Karaage
Japanese fried chicken, crisp and fragrant: the richness and crunch call for a lively, refreshing sake.
Sake · Marseille
Sake in Marseille
A true izakaya is best enjoyed glass in hand. At Iwao, sake is served the proper way — chilled or gently warmed, depending on the bottle — at the counter, under the red lanterns, facing the open kitchen. A slice of Tokyo on rue Sainte, steps from the Old Port.
The rice brew
Sake, far more than a drink
Sake is a brewed rice alcohol, close to beer in its process yet unique in taste. Dry or round, crisp or silky, it is drunk cool in summer and slightly warmed when it turns cold. At Iwao, it is never poured in a hurry: every glass is thought of as a pairing, meant to extend a dish rather than mask it. That care is what turns a simple glass into a moment.
A true izakaya
Sake is meant to be shared
In Marseille, you come to Iwao for the bowl, but you stay for the atmosphere — and for that glass you make last. You toast at the counter, surrounded by posters and manga, with the buzz of the open kitchen in the background. Sake is never solitary here: it goes with the food, it paces the evening, it passes from hand to hand. That very Japanese conviviality is what makes an izakaya.
Pairings
Three plates, three pairings
Sake is at its best at the table. Here are a few izakaya bites that answer it well — to nibble between sips.
Crispy tofu
Melting tofu under a golden crust with a punchy sauce: a study in contrast with a round, supple sake.
Miso eggplant
Miso-glazed eggplant, sweet and umami: its savoury depth embraces a fuller-bodied sake.
Good to know
Drinking sake at Iwao
- Address27 rue Sainte, 13001 Marseille (1ᵉʳ)
- Phone+33 4 91 54 08 27
- Opening hours
Tuesday · 19:00 – 22:30
Wednesday → Saturday · 12:00 – 14:30 / 19:00 – 22:30
Sunday · 19:00 – 22:30
Closed on Monday.
- Terrace
Around 15 outdoor seats
- Bracket
€€
Our tip
The sake selection is on the drinks list, in the dining room and online. The evening service fills up fast: book to be sure of your seat at the counter, the best spot to raise a glass.
Explore
Also worth a look
The rest of the Iwao house, in Marseille.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is sake?
Sake is a Japanese alcohol made by brewing rice, water and a ferment called kōji. Its making recalls that of beer, but its taste and finesse bring it closer to wine. There are many styles, from the driest to the roundest.
Does Iwao serve sake in Marseille?
Yes. Iwao offers a curated sake selection to discover on site, served the proper way to pair with the house Japanese cooking. The drinks list, in the dining room and online, is the reference.
Is sake drunk hot or cold?
Both, depending on the bottle and the season. Some sakes reveal their aromas well chilled, others are better served slightly warmed, especially when it is cold. The team will guide you by your taste and your dish.
What dishes pair with sake?
Sake marries beautifully with izakaya bites: karaage, gyoza, fried tofu, miso eggplant. Crisper, it cuts through richness; fuller-bodied, it embraces umami flavours. The team will suggest the pairing in the dining room.
Do I need to book to come for a drink at Iwao?
It is strongly recommended, especially in the evening and at weekends when the room fills quickly. You can book online through the dedicated tool or by phone.
Where is Iwao in Marseille?
At 27 rue Sainte, in the 1st arrondissement, a few minutes’ walk from the Old Port and the Opéra district.
Stage clear — table booked
Book your table
The counter and dining room fill up fast, especially in the evening. Book in seconds and come raise a glass of sake at Iwao.
Continue → book your table
Or by phone: +33 4 91 54 08 27