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Written from behind the counter

Why the iron plate makes a difference to bonito. How to read a sake list without reading all sixteen labels. What actually changes when fish comes straight from the port. These are the things we get asked across the counter, written down. Where we are not sure, we say so.

Three subjects, roughly. First, the fish: what actually changes when it comes straight from Tsuruga or Tosa-Saga instead of through a market, and why that shows up in sashimi before anything else. Second, the fire: the iron plate comes up hot and fast, which is why the surface of a bonito chars while the inside stays raw — and why we salt it rather than dress it. Third, the sake: sixteen labels is too many to read standing up, so we write about how to narrow it down by what you are eating rather than by the name on the bottle. These are the questions we actually get asked across the counter, written down afterwards. Where we are not sure, we say we are not sure.

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Savoring Sake and Seafood in Kusatsu

Welcome to Sakaba Stand Uomaru: A Paradise of Sake and Seafood that Brightens Kusatsu Nights

To everyone in Kusatsu, Shiga, who wants to enjoy sake and fresh seafood to their heart's content, and to those searching for an izakaya near Kusatsu Station and wondering where to go, welcome to Sakaba Stand Uomaru.

Tonight, I want to soothe my fatigue with delicious sake. I want to fully indulge in fresh seafood in Kusatsu. I'd like to enjoy a casual standing bar in Kusatsu, but I don't want to compromise on food quality. We have a place right here, a short walk from Kusatsu Station, that can meet all these customer desires. We value each customer's wish for an ideal place like this and strive to deliver it in our daily operations.

In this column, we at Sakaba Stand Uomaru, an izakaya in Kusatsu with a special focus on sake and seafood, will fully introduce our charms and how we can enrich your dining experience. We invite you to experience the profound world of Kusatsu sake and the exquisite harmony created by seasonal seafood.

Discover the Depth of Kusatsu Sake: Encounters with Carefully Selected Brands

For those thinking, Where's a good place to drink sake at an izakaya in Kusatsu? we confidently recommend our sake lineup. We view sake not merely as an alcoholic beverage, but as a work of art that expresses Japanese culture and the changing of the seasons.

A Wide Selection of Carefully Chosen Sake

At Sakaba Stand Uomaru, we always have a selection of sake carefully chosen from breweries all over Japan. From classic junmai to special seasonal limited editions and rare brands you don't often see, we pride ourselves on a diverse selection that will pique your interest. We also pay close attention to the serving temperature to bring out the maximum aroma, flavor, and finish of each sake.

  • Seasonal Limited Sake: We offer sake that can only be enjoyed during a specific season, pairing perfectly with seasonal ingredients.
  • Hot or Cold Sake: We suggest the best way to drink sake, either warm or chilled, to maximize its charm according to your preference.
  • Diverse Lineup: From dry and sweet to rich and fruity types, you are sure to find a sake that suits your taste.

The Marriage of Sake and Seafood

Our fresh Kusatsu seafood dishes are created with sake pairings in mind. For example, a light, dry sake matches exquisitely with sashimi or white fish dishes that highlight the natural flavor of the ingredients. A junmai ginjo with a rich aroma, when paired with a slightly richer simmered dish or a robustly flavored dish like our Kusatsu salt-seared bonito, enhances the deliciousness of both.

Incredibly Fresh! The Joy of Savoring Kusatsu Seafood to Your Heart's Content

The charm of a Kusatsu izakaya truly shines with delicious food. Our particular obsession is, above all, freshness. Step inside from Kusatsu Station, and you'll find yourself in a lively space that feels like a fishing port, where you can fully enjoy the freshest catch of the day.

Our Specialty: Kusatsu's Salt-Seared Bonito

Our Kusatsu salt-seared bonito is one of our signature dishes, essential to the story of Sakaba Stand Uomaru. Our skilled chefs take freshly caught bonito and sear it instantly at high heat, creating a fragrant exterior and a melt-in-your-mouth texture inside. Served with our secret salt seasoning and condiments, the natural umami of the bonito is maximized, making it an outstanding partner for sake.

