One of the attractions of wine is pairing. Venturing into new pairings is sure to excite any wine lover.
Now, when taking on the challenge of pairing wine with ingredients not typically served alongside it, the common approach is to adjust the wine toward the food.
However, among ingredients where pairing with wine seems unimaginable, there are also some that "reach toward the wine."
In this article, we spotlight "Wine ni Yoku Au Menma," a seasoned bamboo shoot product developed specifically to pair with wine.
Since "wine × menma" might be hard to picture, let's explore whether it truly goes well with wine, along with an arranged recipe.
Menma That Pairs with Wine Makes Its Debut
In recent years, the number of restaurants offering unique wine pairings has been on the rise.
Some places even let you enjoy ramen paired with wine, and it is not unusual to see couples raising wine glasses even inside a ramen shop (mainly seen in establishments offering Western-style ramen).
Even so, the standard appetizers at typical ramen shops are chashu pork, menma, kimchi, and seasoned boiled eggs.
Few people would think of pairing wine with those.
Even then, one can easily imagine pairing a robust red wine with chashu or boiled eggs, or an off-dry white wine with kimchi, but when it comes to menma and wine, most people would be at a loss.
A pairing of "wine × menma" seems difficult to anyone.
Amid this, an unprecedented product has emerged—one where the menma is tailored specifically to wine.
That is "Wine ni Yoku Au Menma," developed by Menmaya Daimon in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture.
What Is Wine-Pairing Menma?
Menmaya Daimon, which developed "Wine ni Yoku Au Menma," was the first company in Japan to sell seasoned menma.
"Wine ni Yoku Au Menma" is seasoned with a Western twist, featuring the refreshing aroma of basil accented by a hint of garlic, making it a menma crafted to match wine.
Why did the company decide to develop a menma tailored to wine?
In April 2024, Menmaya Daimon co-developed "Beer ni Yoku Au Menma" with Baeren Brewery, a world-renowned local craft beer maker in Morioka, and subsequently developed menma tailored to alcoholic beverages such as sake, shochu, highballs, and Shaoxing wine.
While all varieties have reportedly received favorable reviews, according to the company, customers who purchased the series, along with voices on social media and at their retail store in Morioka, frequently asked: "Isn't there a menma that goes well with wine?" or "If there were a menma that pairs with wine, I'd love to buy it." (There were also many requests for lemon sour pairings!)
In response to those voices, Menmaya Daimon set out to develop a menma that pairs with wine.
Having finally achieved a flavor they were fully satisfied with, they were able to bring it to market.
Craftsmanship and Key Points for Pairing with Wine
How does "Wine ni Yoku Au Menma" differ from typical menma?
First, as a common feature of the "Pairs Well with " series, they use rare, fully fermented Taiwanese raw ingredients and apply a special manufacturing process distinct from standard menma, finishing it with a crisp, crunchy texture.
This results in a clean bite and a delightfully satisfying texture that is less likely to get caught in one's teeth—a welcome quality for an "alcohol appetizer."
Next, in tailoring the menma to wine, they underwent numerous prototypes through continuous trial and error.
According to the representative at Menmaya Daimon, the number of prototypes may have been the highest compared to other series.
In an effort to match wine, they also prototyped tomato-based flavors and smoked versions, but these did not yield fully satisfying results.
Ultimately, they reached the conclusion that a basil flavor paired best with wine, leading to its commercial release.
Furthermore, developing a Western-style menma was a first for Menmaya Daimon as well.
This is surely an exciting product for wine fans, expanding the horizons of wine pairing.
Does It Really Go with Wine?
The recommended wines to pair with "Wine ni Yoku Au Menma" are white wines or light-bodied red wines.
However, even when told, "This menma goes great with wine," one might still find it a bit hard to believe.
So, I decided to actually pair "Wine ni Yoku Au Menma" with wine.
