends with the richness of our house-made tartar sauce. To complement this rich flavor, pairing it with the “《Sweet Potato》Daiyame Soda” allows its vibrant, lychee-like aroma and refreshing carbonation to cut through the richness of the meat. Additionally, the “《Mugi》 Chill Highball,” made with barley shochu, features CHILL GREEN’s signature light mouthfeel that enhances the savory aroma of fried foods, making it a go-to pairing for group meals. Our restaurant offers an extensive lineup of shochu sodas, allowing you to enjoy comparing the unique characteristics of each brand. Since you can adjust the strength to your liking, the process of finding your own “golden ratio” based on your mood or how you’re feeling that day transforms your evening drink into a more meaningful experience.

The sophisticated aftertaste brought out by grilled dishes and tea-based cocktails

In addition to our fried dishes, our aromatic grilled dishes are the hidden stars of our restaurant. Our “Premium Pork Saikyo-yaki” is a masterpiece where the sweetness of Saikyo miso permeates the pork, and the grilling process further enhances its toasty aroma. To truly appreciate this rich flavor, connoisseurs pair it with a “Hojicha Highball” made with tea leaves from Oyaizu Seicha. The toasty aroma of the hojicha blends with the flavor of the Nishikyo-yaki, creating a soothing aftertaste. For those seeking a more vibrant aroma, the “Jasmine Tea Highball” is also a great choice; the refreshing scent of jasmine gently envelops the sweetness of the pork’s fat. Served in a kettle-style glass, these tea-based cocktails come in generous portions, making them perfect for an evening of conversation with friends where you can chat to your heart’s content without interruption. Take advantage of the convenience of being directly connected to the station—why not spend a moment rejuvenating your mind and body with these thoughtful pairings, whether it’s for a drink after work or to wrap up your day?