Tag: Sake etiquette

According to Japanese health authorities, the moderate, healthy amount of sake is around 350ml per day, a fraction of a standard 720ml bottle, which answers the question: is a bottle of sake too much for one person? The standard 'yon-go' (4-go) bottle, containing 720ml, is typically intended for sharing, not solo consumption.

With a history spanning over 1,000 years and a deep connection to ritual, sake is not just an alcoholic beverage but a cultural institution. This tradition extends to how it is consumed, directly answering the question: Are you supposed to chug or sip sake?

A standard serving of sake, known as a 'go', traditionally measures 180ml, or about 6 fluid ounces. This single pour, however, is not always served in a single cup; instead, it is often distributed into several smaller cups, known as ochoko, to be shared among guests. Understanding how much is one pour of sake involves appreciating these nuanced traditions.