Benihana Pattaya’s sake tasting event proves blended rice tastes just as nice
A welcome glass of sparkling Dassai Happo Nigori 50 awaited guests as they entered last month’s sake tasting evening, held January 19 at the newly relocated Pattaya branch of Japanese steakhouse Benihana. Pattaya Mail’s very own Terry Diner recently described the new Benihana as “a masterful triumph of architectural planning with a pleasant relaxing area overlooking Beach Road.”
Second in line after the opening aperitif was Kirinzan Dentou Karakuchi, a classic sake with an alcohol level of 15% and a way of retaining its traditional dryness. Complementing this was a variety of delicious finger food, including French oysters, tapas, Alaskan king crab, pork ribs, tuna tartar and tiger prawn sushi.
Yuki No Bosha Junmai Ginjo was the third sake serving in the line-up, a favorite with many as it possesses a gentle and elegant taste along with a fragrance that can tickle the nose. With its 16-17% alcohol level, mild dryness and acidity it also reminds one of the freshness of ripe apples.
Benihana’s signature live cooking stations sated appetites as they served up Kagoshima ribeye, Australian lamb cutlets, Norwegian salmon and garlic rice while the Bijofu Tokubetsu Junmai sake (15% alc) was passed around next. This is a rather fruity but mild flavored sake with a little dryness and a comforting kick in the middle that went down really well with the lamb cutlets.
The evening ended with the signature Matcha Tiramitsu paired with Bijofu Yuzu liqueur with its 7% alcohol level and made from a mixture of sake with the fresh juice from the Yuzu fruit and honey. This has a sweet and sour taste along with natural fragrance of the citric fruit.
The event’s carefully selected sakes were introduced by Bangkok Beer & Beverages Co., Ltd. (BB&B), a leading beverage supplier that houses hundreds of imported beers, wines and spirits.
Benihana Japanese steakhouse is located in front of AVANI Pattaya hotel on Pattaya Beach Road. Call 038 412 120 for more information.
