I think I goofed. Once in Hakone, Japan, the ryokan had shabu shabu. At the beginning of dinner, we took a shot of something really really sweet and kind of clear-beige color. It was really good, I would say syrupy sweet. My memory fails me on what it was, I thought someone said it was plum wine (umeshu??). I was told it's sometimes a tradition to take a shot of this before special dinners or something.

I went to the liquor store looking for it, thinking it was umeshu, and I bought Japanese plum wine that said "�~�� ", which is umeshu, and it says "Plum Gekkeikan: Plum Wine and Natural Plum Flavor" which I assume is a brand since Gekkeikan makes plum wine now.

I tasted it, but it doesn't taste like I remembered. It tastes stronger and not as sweet and a slightly darker color. So would anyone have a guess to what it was that I was supposed to buy? Or did I just buy a version that is made differently to affect the taste? Any help or recommendations appreciated.

KouSeiya315 wrote:

I think I goofed. Once in Hakone, Japan, the ryokan had shabu shabu. At the beginning of dinner, we took a shot of something really really sweet and kind of clear-beige color. It was really good, I would say syrupy sweet. My memory fails me on what it was, I thought someone said it was plum wine (umeshu??). I was told it's sometimes a tradition to take a shot of this before special dinners or something. I went to the liquor store looking for it, thinking it was umeshu, and I bought Japanese plum wine that said "�~�� ", which is umeshu, and it says "Plum Gekkeikan: Plum Wine and Natural Plum Flavor" which I assume is a brand since Gekkeikan makes plum wine now. I tasted it, but it doesn't taste like I remembered. It tastes stronger and not as sweet and a slightly darker color. So would anyone have a guess to what it was that I was supposed to buy? Or did I just buy a version that is made differently to affect the taste? Any help or recommendations appreciated.

Perhaps you may have bought the wrong thing/one??
If you bought the right one, you have to remember that every brand will brew/mix/make theirs' different than their competitors (as everyone has a different taste) to accomidate the taste of the people who will buy their brands.
But yes, Umeshu is a plum cocktail. (Not necessarily a wine).
It is sweet and good!
I personally don't drink that. When I have no choice, I will. But for the most part, my significant other half (no. unfortunately not Uchiyama Rina) does love it and drinks it upon availability (in restaraunts-as it is not always available in Hawaii). If you're wondering................. I DRINK BEER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -A MAN'S DRINK!
Pm me if you have any questions. I'll ask my G.F. about it and we'll see if we can find a solution to your problem.

KouSeiya315 wrote:

I think I goofed. Once in Hakone, Japan, the ryokan had shabu shabu. At the beginning of dinner, we took a shot of something really really sweet and kind of clear-beige color. It was really good, I would say syrupy sweet. My memory fails me on what it was, I thought someone said it was plum wine (umeshu??). I was told it's sometimes a tradition to take a shot of this before special dinners or something.

Hiya! Get the one in the green bottle with the plum inside. Anyway, whenever I have a party, I get several bottles of umeshu. Not sure why but while the guys go for the Japanese beer or alcohol, the girls go for the umeshu and drink it down like crazy.

Personally, I found this quite a blast to watch at our parties...it's like kids opening their Christmas presents.

kndy

http://www.choya.com/product/products.html visit here

the one i used to drink at izakayas tasted like the one i got at a conbini once: CHOYA UMESHU 750

the thing is it may not be available where you live, but i'm pretty sure izakayas umeshu tastes like this one made by choya. i don't know how the other products made by choya with umeshu taste like as i just have tasted choya umeshu 750. hope this helps

ahochaude wrote:

Perhaps you may have bought the wrong thing/one?? If you bought the right one, you have to remember that every brand will brew/mix/make theirs' different than their competitors (as everyone has a different taste) to accomidate the taste of the people who will buy their brands. But yes, Umeshu is a plum cocktail. (Not necessarily a wine). It is sweet and good! I personally don't drink that. When I have no choice, I will. But for the most part, my significant other half (no. unfortunately not Uchiyama Rina) does love it and drinks it upon availability (in restaraunts-as it is not always available in Hawaii). If you're wondering................. I DRINK BEER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -A MAN'S DRINK! Pm me if you have any questions. I'll ask my G.F. about it and we'll see if we can find a solution to your problem.

