Hakutsuru, Maru Cup Sake, 200ml
Japan's Number One Sake, in Its Most Iconic Format
Cup sake is a single-serve Japanese sake sold in a glass tumbler — and Hakutsuru Maru (白鶴 まる — "White Crane Circle") is Japan's best-selling sake brand, full stop. Brewed in Nada, Kobe — the country's most celebrated sake-producing district — Maru has been the go-to sake across Japan's convenience stores, izakayas, and train station kiosks for decades. The 200ml glass cup is designed to be drunk straight from the vessel: no decanting, no glassware, no waste. If you're building a Japanese drinks list and need one sake that sells itself, this is it.
Why Bars & Restaurants Choose This
- Japan's #1 sake brand: More sake drinkers in Japan reach for Maru than any other brand — proven mass-market appeal that translates to confidence on your menu.
- Zero-waste single serve: The glass cup is the drinking vessel — no extra glassware, no washing up, no breakage risk.
- Nada-brewed since 1743: Hakutsuru's brewery sits in Kobe's Nada district, Japan's most respected sake region. Nearly three centuries of production behind every cup.
- Built-in portion control: 200ml per unit eliminates over-pouring and simplifies stock management and menu costing.
How to Serve
- Chilled (5–10°C): Straight from the fridge for a crisp, clean pour — the classic izakaya experience.
- Warm (kan-zake, 40–45°C): Hot water bath to bring out a rounder, sweeter character — a strong upsell in colder months.
- Sake bomb: Drop the cup into a beer for a crowd-pleasing serve — high-energy events and late-night menus.
- Food pairing: Clean and dry enough to sit alongside sashimi, tempura, yakitori, or ramen without competing.
What does Hakutsuru Maru taste like?
Light, clean rice aroma with no heavy fermentation notes. On the palate it's smooth and dry with a gentle rice sweetness, a faint savoury umami mid-palate, and a short, clean finish. Maru isn't trying to be complex — it's built to be easy-drinking and food-friendly, which is exactly why it outsells everything else in Japan. It pairs broadly, serves at any temperature, and doesn't intimidate guests who are new to sake. For operators, that versatility means faster table turns and fewer "what should I order?" conversations.
Product Details
| Type | 日本酒 — Nihonshu (Japanese Sake) |
| Brand | Hakutsuru (白鶴 — "White Crane") |
| Product Name | Maru (まる — "Circle") |
| Origin | Nada, Kobe, Japan |
| ABV | 13% |
| Volume | 200ml (single-serve glass cup) |
| Best Served | Chilled (5–10°C), room temperature, or warm (40–45°C) |
| Format | Glass cup (drink direct or decant) |
What is cup sake?
Cup sake (カップ酒) is sake sold in a single-serve glass tumbler, typically 180–200ml. The format was pioneered in 1964 and became a fixture of Japanese daily life — found in every convenience store, train station, and izakaya in the country. You drink straight from the glass cup. For UK hospitality, cup sake offers built-in portion control, a visual talking point on any Japanese drinks menu, and no need for separate glassware.
Why is Hakutsuru Maru so popular in Japan?
Three reasons: consistency, price, and availability. Hakutsuru has brewed in Nada since 1743 and the Maru line delivers the same clean, dry profile every time. It's priced as an everyday sake, not a special occasion — and it's stocked virtually everywhere in Japan. That combination of reliability and accessibility made it the country's top-selling sake brand, a position it has held for years.
Can you heat cup sake?
Yes. Maru is one of the best sakes for warming because its clean, simple profile becomes rounder and sweeter when heated. Warm gently to 40–45°C by placing the open cup in a hot water bath — never microwave, as it heats unevenly. Warmed sake pairs especially well with rich dishes like ramen, oden, and braised pork belly. Offering both chilled and warm options gives you two menu serves from one SKU.
SKU : x0079