the joy of sake 2025
Honolulu
Friday, October 10|6:30 pm–9:00 pm
Hawaiʻi Convention Center
$130 per person
The Joy of Sake celebrates Hawaii’s 150-year love affair with sake, starting with the early days of Japanese immigration and continuing to the present day. Now the biggest sake celebration in the U.S., Joy of Sake Honolulu features 492 labels from throughout Japan and the U.S. in a walkaround tasting. Traditional and contemporary appetizers from top Honolulu restaurants add to the enjoyment, making Joy of Sake the event of the year for Hawaii’s sake enthusiasts.
Restaurants
The Joy of Sake celebrates good sake, good food and good friends. Participating restaurants distinguish themselves not only by their outstanding cuisine, but also by their appreciation of the luster that fine sakes add to a meal.
Restaurants that participated in Joy of Sake 2024 in October are listed below with the appetizers they served.

Chili Miso Glazed Scallop, Foie Gras Takikomi Gohan
pickled watermelon radish, puffed wild rice

Matcha Panna Cotta with Lilikoi Gel
smooth & silky matcha-flavored panna cotta with passion fruit gel

Lobster “Cappuccino” (Bouillabaisse)
aromatic bouillabaisse, lemongrass, saffron, cognac crema

Sake-Braised Oxtail Over Yellow Stone-Ground Okayu Grits
with rice chips and fresh herbs

Cured Katsuobushi Salmon Tartar
ogo, aonori sumeshi, chili garlic crisp oil, ikura

Smoked Salmon Chazuke
tsukemono, puffed rice, nori, dashi broth

Yamayuki Bluefin Tuna
with homemade egg omelet

Holy Shiitake
Sichuan mapo tofu with shiitake mushroom, noodles

Maguro Nasu
bluefin tuna, Japanese eggplant, plum, zucchini, watercress

Chili Verde
Ni‘ihau lamb, Waianu kalo, raiz tortilla, Cotija

Grilled Abalone Uni Rice with Duxelles Sauce
served over uni paste-marinated rice

Firecracker Inari
one half inari with rice, the other with poke

Spicy Ahi on Crispy Rice
ahi tuna, shiso leaf, kabayaki reduction, negi oil, bubu arare crunch, togarashi

Ika Risotto
squid ink risotto served with pickled shrimp
Shrimp & Hamakua Mushroom Risotto, parmesan cream

Negitoro Hand Roll
nori, sushi rice, negitoro topped with caviar

Big Eye Tuna Tataki
seared big eye tuna, foie gras mousse, shiso su, shiso oil

Bluefin Tuna Nigiri

Patio Partners
Shrimp & Hamakua Mushroom Risotto, parmesan cream

Hainan Meshi
ginger garlic chicken rice, Hainan chili sauce, cucumbers, cilantro

Spice-Crusted Short Rib Satay
glass noodle salad, coriander chutney
Restaurants that participated in Joy of Sake 2024 in October are listed below with the appetizers they served.

Kahala Toast
miso-cured kahala, brioche, radish

Thai Rice Noodle Salad with Head Cheese & Crispy Rice

Azuki Diplomat “Shu-Cream”
cream puffs filled with azuki bean diplomat cream, dusted with matcha sugar

Kani Crab Salad with Gelled Lobster Dashi

Korean Cold Noodles in Chilled Tomato Broth
Mountain View cucumbers, pickled daikon, demi-sec Hamakua tomatoes

Hy’s Denver Steak with Wafu Sauce

Big Eye Tuna Tataki
seared big eye tuna, foie gras mousse, shiso su, shiso oil

Da Poi of Sake
poi veloute, Kolea Farm kalo, coconut, truffle oil

Hawaiian Pastele Stew
Mountain View pork shoulder, deep-fried green plantain

Ikura Don
marinated ikura, Tsuyahime sushi rice, coconut koji butter

Spicy Mountain View Dairy Pork on Mrs. Cheng’s Tofu

Braised Pork Kakuni “Lau Lau”
coconut-braised taro leaf, shiratama, truffle mashed potato, macadamia nuts, micro greens

Hainan Meshi
ginger garlic chicken rice, Hainan chili sauce, cucumbers, cilantro

Spice-Crusted Short Rib Satay
glass noodle salad, coriander chutney

North Shore Garlic Prawns
with spicy cognac butter, lemon basil rice
Shrimp & Hamakua Mushroom Risotto, parmesan cream

Seafood Curry / Koshihikari Rice
Shrimp & Hamakua Mushroom Risotto, parmesan cream

Patio Partners
Shrimp & Hamakua Mushroom Risotto, parmesan cream