Japan Ambassador’s Choice: Pairing Malabhari Fish Curry, Palak Kofta with Japanese rice wine Sake

New Delhi, India—In a first-of-its-kind initiative to combine Indian food and the traditional Japanese beverage, Sake, the Japanese Embassy recently hosted a unique dinner. On the menu were Indian delicacies, including Malabhari Fish Curry, Palak Kofta, Murg Do Piaza, and Dal Makhani, along with a variety of Japanese rice wine, Sake, from different prefectures.

And the Japanese embassy’s official chef too did unique experiments and served specially cooked vegetable flour cake Okonomiyaki, which is a savory Japanese pancake dish, sometimes called a “Japanese pizza,” featuring a wheat flour batter, shredded cabbage, and various fillings like meat, seafood, or vegetables, cooked on a teppan (griddle). He also served deep-fried Paneer with rice cracker KAri Kari, and other innovative dishes, creating a fusion of Indian and Japanese flavours.

Sake Junmai Daiginjo Yukimegami 48, Otora Junmai, and others from the Yamagata prefecture, Japan, were served with Indian dishes, including Malabhari Fish Curry and Palak Kofta. The Sake Goriki Junmai from Tottori prefecture was served with Murg Do Piaza and Dal Makhani.

ONO Keiichi, Ambassador of Japan to India, hosted a special Sake Dinner on April 16, the evening before the pageant. Designed to further promote traditional sake-making, the event introduced guests to the art of pairing Japanese sake with Indian cuisine, creating a fusion of flavours that reflected both innovation and tradition. This exclusive evening welcomed dignitaries from the Government of India, prominent figures from the hospitality sector, culinary influencers, and media professionals.

The evening opened with remarks by the Ambassador of Japan, followed by a lecture on sake by Ms. Kotoko Yamada. Guests were then treated to a curated pairing experience highlighting the harmony between Indian spices and the subtle complexities of Japanese sake. A standing reception and networking session rounded out the evening, encouraging conversation and collaboration among participants.

Other Japanese beverages included Shochu Daiyame from Kagoshima prefecture, and Awamori Miyanohana from Okinawa prefecture:

While speaking with Asian Community News (ACN), Japan Ambassador ONO Keiichi said that food and beverages significantly strengthen the bond between our two nations. “I struck an idea that we should make the Indian people try Japanese rice wine, Sake, with Indian vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes for the first time. We prepared an Indian menu and carefully selected a variety of Sake to pair with Indian food items,” said the ambassador.

Present on the occasion were Kojiro Honda, Organiser of Miss Sake India; Ms. Mika Onishi, Representative Director, Miss Sake Association; Ms. Kotoko Yamada, Miss Sake Japan 2023; and Ms. Menakaa Rai, Miss Sake India 2024.