Location: Sake Bar Xiaojiu, Zhongshan District, Taipei. Travel note: A reservation-only sake bar tucked away in an alley. Last time I dropped by without a reservation and couldn't get in, so this time I booked ahead. Started with a limited-edition Kuro Ryu Daiginjo from Hyogo Prefecture (served in a Burgundy glass), followed by an aged Hatsugame: Ginjo Aki-zake, and finished with Yamagata Masamune, a ginjo aged at -5°C. Compared to regular sake, these aged sakes were richer and fuller, with a pronounced, concentrated umami of rice on the palate. Three glasses tonight were just right. By Morgan @2026.4.9 evening.
