Alcoholic Beverage | Gluten Free Diet (if barley/wheat-free) Vegetarian

Shochu

N/A (Distilled Spirit) Allergen-Free
Shochu

Sourcing & Taxonomy

  • Family N/A
  • Primary Cuisine East Asian (Japanese)
  • Seasonality Year-Round
  • Source Rice, Barley, Sweet Potato, Buckwheat

The Forktionary Angle

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Definition

A versatile Japanese distilled spirit, typically made from rice, barley, sweet potatoes, or buckwheat, enjoyed neat or mixed.

Sensory Profile

TasteSweet, Umami, Earthy, Mildly Fruity
TextureSmooth, Clean, Light-bodied
AromaFaintly sweet, Graiiny, Earthy
AcidityLow

Technical Metrics

Nutrition Facts

Per 30ml (1 fl oz)
Calories170 kcal
Total Fat0 g
Saturated Fat0 g
Trans Fat0 g
Cholesterol0 mg
Protein0 g
Total Carbohydrate0 g
Dietary Fiber0 g
Total Sugars0 g
Calcium0 mg
Iron0 mg
Potassium0 mg

Chef’s Secret

Use lighter shochu in cooking to deglaze pans or infuse subtle umami without overpowering.

Substitutions

Best Match

Soju

1:1

Korean spirit, similar light body and versatility, often lower ABV.

Vodka

1:1

Neutral spirit, good for cocktails where the Shochu flavor isn't paramount.

Gin

1:1

For herbal or aromatic notes, especially with botanically rich Shochu.

Awamori

1:1

Okinawan spirit, similar but exclusively made from long-grain indica rice.

Buying Guide

Look for honkaku (single distillation) for higher quality and complexity.

Flavor Pairings

Izakaya foods grilled fish sashimi yakitori ramen.