Everyday Sake: The Go-to Guide to Choosing + Pairing

Dive into the exciting world of sake with this vibrant, illustrated guide from Yoko Kumano and Kayoko Akabori, the trailblazing founders of Umami Mart in Oakland.

Sake is more than just a drink for sushi night—it’s aromatic, food-friendly, and endlessly sippable. Whether you're pairing it with pizza, roast chicken, or pasta Bolognese, sake brings unexpected joy to any table.

Everyday Sake makes this iconic Japanese beverage simple, delicious, and fun. Yoko Kumano and Kayoko Akabori—founders of Umami Mart in Oakland, California—have spent more than a decade selling, sipping, and teaching all things sake. They’ve answered every real-life question—Can I serve sake in a wine glass? Is hot sake a crime? Does it go with cheese? How long does an open bottle last?—and now they’ve distilled their real-world expertise into this approachable, illustrated guide.

Inside, you’ll find everything you need to drink and serve sake with confidence: how to taste and talk about sake, read bottle labels and navigate menus, and perfectly pair sake with your favorite meals. Packed with expert insights, practical tips, and helpful visuals, this book is your go-to companion for discovering the joys of sake—any day of the week!

Yoko Kumano and Kayoko Akabori are the founders of Umami Mart, a Japanese drinks store in Oakland, California. Childhood friends from Cupertino, they started a food blog called Umami Mart in 2007 as a way to stay in touch (and deflect boredom) from their cubicle jobs in Tokyo and New York. After moving back to the Bay Area, they opened their shop in downtown Oakland in 2012. Umami Mart started as a barware and kitchen tools store before expanding to sake and spirits, and it now focuses on sake education through classes and a monthly club. The shop has been featured in The New York Times, Wirecutter, and New York magazine, and the owners are frequent guests on various drinks podcasts.