I think it just says "plum wine" for English label purposes, they probably don't put the exact thing on the label, lol. I did check and it's not mixed with any wine that I can see. There were two kinds there (on New Year's Eve, we all know the liquor stores are crowded and don't have as much in stock). One said it was mixed with wine, and the other was just plum wine and said "umeshu" in Japanese kanji on it (this is the one I bought). I just have a feeling I bought a different version of it, meaning different brands probably do it different ways. I'm not sure how many options I have, but even if I ordered it online, I couldn't get it because alcohol is illegal to ship to residences in my state I just remember the umeshu I had in Japan was slightly lighter color and a bit sweeter than what I bought. But....the taste was similar, just not as sweet. Since it wasn't as sweet, it tasted stronger. I could probably mix it with something to make it taste better. There are suggestions on the back of the bottle for a couple mixtures.

LOL, I'm not a beer drinker, but I know TONS of girls who prefer beer to sweet drinks, lol. If I had to compare beers (I don't like any), Japanese beer is better because it's not as watered down I figured you would be a beer drinker....I feel like I'm the only one who does not drink beer I think having sake bombs in Japan turned me off of beer even more

Thanks for your help...if I have other questions I will PM you Meanwhile I'm gonna check and reply to other posts.

kndy-nt2099 wrote:

Hiya! Get the one in the green bottle with the plum inside. Anyway, whenever I have a party, I get several bottles of umeshu. Not sure why but while the guys go for the Japanese beer or alcohol, the girls go for the umeshu and drink it down like crazy. Personally, I found this quite a blast to watch at our parties...it's like kids opening their Christmas presents. kndy

Thanks so much! I do have an unsure option if I can't find it here....I have friends in Japan since I'm not living there anymore. Maybe they could sneak it in a package, but I'm not sure if it would make it through customs and such. Although my friends in Japan and I have put things in packages that probably shouldn't have been (nothing bad, just things that may have been stopped by customs) and they have made it through

Otherwise I'll try to look more over here. Maybe I could try the Japanese supermarkets and corner store(s), or even the restaurants. Thanks a lot, kndy! ^^

haisai wrote:

http://www.choya.com/product/products.html visit here the one i used to drink at izakayas tasted like the one i got at a conbini once: CHOYA UMESHU 750 the thing is it may not be available where you live, but i'm pretty sure izakayas umeshu tastes like this one made by choya. i don't know how the other products made by choya with umeshu taste like as i just have tasted choya umeshu 750. hope this helps

Thanks for the info! I might not be able to find it in the U.S. (I don't live in Japan anymore), but I can always try or see what my friends in Japan can do I'll keep an eye out and check that site you gave me

KouSeiya315 wrote:

LOL, I'm not a beer drinker, but I know TONS of girls who prefer beer to sweet drinks, lol. If I had to compare beers (I don't like any), Japanese beer is better because it's not as watered down I figured you would be a beer drinker....I feel like I'm the only one who does not drink beer I think having sake bombs in Japan turned me off of beer even more

Don't feel bad that you are not a beer drinker. Neither am I. I only drink alcohol if the occasion calls for it and since most of the time the alcohol among friends or business associates, it's wine. But when I'm in Japan, that's a whole different story because the business clients over there really want you to drink and the stories of not drinking when they ask are true. They get upset/sad if you don't drink...but in my case, the people I have company with in Japan are hardcore drinkers and their favorites which I can't think of at this time is this alcohol that looks like water....but tasting it is just so nasty...but you give them your best face and drink. Now, who pays for the alcohol...that's a different story ^_-

But don't worry...there are some of us out there who don't drink beer.

cool stuff denis! so they make u drink? lol! anyway can u find out what that water like drink is called?
i'd like to ry it! maybe i can find it in little tokyo ....c ya!

kndy-nt2099 wrote:

Don't feel bad that you are not a beer drinker. Neither am I. I only drink alcohol if the occasion calls for it and since most of the time the alcohol among friends or business associates, it's wine. But when I'm in Japan, that's a whole different story because the business clients over there really want you to drink and the stories of not drinking when they ask are true. They get upset/sad if you don't drink...but in my case, the people I have company with in Japan are hardcore drinkers and their favorites which I can't think of at this time is this alcohol that looks like water....but tasting it is just so nasty...but you give them your best face and drink. Now, who pays for the alcohol...that's a different story ^_- But don't worry...there are some of us out there who don't drink beer.

