5 Types of Soy Sauce Tasting and Food Pairing

An Authentic Japanese Experience: Soy Sauce Tasting and Food Pairing in Kyoto

Imagine spending an afternoon in Kyoto, exploring one of Japan’s most beloved seasonings—soy sauce—and discovering how this humble condiment elevates countless dishes. For about $72, you’ll join a lively and informative 1.5-hour workshop led by expert hosts, where you’ll not only learn about soy sauce’s making process and varieties but also taste five different types paired with carefully selected foods.

What makes this experience stand out? First, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of soy sauce’s role in Japanese cuisine—a topic many might take for granted. Second, the food pairing element offers a literal taste of how different soy sauces can transform raw fish and roast beef, making it a practical lesson for home cooks. On the downside, the workshop might be guided in both English and Japanese, which could be a consideration if you’re seeking a fully immersive English experience.

This tour suits food lovers, cooking enthusiasts, and anyone curious to add authentic Japanese flavors to their culinary repertoire. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or just love discovering new tastes, you’ll leave with new knowledge and a small soy sauce bottle to bring home.

Key Points

• Educational focus on soy sauce production, types, and uses
• Tasting five distinct soy sauces paired with food
• Practical tips for using soy sauce in daily cooking
• Includes a welcome drink and a small soy sauce bottle to take away
• Accessible location near public transportation in Kyoto
• Small group environment (max 8 travelers) enhances learning and interaction

Exploring Kyoto’s Soy Sauce Workshop: What You’ll Experience

The Setting and First Impressions

The tour begins at Kikyo Sushi, a cozy spot in central Kyoto, where the host greets you with a friendly welcome drink. This relaxed start sets the tone for what is essentially a mini culinary class. The location’s proximity to public transport makes it convenient, and the intimate size—up to just 8 guests—means you’ll get plenty of personal attention.

The Lecture: Making Sense of Soy Sauce

Your host, likely Akane based on reviews, kicks off with a brief but informative lecture. We loved the way she explained the process of soy sauce production—from fermentation to aging—making it more accessible than many dry cooking lessons. She also shares tips for using soy sauce in everyday cooking, which many of us find invaluable. For example, how to incorporate different types into salads, marinades, or even desserts.

Tasting the Five Varieties

Next, the real fun begins: sampling five distinct types of soy sauce. Each has its unique flavor profile, and you’ll see how they differ in saltiness, sweetness, or umami richness. The tasting isn’t just about flavor—it’s about understanding what makes each soy sauce suited for certain dishes.

Food Pairing: Raw Fish and Roast Beef

Each soy sauce is paired with raw fish—snapper and tuna—and roast beef. These choices are deliberate: the raw fish highlight the delicate, nuanced flavors of lighter soy sauces, while the roast beef showcases how bolder varieties can enhance a heartier dish. We found that tasting the sauces with these foods helped us truly grasp their culinary potential.

Practical Tips for Your Kitchen

One of the highlights is the practical advice on how to incorporate each soy sauce into your cooking. For example, when to use a lighter soy for salads, or a darker, more complex soy for braises. The small soy sauce bottle included in the tour makes it easy to remember these tips back home.

Authenticity and Accessibility

While the session might be guided in both English and Japanese, it adds an authentic touch that reflects Kyoto’s multicultural vibe. The small group size ensures you can ask questions and enjoy a tailored experience, which many reviewers appreciated, noting how fun and informative Akane made the workshop.

What Sets This Experience Apart: Deep Learning & Practical Value

In a city full of sightseeing options, this workshop offers a hands-on, practical taste of Japanese culture that many travelers overlook. It’s a great way to expand your culinary horizons without venturing far from downtown Kyoto.

The value is evident: for about $72, you’re getting a comprehensive lesson that combines education, tasting, and practical kitchen tips. Plus, the inclusion of a small soy sauce bottle allows you to experiment with your newfound knowledge at home.

Authenticity and Quality

Participants have praised the experience as “one of our best times in Japan,” citing the explanation of the soy sauce making process and the food pairing as highlights. The fact that the workshop ends with a tasting and takes the guesswork out of soy sauce usage makes it highly practical, especially for those who cook regularly.

Important Practical Details

• Duration: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
• Start time: 1:30 pm
• Cost: $72.03 per person
• Location: Kikyo Sushi, Kyoto
• Group size: Max 8 people, fostering an intimate and engaging environment
• Included: Welcome drink and a small soy sauce bottle
• Guidance language: Might be bilingual—English and Japanese

Considerations

While the experience is designed to be accessible, some travelers might prefer an entirely English-guided session, but the bilingual approach can also add an authentic flavor. Also, the workshop’s focus is on educational tasting and pairing, not a full cooking class, so don’t expect to cook a full meal here.

Who Will Enjoy This Tour?

This workshop is ideal for foodies, cooking enthusiasts, and travelers who want to understand Japanese cuisine beyond just eating it. It’s perfect for those interested in culinary history, flavor profiles, and practical tips to improve their home cooking. If you appreciate small, interactive experiences that combine learning and tasting, you’ll find this workshop particularly rewarding.

The Sum Up

This soy sauce tasting and food pairing experience offers a rare glimpse into one of Japan’s most essential seasonings. Its combination of education, tasting, and practical advice makes it a standout activity in Kyoto, especially for those eager to deepen their culinary knowledge. For just over $70, you get a well-rounded, enjoyable class that appeals to both food lovers and home cooks. The small group setting and expert host create an environment where you can really ask questions and learn something new.

If you’re someone who loves to explore authentic flavors and leave with tangible skills, this workshop will serve you well. It’s a chance to see how a simple ingredient like soy sauce can become a key to unlocking a new world of Japanese cooking.

FAQ

What is included in the tour price?
You get a welcome drink, tasting of five different soy sauces, and a small soy sauce bottle to take home.

How long does the experience last?
It lasts approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, making it a perfect short activity in the afternoon.

Where does the tour start and end?
It begins at Kikyo Sushi in Kyoto and ends back at the same location.

Is it suitable for non-Japanese speakers?
Yes, guidance might be bilingual in English and Japanese, making it accessible for most travelers.

What foods are paired with the soy sauces?
Raw fish (snapper and tuna) and roast beef are used to demonstrate how each soy sauce’s flavor works with different textures.

Is the tour suitable for vegetarians?
Since the pairings are raw fish and roast beef, it’s best suited for pescatarians or omnivores. Vegetarians might find the fish pairing less relevant.

Can I cancel if I change my mind?
Yes, full refunds are available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience.

Is there a group size limit?
Yes, a maximum of 8 travelers ensures an intimate and engaging environment.

What makes this experience worthwhile?
The combination of educational insights, hands-on tasting, and practical tips makes it a value-packed activity for anyone looking to enrich their Japanese culinary knowledge.

Would you recommend this experience?
Absolutely—if you’re curious about Japanese flavors or love cooking, this tour provides an informative and tasty way to spend part of your Kyoto trip.