  • Artisan's Skill: An exquisite sear that leaves the surface fragrant and the inside moist.
  • Selected Condiments: Served with green onions, ginger, garlic, and other condiments that further enhance the bonito's flavor.
  • Sake Pairing: Pairs well with a wide range of sake, from light and dry to rich varieties, enhancing each other's flavors.

Savoring Seasonal Seafood

In addition to our sashimi platters, we offer a variety of cooking methods that bring out the best in our ingredients, including grilled, simmered, and fried dishes. The seasonal seafood, which changes throughout the year, offers a special taste unique to that time. You're sure to find something new with every visit.

For example, you can enjoy fatty winter yellowtail, spring cherry sea bream, summer conger eel, and autumn returning bonito. All of this is a testament to our commitment to Kusatsu seafood and our passion for providing customers with the best possible experience.

Adapting to Various Occasions: A New Way to Enjoy a Kusatsu Izakaya

Sakaba Stand Uomaru is not just delicious; it's a flexible Kusatsu izakaya that caters to various customer needs. With excellent access from Kusatsu Station, you can easily stop by after work or during your free time on holidays.

A Casual Drink at the Kusatsu Standing Bar

Just a quick drink today. I have some time before my meeting. In such cases, please use our Kusatsu standing bar space. You can quickly enjoy delicious sake and seasonal appetizers in a lively atmosphere. The unpretentious, open feeling unique to a standing bar will help you forget the day's fatigue.

  • Quick Charge: Enjoy delicious sake and appetizers in a short time.
  • A Place to Meet: Spontaneous conversations with fellow customers are part of the standing bar experience.
  • Quality Appetizers: We don't cut corners, offering carefully selected appetizers even at the standing bar.

Start Your Holiday with Daytime Drinking at Kusatsu Station

I feel like having a nice drink from noon. I want to spend my holiday afternoon in luxury. For such customers, we recommend our daytime drinking at Kusatsu Station. Slowly savoring fresh seafood and sake in our lively restaurant during the day is a special way to refresh yourself.

The atmosphere during the daytime is different from the evening—calmer, allowing you to leisurely enjoy your meal and conversation. If you're looking for a place for daytime drinking around Kusatsu Station, please stop by Sakaba Stand Uomaru.

Worry-Free Solo Drinking in Kusatsu

For those who want to enjoy their own time without any obligations, we warmly welcome solo drinking in Kusatsu. We have counter seats available, so you can enjoy sake and seafood at your own pace without worrying about others. Spend a blissful moment, perhaps while enjoying a conversation with our staff.

Peace of Mind for Groups: Kusatsu All-You-Can-Drink Courses

Our Kusatsu all-you-can-drink courses are perfect for groups, whether it's a party with colleagues, a gathering with friends, or a family meal. We offer multiple courses that include seasonal seafood dishes and a rich variety of drinks, including selected sake, beer, and shochu.

  • Worry-Free for Organizers: Everyone can enjoy themselves without worrying about ordering food or drinks.
  • Seasonal Delicacies: Our courses feature the most delicious seafood of the season.
  • Various Plans: You can choose the optimal course according to your budget and group size.

A Heartwarming Moment with our Famous Kusatsu Seiro-mushi

At Sakaba Stand Uomaru, in addition to fresh seafood and sake, we offer another special dish to warm your heart. It's our other specialty, the Kusatsu Seiro-mushi (steamed dishes).

Seiro-mushi: Concentrating the Ingredients' Umami

Kusatsu Seiro-mushi is a cooking method where fresh seafood and vegetables are slowly steamed in a bamboo steamer (seiro), bringing out the ingredients' natural umami to the fullest. This method removes excess fat while locking in moisture and nutrients, resulting in a dish that is both healthy and deeply flavorful. The aroma rising with the steam whets the appetite, warming both body and soul.

