Few cuisines are as universally loved as Japanese, and for good reason. You have a huge variety of flavors, from delicate slices of sashimi and mildly sweet gyudon to smoky yakitori and crunchy karaage: there’s something for everyone. Even wine lovers, we’d say!

Sake and shochu might be the usual drinks of choice, but Team Super has found plenty of natural wine pairings with Japanese food (as well as Korean, Chinese, and Filipino cuisine) that have really rocked our worlds. Here are some sommelier-approved pairings from us and our resident wine expert and GM Chie Gaerlan:

Tempura

Mainly made of seafood and vegetables, tempura is coated in a thin batter and deep-fried until glorious golden before being served with a mildly sweet dipping sauce.

“Anything deep-fried goes extremely well with sparkling wine,” says Chie. “When your mouth starts feeling heavy from the oil, the bubbles and that acidity refresh the palate so you can eat more, drink more, and repeat. And a white sparkling wine also compliments most seafood and vegetables.”

Must-try wine pairing for Tempura: Domaine NoVice Jus de la Folie 2020 and Aristotelis Ke Anthoula Sparkling 2023

Sushi & Sashimi

For a real treat-yo’-self kind of meal, you’ll find nothing that feels quite as luxurious as a platter of expertly-prepared sushi and sashim—be it delicate hamachi and ika, or heftier slices of salmon and maguro.

“We love a good white wine with most sushi and sashimi, especially when it has briny, minerally notes that really complement the freshness of the seafood—if you have the budget for Champagne, that’s even better,” Chie says. “Though if you’re planning on ordering heavier fish like, say, salmon or fatty tuna, I’ve found that sparkling rosés keep the pace.”

Must-Try wine pairings for Sushi & Sashimi: Domaine Matassa Marguerite Blanc 2021, Heraclite Brut Nature Blanc de Noirs 2016, and Microbio Afinador de Estrellas Pet Nat 2023

Karaage

Few things are as universal and good ol’ fried chicken, and Japan’s karaage is an especially juicy take made zingier with plenty of ginger in its marinade. 

“Sparkling rosé is actually one of the most classic pairings with good fried chicken,” says Chie. “There is a lot of salt and fat, making it great for bubbles, and the red berry notes you get in a rosé versus your traditional white sparkling hold their own with all that flavor. If you’re feeling especially bold though, a sparkling red might actually work!”

Must-Try wine pairings for Karaage: Judith Beck Bambule! Pet Nat P 2022 and Vinyes Tortuga Magic Potion 2021

Okonomiyaki

The pride of Kansai! Okonomiyaki has probably one of the most unique flavors to come out of Japan, with this heavy savory pancake balancing sweet and smoky, as well as a melange of ingredients ranging anywhere between cabbage, noodles, and pickled ginger to seafood, egg, and pork belly.

Chie describes this as a challenge even for more seasoned wine enthusiasts. “There are so many elements in okonomiyaki, which is heavy, but often has seafood and vegetables in it as well. Personally, I would choose a bolder orange wine for it, because it has the weight to cut through all that richness while not overpowering it and having the juicy yet spicy notes to complement how savory it is.”

Must-try wine pairing with Okonomiyaki: Costador Metamorphika Muscat Orange and Microbio Brutal Orange

Gyudon

Made of thinly-sliced beef and onions and a slightly sweet, umami soy-based sauce, gyudon is a food that never fails to comfort. And while beef is traditionally paired with red wine, not all reds are built exactly the same.

“A bold, tannic red wine is actually the last thing you’d want here,” advises Chie. “Big tannins would overpower its distinctive sauce. Gyudon needs a bit of acidity because it’s rich and a little sweet, but not very heavy. So it’s best to go light for a red, something very juicy, to bring out the best in it.”

Must-try wine pairings for Gyudon: Cyril Alonso Art Brut Rouge VDF 2019 and Milan Nestarec Nach 2020

Japanese Katsu Curry

Spice, sweetness, umami: that’s what keeps bringing us back to a comforting bowl of Japanese curry rice, with the more classic accompaniment of a golden deep-fried pork cutlet. 

“When you have a lot of spice and richness, orange wine is one of your safest choices for a good wine pairing,” says Chie. “Orange wine generally has good acidity to refresh the palate while also tending to have spice and tea notes that complement more complex dishes. For something a little more classic, many white wines from Alsace like Riesling or Pinot Gris often make for a good pairing, too!”

Must-try wine pairings for Japanese Katsu Curry: Domaine Matassa Brutal Orange 2022 and Pierre Fricke Pinot Gris Rot-Murle 2020

Yakitori

Essentially different parts of chicken cooked over charcoal, yakitori is simple: but also pretty bombastic with all the salt, smoke, and pizzazz it offers. But don’t be fooled: white meat doesn’t necessarily mean that a white wine is always the best choice for it.

“There are actually quite a few light red wines that are fantastic with grilled chicken,” explains Chie, “as well as quite a few skin contact wines that also have a spicy, herbaceous finish that compliment smokier dishes.”

Must-try wine pairings for Yakitori: Fabrice Dodane Tout Facile Rouge 2021 and La Sorga Feu III 

Where to buy natural wine in Metro Manila

Whether you’re headed to your favorite Japanese restaurant or eating takeout sushi and curry at home, you’ll find the perfect natural, organic, and biodynamic wines to pair at the (Super)Natural online wine store. We carry food-friendly natural wines all over the world from cult-favorite producers, and offer same-day delivery straight to your doorstep in Metro Manila on weekdays for orders placed before 2 PM.

Shop natural wine from (Super)Natural today!