03 Sake Samurai from Spain: Rona Yamashita

Introducing the guests and themes

theme

Popularizing Japanese sake in Spain and recommended ways to enjoy Japanese sake

Disliked Foods

olive

Even though I grew up in Spain, I've hated the taste and texture ever since I was little lol

Guest Biography

After graduating from Glion University in Switzerland, he started working as a hotelier at Hyatt Regency Palm Spaings in CA. After working at the Michelin three-star Japanese restaurant "Ryugin" in Hibiya, Tokyo, he started his family business in 2015, running "Yamashita Group," which operates three Japanese restaurants in Barcelona. He has also been actively involved in sake tastings and events, and was appointed " Sake Samurai " in 2019.

What is your goal and what are you working on now?

When he met President Masuda of Masuizumi (Masuda Sake Brewery) in Toyama, he was impressed by his passionate speech about how he wanted to make sake a global drink. This inspired him to want to promote sake from his hometown of Barcelona, and he is currently putting effort into promoting sake, including holding events for local Spaniards, and is also thinking about opening a new sake bar in the future.

The appeal and fun of alcohol and food

What made you get hooked?

I had barely had any sake until I was about 25 years old, but when I visited Masuizumi, I tried some sake that was so delicious that I became hooked.

What's the most memorable happy moment you've experienced since getting hooked?

When I visit a brewery, I feel happy when I experience and learn about the local culture, such as the local rice, ingredients, and sake ware. So, I would like everyone to visit a brewery and experience the local culture through sake. I became addicted to sake while visiting more than 20 sake breweries, including Masumi (Miyasaka Brewery Co., Ltd.) in Nagano.

What failures have you experienced or lessons learned since getting hooked?

Sake is easy to drink, so it's easy to drink a lot of it, but if you make sure to drink it with an equal amount of water, you won't get a hangover.

Japanese sake goes really well with Spanish food. It's important to try everything without fear of failure.

The most important points for enjoying the course: How to get started and advice

It's important to know how to store it properly. Don't leave it in a high temperature place, and we recommend drinking it as soon as possible.

It is important to convey to foreigners that just because it is Japanese sake does not mean it needs to be enjoyed with Japanese food or sake utensils, but that it can be enjoyed however you like by pairing it with Western food or drinking it from a wine glass.

Recommended information content

Magazines that feature sake, such as Dancyu's sake special feature.

Breweries often do live broadcasts on Instagram, so it's a good idea to follow the accounts of your favorite breweries. I often check out the account of Masumi Breweries in Nagano.

Trends to watch

Due to the impact of COVID-19, restaurant menus in Spain are no longer printed on paper, but are instead viewed by customers on their mobile phones by scanning a QR code.

Sake in Spain

It has become a common option for special occasions, with an image of being both delicious and healthy.

Guests' unique way of enjoying alcohol

What's your favorite drink?

I drink anything, but I drink wine and sake the most.

Tips and tricks for enjoying pairing

The trick is to pair it with acidity, just like wine.

What pairings do you recommend?

For Spaniards, I would recommend starting with the familiar pairing of prosciutto and sake.

I recommend sake as it pairs well with dishes like paella and seafood carpaccio.

In fact, I was delighted to discover that XIRINGUITO Escribà, a paella restaurant popular among locals in Barcelona, also serves sake.

Recommended restaurants serving delicious Spanish cuisine

FERMiNTXO (Nishi-Azabu, Tokyo)

Ardoak (Yoyogi Hachiman, Tokyo)

Recommended ways to enjoy at home

It's important not to be too particular.

It's fun to prepare different types of alcohol and compare them to see which goes best with the same meal. It's even more fun if you get together with friends and exchange opinions.

You don't need to measure the temperature of hot sake precisely, so I recommend warming it up and enjoying the difference in temperature.

Guest contact and service information

Guest information

Yamashita Group: Company , Restaurante Yashima , RAMEN DINING YU , Restaurante Yamadori

IG: @rona.barcelona

Facebook: Yashima Restaurant , Rona Yamashita

Youtube: Scheduled to open

Things to keep in mind when enjoying guest services

We focus on sushi and Japanese cuisine made with Spanish seafood, so please enjoy pairings of Japanese food that you can't get in Japan with Spanish sake and wine.

There might also be a secret menu item: Iberian pork cutlet?

If you contact me individually, I can introduce you to some restaurants that are popular with locals.

A message to enrich your life by enjoying food and drinks