Jul 14 2026

Sake Recipe

Inspired by Ichiban (Bangor)
Time30m
Serves5

Make Sake Recipe in just 30m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

Was this page helpful?

Help improve this recipe for others.

Send this recipe to your inbox.

We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.

Ingredients

Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Main Ingredients

Method

Preparation of Rice

  1. 1

    Rinse the Rice

    Begin by rinsing the 2 cups of sake rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch.

  2. 2

    Soak the Rice

    Soak the rinsed rice in enough water to cover it for about 6-8 hours. This helps the rice absorb moisture.

  3. 3

    Steam the Rice

    After soaking, drain the rice and steam it in a steamer or rice cooker for about 30-40 minutes until fully cooked. Let it cool to room temperature.

Koji Preparation

  1. 4

    Mix Koji Mold

    Once the rice has cooled, sprinkle the 0.5 cups of koji mold evenly over the rice. Mix gently to ensure even distribution.

  2. 5

    Incubate

    Transfer the rice to a container and cover with a cloth. Let it sit at around 30°C (86°F) for about 48 hours. Stir the mixture every 12 hours.

Fermentation

  1. 6

    Combine Ingredients

    After 48 hours, add the koji rice to the fermentation vessel along with the 3 cups of water and 1 tsp of yeast.

  2. 7

    Ferment

    Seal the fermentation vessel and allow it to ferment at a temperature of around 15-20°C (59-68°F) for about 2-3 weeks. Stir the mixture every few days.

  3. 8

    Monitor Fermentation

    Use a hydrometer to check the specific gravity of the sake. Once it stabilizes, fermentation is complete.

Bottling

  1. 9

    Strain and Bottle

    Once fermentation is complete, strain the sake through a fine mesh cloth into clean bottles. Seal the bottles tightly.

  2. 10

    Aging

    Let the bottles age in a cool, dark place for at least 1 month to develop flavors before consuming.

More from Ichiban (Bangor)