Cookin’ on the Coast – Season 13, Episode 12:
Brewmaster’s Choice Saké with Pork and Cabbage Gyoza
In Episode 12 of Cookin’ on the Coast Season 13, we celebrate harmony, history, and craft by pairing Chef Heidi’s savory Pork and Cabbage Gyoza with a legendary Japanese spirit: the Yoshi No Gawa Brewmaster’s Choice Saké.
This is not just any saké; it is modeled on the traditional type that the Master Brewers (Toji) would choose to drink every single night—a testament to its well-balanced, natural rice softness and incredible drinkability with a variety of foods. It’s no wonder this is the most popular premium Saké in B.C.
The Brewmaster’s Choice comes from a lineage of excellence that stretches back 20 generations. The Yoshi No Gawa Brewery was established in 1548 in Niigata, Japan, making it the 5th oldest brewery in the entire country! This region is revered as the rice-growing heartland of Japan, boasting some of the best rice in the world—the fundamental ingredient for exceptional saké.
Using centuries-old knowledge and drawing on this legendary rice, Master Brewer Fujino focuses his team’s efforts on crafting the absolute finest saké. Yoshi No Gawa is also credited with many iconic industry innovations and even owns one of only four yeast manufacturers in Japan.
This saké is expertly crafted to be clean, mineral-driven, and easy to enjoy, providing the perfect counterpoint to the richness of gyoza. It is a celebration of centuries-old tradition, brought to your table for the perfect pairing with Chef Heidi’s authentic meal.
Head to a Liquor Plus liquor store near you to pickup the Yoshi No Gawa Brewmaster’s Saké.
Chef Heidi’s homemade Pork and Cabbage Gyoza are a labor of love, combining rich, umami-laden ground pork with fresh, crunchy vegetables. The secret to their incredible texture lies in the sticky, well-kneaded pork filling, the sweet crunch of sautéed cabbage and green onion, and the potent aromatics of ginger and garlic.
The final dish is defined by several key textures and flavors: the savory, dense filling; the crispy, pan-fried bottom of the wrapper; the steamed, tender top; and the tangy, sweet, and salty dipping sauce (rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sugar).
This rich, multi-textured, and flavorful profile demands a beverage pairing that offers clarity, cut, and complementary texture—precisely what the Yoshi No Gawa Brewmaster’s Choice Saké delivers.
Paired with this historic Niigata saké, the result is a demonstration of perfect culinary synergy:
Cutting the Fat and Oil (Crisp Minerality): The gyoza are pan-fried in oil, and the pork filling contains 80% lean ground pork, creating a rich, fatty texture. The clean, mineral-driven quality of the Brewmaster’s Choice acts like a brilliant stream of water, immediately cleansing the palate from the fat and oil without overpowering the delicate filling.
Harmonizing Aromatics (Rice Softness): The gyoza filling features bold, punchy aromatics like ginger, garlic, and dry sherry. Unlike wine, which might clash with these complex spices, this traditional Honjozo is known for its natural rice softness and subtle sweetness (ripe apple, rice cake). This softness harmonizes beautifully with the filling’s savory umami and the ginger’s heat, integrating the flavors rather than competing with them.
Complementing Textures (The Umami Boost): The classic pairing rule for savory Japanese dishes is Saké with Umami. The light-bodied, well-balanced texture of the saké is neither heavy nor overly fruity. It complements the tender, slightly bouncy texture of the pork filling without weighing it down.
This pairing proves that sometimes, the simplest and most traditional choice is also the most brilliant. The Yoshi No Gawa Brewmaster’s Choice is truly the master brewer’s choice for a reason: it’s the ideal, versatile partner for bold, authentic Asian cuisine.
Grab the recipes below and all the ingredients at your local Country Grocer:
Liquor Plus Sponsors Cookin’ on the Coast
Each week, Liquor Plus sponsors the Pairings segment of Cookin’ on the Coast on CHEK. The show features unique food and drink pairings offered by BC suppliers, with recipes created by Chef Heidi Fink and sponsored by Country Grocer. All of the beverages featured on the program can be found in Liquor Plus stores across Vancouver Island.
