Sake sommelier and chef Takashi Sada’s journey began in Osaka, Japan. as a carefree youth Taka always remembers enjoying bargain sake with friends, but his true passion for sake flew into high gear after trying highly prized Junmai sake, plus his father’s favorite! it’s Taka’s father who taught him that sake exists for food while educating him on the fine points of pairing.
Soon after Taka began his culinary career and in 2002, with his life partner Chika, opened Japonica in Redondo Beach!
Their journey in originating authentic Japanese Izakaya-Sushi advances daily and with the addition of discovering smoked methods to enhance the umami in ingredients, the possibilities are endless.