Sushi and Sake are the Yin and yang of traditional Japanese delicacies that have influenced modern Asian cuisine for many across the world. Sushi has been a staple in Japanese culture since the 8th century. Sake, on the other hand, is a rice wine that is cherished by the Japanese for over a thousand years. When it comes to sushi, there's no better beverage to pair it with than sake.

With a long and rich history that dates back to ancient times - Sushi originated from a technique of preserving fish with rice and salt in China and Japan. Sake, or rice wine, was also developed in China as a way of fermenting rice into an alcoholic drink. Both sushi and sake were introduced to Japan along with rice cultivation around 2500 years ago.

What’s Different at Sake Haus?

Located in the heart of Downtown Phoenix's most popular art district, Sake Haus opened its doors to sushi and sake lovers in April 2022 with an edgy Japanese punk band aesthetic vibe to the sushi bar. Playing a lot of hip hop, depending on the mood, they shuffle through many genres but never go country. With a Japanese-style lodge feel, mesmerizing dimly glowing paper lanterns hang from the ceiling, making it perfect for feeling hot, eating at the bar, or even date night.

Sake Haus is known for its flavor-forward nigiri and sashimi. The delicious handcrafted menu by executive chef Joe Cajipe is a must-try for everyone. Sake Haus has a sake-savvy staff who help guide and educate guests about the plethora of variations and flavors. 

Indulge yourself in the best Sake you’ve ever had!

The bar shelves are always stocked up with four different variations of sake, with different options for each one. Sake Haus bartenders serve "futsushu" - the most popular everyday table wine or sake in Japan. "Junmai daiginjo" is another high-grade iconic sake, mostly reserved for special occasions. "Junmai gingo" is a lighter and fruitier sake in comparison. Sake Haus also serves a type of sake that contains non-fermented rice solids on purpose called "Nigori sake".

Over the last few years, new concepts for sushi have emerged all around Phoenix and the Valley.

Sushi lovers now have a myriad of options to choose from when out to grab a bite of their favorite rolls, whether raw or cooked. However, none of them quite compare to the unique qualities of Sake Haus, a fairly new restaurant solely focused on the best sushi in Phoenix and sake.

What Gives Sake Haus Its Reputation?

Sake Haus is more than just a food business; it's art, according to the legendary Filipino chef Cajipe aka "Sushi Joe." Cajipe aims to bring awareness to the West about the traditional aspect and cultural significance of sushi (nigiri & sashimi), which is often overlooked. Because of Cajipe's eagle-like focus on maintaining the highest quality of fish, Sake Haus has gained massive popularity in the sushi community. Sake Haus thinks that with sushi "less is always more."

Cajipe has 10 years of experience in Asian cuisine at different restaurants across the Valley. He learned from various seasoned chefs, but the most significant experience he had was back in Chandler in 2012. The head chef noticed his tenacious passion for sushi and made him his apprentice. Cajipe encourages his chefs to be creative and express themselves through the medium of chef's specials that Sake Haus offers.

Drop by for the best sushi in Phoenix, AZ

For an omakase (leave it up to the chef) experience, Sake Haus chefs always highlight the nigiri and the sashimi. Focusing more on the fish aspect and not just serving something drenched in sauce that overpowers the flavor of the fish, which is basically what you’re paying for. This form of service allows our guests to try a variety of sushi offerings with quality fish and witness expert preparation right in front of their eyes.

Let's be real, finding a restaurant that offers truly authentic sushi in the Western market can be a daunting task. But, worry not our fellow sushi lovers, as Sake Haus has taken it upon itself to bring you the best sushi in Phoenix.