Nestled in Kensington Market, KOI KOI SAKÉ BAR, from the folks behind the neighbouring Sukoshi Mart, boasts playful design touches like kabuki masks and lamps crafted from Japanese hanafuda cards. Sakes from all corners of Japan are on offer, with tasting notes listed beneath each pick. Newbies reach for the Dewazakura Oka Ginjo with a melon finish. On the menu, the salmon ochazuke is a comforting dish: a bed of rice is topped with grilled salmon, bonito, dashi and a pour of ume green tea. Each day of the week at Koi Koi Saké Bar, boasts a different highlight, be it live music on Tuesday or sake Jenga come Friday (think: a bowl, chopsticks and one carefully balanced cup of sake).
MOST POPULAR SAKE: Dewazakura Oka Ginjo
TOP BITE: Salmon Ochazuke
FUN FACT: Koi Koi gets its name from the Japanese playing cards hanafuda, the first product created by Nintendo
By Karolyne Ellacott
Published: February 13, 2019