Yeah....I know some of us are out there I like to drink, as long as the drink is sweet (cocktails). I'll do a shot occasionally in between, but nothing like Jack Daniels or Wild Turkey or anything. :devil: I'm not a wine drinker either, though. I don't know what it is, but wine and beer just don't float my boat really.

The drink that looks like water, is that sake? I know sake is clear, but I don't like the taste of it. When I was in Japan we would do "sake bombs". Take a glass of beer and a shot of sake. Drop the sake shot in the beer and chug it down Yick, LOL.

Yes, I have heard those stories. I have a few friends in Japan, and a couple friends from Japan that are over in the U.S. now. They would always make me drink, LOL. One of my friends living in Japan now, they always make her go to drink after work, and she told me of reasons why she "can't say no".

lovelessemotion wrote:

cool stuff denis! so they make u drink? lol! anyway can u find out what that water like drink is called? i'd like to ry it! maybe i can find it in little tokyo ....c ya!

I could remember. It was a person who owned a major textile company (good guy but he had gold rimmed glasses and some bling bling that made him look a bit yakuza-like) and another business associate. They were drinking a lot and I was fine with my Pepsi and cocktails but once he motioned the waiter. My friend said "He's bringing out the big guns" and told me it was high in alcohol. This was around 2:00 a.m. and I had to head to Narita airport around 10:00 a.m. I guess he is a good customer that he mentioned they hold his liquor at that restaurant every day after work and all I can remember is this clear bottle with a blue label. Most sake bottles I have seen are in green or brown bottles but this one was all clear. After agreeing to do it.... Just one taste and I was like..hmm..taste like cold water...and then...next thing you know....this tremendous aftertaste of alcohol and it was strong. He kept ordering more and more...and he was downing all of it like it was nothing. Talk about high tolerance.

kndy

kndy-nt2099 wrote:

I could remember. all I can remember is this clear bottle with a blue label. this one was all clear.

thanks man i'll look for it.... hopefully i can find it near here! lol yakuza

ahochaude wrote:

But yes, Umeshu is a plum cocktail. (Not necessarily a wine). It is sweet and good! I personally don't drink that. When I have no choice, I will.

Your right, aho. It usually is a girl cocktail. Not bad if you run out of stuff. Chu-hi cocktails are ok too.
_________________

Here's my Facebook page:
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Some ppl say u are what u drink?...me personally love sake and Galliano mix with midori Which one is urs why?

Dr. Pepper!!! Because it has a unique and great taste. Not many people I know drink it.

Water. (My favorite)
-Top priority beverage. Not to mention the essential of life.


Others would be Heinekein, Kirin Ichiban (beer), Kirin Lager(beer), Asahi, Sapporo, Aomori, Bacardi 151, Kirin Namacha (Green Tea), Milk, Soy Milk, Protein Shakes (EAS or Optimum Nutrition), and fresh squeezed O.J.!



(I don't drink soda. Kind of odd for someone who drinks all the beers listed above though na?!)

Quote:

I don't drink soda. Kind of odd for someone who drinks all the beers listed above though na?!

...YEah I think so too AHochaude kun HA HA HA HA

Dr peeper ka? Yeah it is genuine ne Kuraiyo kun

Bsalez wrote:

...YEah I think so too AHochaude kun

Who are you calling "kun"????!!!!!


It's "A-H-O-S-A-M-A"!!!!!!!

Don't you forget the S-A-M-A!!!!!!!!!


Mwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

Hai Hai Aho sama Wakarimashita HA HA HA HA

Bsalez wrote:

Hai Hai Aho sama Wakarimashita

Good!

I would've prefered "Kashikoarimashita" though. But I guess that'll do.

You can omit your "HA HA HA" though.