  • Natural Flavor: Steaming allows you to fully appreciate the delicate taste of seafood and vegetables.
  • Healthy Choice: As no oil is used, it's a great option for health-conscious diners.
  • Beautiful Presentation: The sight of colorful ingredients when you open the steamer is part of the appeal.

Seasonal Seiro-mushi

We change the contents of our steamed dishes seasonally to match the peak of Kusatsu seafood. In spring, we use sea bream and clams; in summer, conger eel and summer vegetables; in autumn, mushrooms and salmon; and in winter, crab and oysters. We carefully select the most delicious ingredients of the season. It pairs exceptionally well with sake, and when enjoyed with hot sake, it warms you from the core.

A Special Time at Sakaba Stand Uomaru: A Practical Guide

Here is a practical guide to help you get the most out of Sakaba Stand Uomaru, an establishment that offers the diverse charms of a Kusatsu izakaya.

How to Choose Sake to Keep Things Interesting

With our extensive sake selection, you might feel overwhelmed. When that happens, please don't hesitate to ask our staff. We will be happy to recommend the perfect sake based on your taste preferences (dry, sweet, fruity, etc.) or the dishes you plan to eat that day.

  1. Tell us your preferences: Let us know what you usually drink (beer, wine, etc.) and your experience with sake.
  2. Consult on food pairings: Ask our staff for sake recommendations that go well with the Kusatsu seafood you've ordered.
  3. Try the seasonal special: Limited-time sake offers a unique taste for that season. Be sure to give it a try.
  4. Use a tasting set: If available, a set that lets you try small portions of multiple brands is a great way to find a new favorite. (Please check with our staff for availability.)

How to Use Uomaru for Various Occasions

Among Kusatsu izakayas, we are a place that can meet a wide range of needs.

  • For a solo drink after work: Relax at the counter for some solo drinking in Kusatsu. Enjoy a blissful moment with sake and our Kusatsu salt-seared bonito to unwind.
  • For a casual gathering with friends: Enjoy delicious food and drinks casually at our Kusatsu standing bar space.
  • For a luxurious holiday afternoon: Indulge in fresh seafood and sake with our daytime drinking at Kusatsu Station for a taste of the extraordinary.
  • For company banquets and parties: Use our Kusatsu all-you-can-drink course to make things easy for the organizer. Great food is sure to liven up the party.
  • For a meal with someone special: Savor our Kusatsu Seiro-mushi and seasonal seafood at a quiet table.

Making a reservation in advance allows for smoother service. We can get busy, especially on weekends and holidays, so we recommend booking to secure your seats.

Conclusion: The Ultimate Kusatsu Sake and Kusatsu Seafood Experience at Sakaba Stand Uomaru

In this column, we introduced the charms of Sakaba Stand Uomaru, an izakaya in Kusatsu with a special focus on sake and fresh seafood, and offered tips on how to enjoy it for various occasions.

Despite our prime location right next to Kusatsu Station, we pour our passion daily into selecting sake, sourcing seafood, and cooking, all driven by the desire to provide our customers with the best dining experience. The profound world of Kusatsu sake, fresh Kusatsu seafood dishes led by our Kusatsu salt-seared bonito, and our heartwarming Kusatsu Seiro-mushi—all of this awaits you at Sakaba Stand Uomaru.

Whether it's a casual drink at the Kusatsu standing bar, a luxurious holiday with daytime drinking at Kusatsu Station, your own time with solo drinking in Kusatsu, or a fun time with friends using our Kusatsu all-you-can-drink course. Whatever the occasion, we will welcome you with heartfelt hospitality to ensure you feel glad you came.

Please visit us at Sakaba Stand Uomaru and experience the new charm of a Kusatsu izakaya and the exquisite harmony woven by sake and seafood. We look forward to your visit.

Reserve

Reading is one thing; the fire is another

The iron plate is hot from the moment we open — 17:00 on weekdays, 13:00 at weekends and on public holidays and on public holidays, 15:00 on the second Sunday of the month. Two minutes from the east exit of JR Kusatsu Station.

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