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Arizona Sake continues to make a name for itself across the country. The sake, brewed by Holbrook resident Atsuo Sakurai, has now crossed over to Hawaii where it’s being served at Sushi Shiono, a renowned restaurant that was opened in 2003 by a Japanese owner whose love of fishing in Hawaii inspired him to open his own restaurant.
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According to Yoshiyuki Sasaki, the executive sushi chef and manager at Sushi Shiono in Kailua Kona, although the restaurant serves a variety of sake from Japan, Arizona Sake is a unique addition. “Arizona Sake matches with fish, especially pairing with our food makes sake and food (more flavorful),” he said.
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He also noted that sake made in the United States also attracts customers wanting to try this award-winning product made in the high dessert of Arizona.
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“The taste is smooth while its richness can be determined in your mouth. People love Arizona Sake,” Sasaki added.
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Sasaki has trained and worked in sushi restaurants in Tsukiji, Tokyo before coming to the U.S., and has worked for Shiono for 10 years. According to Sasaki, one of his most popular dishes, sushi omakase, satisfies the customers and his creations surprise both locals and people from Japan. Adding Arizona Sake to the menu creates even more attraction.
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Sakurai, who brews his sake at home but is in the process of constructing a building on Navajo Blvd. stated, “I am always thankful for support from Holbrook and Arizona. Just yesterday I ran into the lady (who) lives next door, we had a chat and she said she was really happy that my business has success in our country where anyone working hard could be rewarded. I am really happy to have neighbors like her even if she doesn’t drink any alcohol at all.
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“I believe diversity is very important to our life. Different cultures, different people always bring us pleasure. We are inspired, amazed and happy by different businesses as long as it is a fair trade. That is why I want to send my sake to Hawaii, totally different place from here,” stated Sakurai, adding that with the large expanse of the U.S., shipping to Hawaii can get expensive but worth the effort.
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Sushi Shiono restaurants have very experienced Japanese sushi chefs using fresh local fish and ingredients from Japan serving both traditional and Western style sushi and Japanese cuisine. There are several locations, one in Kailua Kona, the second was in Waikoloa and the third at Mauna Lani.
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