Kampai! Slainte! Seaweed tastes from Scotland and Japan

Michael Jackson
Saturday 28 November 1998 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The whirl of new sushi bars invites more than a shot of sake. Japan's geographical combination of mountains and craggy shores (as well as its taste in drink) is remarkably similar to that

of Scotland. Both nations have oodles of seaweed, visible around the sushi and equally evident in the aromas and flavours of some whiskies.

A top Japanese restaurant in London recently hosted a lunch in which tasters were invited to match assorted sushi and other Japanese dishes with single malts. The chef was Yoshihiro Motohashi, who has cooked for the Emperor of Japan.

To my palate, seaweed-lined rolls of crab, flying fish eggs and avocado found a perfect partner in salty Oban, raw tuna was a delight with peppery Talisker, aubergine delicious with the spicy, sweeter Cragganmore. Duck in soy sauce was a surprisingly successful marriage with the heather-honey of Dalwhinnie, cod in caramelised miso astonishingly happy with the tea- like Lagavulin ... and I grazed splendidly on beef teriyaki with the grassy Glenkinchie (all by United Distillers).

Generally, the more seaweedy, oily and briny the Scotch, the better it works. From other whisky houses, I would suggest coastal spirits such as Glenmorangie, Balblair, Clynelish, Old Pulteney, Highland Park, Scapa, Isle of Jura, Springbank or almost anything from Islay. If you don't fancy rice for St Andrew's Day (this coming Monday), there are more Caledonian combinations of grain and fish. Herrings in oatmeal, perhaps? Michael Jackson

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in