Shuhai

Located in a quiet neighborhood in Akita, this Japanese restaurant occupies a traditional building which used to be a house. Choosing not to follow the usual pairing routine of adding beverages to match the dishes, Shuhai flips it on its head. Their large variety of about 60 types of sake are carefully selected for the restaurant. Sashimi and grilled dishes are meticulously curated to complement the deep flavors of the beverages — all natural without the use of any chemical additives or preservatives. Look out for unconventional dishes like the squid okizuke, which is a whole squid with the innards preserved, marinated, and then frozen. The chef will slice it up for serving — an unorthodox way of presenting such a dish. The quaintness of this restaurant and its nostalgic vibe provides an excellent environment for sake lovers to retreat from daily life and enjoy good, authentic food with top-class drinks to match.