For Goodness Sake at Soka
What do you get when you combine the smoky flavours of the Hibachi grill with the perfect sip of sake? An exclusive lunch event that fuses Japanese tradition, taste and celebration. Melanie Rosettenstein shares details for Sake at Soka.
A quick glance at the menu at Soka Restaurant on Ocean Street and you’ll discover that Japanese cuisine offers so much more than just sushi (although they do serve that in delightfully fresh abundance). From Seeded Mustard Kushiyaki to Chicken Karaage, Tuna Tataki, and Tantanmen, there’s a burst of flavour for every tastebud.
The raw bar delivers the freshest salmon, kingfish, and tuna, while the Hibachi Grill adds a smoky richness to crowd favourites like seared wagyu, chargrilled Caesar salad, and umami-packed charred edamame. While some dishes bring the heat, others are delicately crafted, like the kingfish sashimi and kingfish with kosho dressing, fennel, and orange, which melt in your mouth like a snowflake.
But let’s not forget the sake (pron. sah-kee or sah-kay?)! Japan’s treasured rice wine, brewed and traditionally served in charming ceramic cups at celebrations, social gatherings and traditional meals, is a fascinating world of craftsmanship and refinement.
One of the key factors in its flavour and texture is the Rice Polishing Ratio (RPR), which indicates how much of the rice grain remains after polishing. The more polished the rice, the lighter and more refined the sake becomes. A higher RPR (like 70%) retains more of the grain’s outer layers, resulting in a robust, umami-forward profile, while a lower RPR (such as 39%) creates a smooth, delicate taste by focusing on the starchy core.
Intrigued? Then say ‘konnichiwa’ to Soka and Hello Sunshine Magazine for the Sake at Soka lunch on Friday 2 May.
This five-course banquet will be expertly paired with four premium Junmai (meaning pure with no added alcohol or sugar) sake varieties, each showcasing different levels of refinement and complexity. On offer will be: Kimoto Bizen Omachi (RPR 65%) from the Nakashima Sake Brewery and crafted using the traditional Kimoto method to deliver a rich, umami-forward profile with notes of toasted grain and dried fruit; Tateyama (RPR 53%) from Toyama with a smooth, balanced flavour that allows the purity of its high-quality rice and water source (from the Shogawa River) to shine; Yuki No Bousha (Junmai Ginjo, RPR 55%) which is a perfect drop for new and seasoned sake lovers with delicate fruity and floral notes, including strawberry and peach, followed by a light and dry finish; and finally, Dassai 39 (Junmai Daiginjo, RPR 39%) from Asahi Shuzo in Yamaguchi – an ultra-premium sake with a silky texture and an elegant balance of sweetness and umami, perfect for special occasions.
The Soka team will walk you through each pour, and with any luck, we’ll all master the pronunciation along the way. When paired with the freshness and flavour of Soka’s authentic cuisine, including dishes straight off the Hibachi Grill, this promises to be the hottest ticket in town!
But that’s not all! When you book your spot, you’ll be right in the heart of the action on Ocean Street as Horizon Festival’s Opening Night Street Party kicks off from 5pm with free entertainment. Whether you’re there for the bold flavours, delicate artistry, or the perfect sip of sake, Sake at Soka will be a unique experience where tradition meets innovation and celebration. Each bite tells a story, with the energy of Horizon Festival as the perfect backdrop.
MENU – SAKE AT SOKA
Sashimi taco/ Kingfish, kosho dressing, fennel, orange – Kimoto Bizen Omachi
Corn, salted ricotta, teriyaki mayo, shichimi – Tateyama
Mooloolaba king prawn, shiso butter, crustacean oil – Yuki No Bosha
Scotch fillet 220g, wafu sauce, garlic chips with green salad – Dassai 39
Coconut sorbet, lychee, raspberry granita
DON’T MISS!
SAKE AT SOKA
Friday 2 May, 12noon-2.30pm
Enjoy the amazing flavour and freshness of Japanese cuisine of the Hibachi Grill together with a sake experience. Learn more about this Japanese rice wine and indulge in an authentic 5-course Japanese banquet with four Sake pairings, other beverages available to purchase. Tickets: $110 per person
Book tickets or discover Soka’s The Curated Plate events including a Tuna Carving Show and Hibachi Grill Experience.