The "Wine ni Yoku Au Menma" itself has subtle basil notes along with garlic and a spicy touch, yet it is delicate rather than overpowering.
It has a wonderfully crisp, crunchy texture; while the distinct character of menma is present, it does not dominate, finishing clean and refreshing.
The aftertaste is slightly spicy—a flavor that naturally makes you crave a drink.
This time, I prepared Japanese white and red wines blended from various grape varieties.
First, the white wine.
The basil nuance of the menma harmonizes with the citrusy and herbal notes of the white wine, creating a refreshing pairing.
Moreover, the sweetness of the menma and the fruitiness of the white wine complement each other beautifully, resulting in a very natural pairing where the finish does not clash.
Next, the red wine.
For the red wine, I chose a light-bodied bottle crafted with Muscat Bailey A and other varieties, where grape aromas and fruit character are clearly felt.
Because the red wine also carries subtle green herbal nuances, it pairs effortlessly with the basil flavor, and it matches remarkably well with the garlic and spicy hints.
Although the red wine has barely noticeable tannins, that delicate astringency harmonizes with the menma's aftertaste, achieving great balance.
In conclusion, "Wine ni Yoku Au Menma" truly goes well with wine.
What personally impressed me was that, true to being crafted for wine, wine was by far the best match among other alcoholic beverages.
For example, while "sushi × wine" has become a staple pairing, many people still end up answering that sake goes best.
There are also kamaboko fish cakes and potato chips tailored to wine, yet when compared, many would likely say beer is the ultimate match.
While menma also gives the impression that beer is the only choice, with "Wine ni Yoku Au Menma," wine is truly the best fit.
It is a menma that wine lovers should definitely try.
Pairing "Menma and Octopus Mozzarella Salad" with White Wine!
Part of the charm of "Wine ni Yoku Au Menma" is that you can also enjoy it in arranged dishes.
Here, we introduce an arranged recipe using "Wine ni Yoku Au Menma" that is best enjoyed with white wine.
Ingredients (Serves 1–2)
・"Wine ni Yoku Au Menma"... 70g
・Willow octopus (yanagi-dako)... 60g
・Bite-sized mozzarella... as desired
・Pitted olives in brine... about 5 to 8 pieces
・Lemon juice... 1 teaspoon
・Olive oil... as desired
・Rock salt... 1 pinch
・Dried parsley... as desired
Directions
1. Cut the "Wine ni Yoku Au Menma" into 2–3 cm pieces.
2. Cut the willow octopus into 2 cm pieces as well.
3. Cut the olives in brine in half.
4. Mix the lemon juice, a pinch of rock salt, and olive oil together.
5. Place the ingredients along with the bite-sized mozzarella into a bowl, add step ④ and dried parsley, and toss well.
6. Plate step ⑤ onto a dish.
Since "Wine ni Yoku Au Menma" is thoroughly seasoned, a single pinch of rock salt is plenty to make it delicious.
It is a highly satisfying dish where you can enjoy the texture of the willow octopus, the crisp crunch of "Wine ni Yoku Au Menma," and the tender, plump bite of mozzarella.
The crisp, zesty flavors of lemon juice and olive oil harmonize with the aromas of white wine, and the sweetness of "Wine ni Yoku Au Menma" complements the fruitiness of white wine, creating an outstanding match.
It is a simple dish that only involves cutting and tossing, so please give it a try.
Conclusion
Japanese wine is often said to be relatively easy to pair with a wide variety of ingredients.
However, many people may not have been able to picture pairing it with menma.
The "Wine ni Yoku Au Menma" introduced here was developed specifically to be enjoyed with wine, allowing you to savor the pairing of "wine × menma" without overthinking it.
You can also enjoy arranged dishes with it, making it highly recommended for cooking enthusiasts as well.
Take this opportunity to check out "Wine ni Yoku Au Menma."
Reference
Purchase "Wine ni Yoku Au Menma" here.
Menmaya Daimon
https://menma.jp/