Dassai 23 · Dassai 39 · Dassai 45 · Tatenokawa Yuzu · Hakkaisan Tokubetsu Junmai
Wine Warehouse · Shopee (The Chamber) compared · Verified August 2026
Sake Prices Malaysia at a Glance — August 2026
Dassai range (Wine Warehouse best):
Tatenokawa & Hakkaisan (Shopee best):
Verdict:Buy Dassai from Wine Warehouse — their RM135–338 pricing beats Shopee across the full Dassai range. For Tatenokawa and Hakkaisan, Shopee's The Chamber is the go-to source in Malaysia. Dassai 23 (only 23% rice remaining) is the most prestigious sake you can buy in Malaysia at RM338.
Premium Japanese sake is the fastest-growing spirits category in Malaysian Japanese restaurants. Dassai is the #1 searched sake brand in Malaysia — brewed by Asahi Shuzo in Yamaguchi, Japan and exported to over 30 countries. You'll find it on the menu at almost every mid-tier to premium Japanese restaurant in KL and PJ.
What is Junmai Daiginjo?
The top grade of sake. Junmai = pure rice, no brewer's alcohol added. Daiginjo = at least 50% of the rice grain polished away. Result: ultra-clean, fruity, aromatic sake with no grain bitterness.
The Dassai number system
Dassai 23 = only 23% of rice remains (77% polished off). Dassai 39 = 39% remains. Dassai 45 = 45% remains. Lower number = more polishing = more expensive = more refined aroma.
Niigata vs Yamaguchi style
Dassai (Yamaguchi) = fruity, floral, expressive. Hakkaisan (Niigata) = dry, clean, crisp — the classic "Niigata style" loved by purists. Tatenokawa (Yamagata) = balanced, with flavoured variants (yuzu, plum) popular in Malaysia.
Verified August 2026 · WW = Wine Warehouse · Shopee = The Chamber seller · Cheapest price highlighted per row
| Brand | Type | Size | Shopee (The Chamber) | Wine Warehouse |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dassai 39 Junmai Daiginjo | Junmai Daiginjo | 720ml | RM135.00 | |
| Dassai 45 Junmai Daiginjo | Junmai Daiginjo | 720ml | RM138.00 | |
| Dassai 23 Junmai Daiginjo | Junmai Daiginjo | 720ml | RM338.00 | |
| Dassai 45 Sparkling | Junmai Daiginjo Sparkling | 360ml | — | |
| Tatenokawa Yuzu Sake | Yuzu Sake | 720ml | — | |
| Tatenokawa Yamagata Plum | Plum Sake (Umeshu) | 720ml | — | |
| Hakkaisan Tokubetsu Junmai | Tokubetsu Junmai | 720ml | — | |
| Hakkaisan Junmai Daiginjo | Junmai Daiginjo | 720ml | — | |
| Daishichi Junmai Kimoto | Junmai Kimoto | 720ml | — | |
| Suigei Tokubetsu Junmai | Tokubetsu Junmai | 720ml/1800ml | — | |
| Gikyo Tomogara Junmai Ginjo | Junmai Ginjo | 720ml | — |
Bold = cheapest store for that product. Shopee prices vary by seller and promotion — always verify before purchase.
Where to buy each brand — quick guide
Dassai → Wine Warehouse
WW stocks all three Dassai grades. Dassai 39 at RM135 and Dassai 45 at RM138 — significantly cheaper than Shopee's RM199–359 for the same bottles.
Tatenokawa → Shopee
The Chamber on Shopee is the primary retail channel for Tatenokawa in Malaysia. Yuzu at RM149 has 96 units sold — the most popular sake on Shopee MY.
Hakkaisan → Shopee or Whisky.my
The Chamber offers Tokubetsu Junmai at RM116 vs Whisky.my's RM129. Both are legitimate options — Whisky.my has wider stock and faster shipping.
Picks based on real comparative signals — price, sold count, and each bottle's stated polishing ratio or flavour profile — not a tasting panel we haven't run.
Dassai 39 Junmai Daiginjo — RM135
Dassai's mid-tier flagship — fruity pear and melon notes with a clean finish, described as the best entry into premium Dassai.
Based on: stated tasting notes + lowest of the three Dassai grades at Wine Warehouse
Dassai 45 Junmai Daiginjo — RM138
Described as Dassai's most accessible grade — a softer, rounder mouthfeel with light apple and yoghurt notes.
Based on: stated tasting notes
Dassai 23 Junmai Daiginjo — RM338
Only 23% of each rice grain remains after polishing — the most polished and aromatic sake in the lineup, with an elegant, long finish.
Based on: stated polishing ratio + price
Dassai 45 Sparkling — RM111
A carbonated Junmai Daiginjo in a 360ml bottle — refreshing and lower alcohol, described as great as an aperitif or gift.
Based on: stated occasion + price
Tatenokawa Yuzu Sake — RM149
The most popular Tatenokawa product in Malaysia — 96 units sold on Shopee confirms strong demand for its bright citrus aroma.
Based on: 96 sold count
Tatenokawa Yamagata Plum — RM139
A plum sake (umeshu) described as sweet, fruity, and rich — best served over ice or as a dessert drink.
Based on: stated tasting notes
Hakkaisan Tokubetsu Junmai — RM116
The most affordable Hakkaisan expression — clean, dry, and crisp, the quintessential Niigata-style sake.
Based on: price
Hakkaisan Junmai Daiginjo — RM170
Brewed with snowmelt water from the Echigo Mountains — soft, elegant, and floral, described as a benchmark Niigata daiginjo.
Based on: stated brewing method + tasting notes
Daishichi Junmai Kimoto — RM149
Made using the traditional kimoto method, giving a fuller, more savoury body than modern sake — built to pair with food.
Based on: stated brewing method
Suigei Tokubetsu Junmai — RM157
Known for bone-dry, clean, and crisp character with minimal sweetness — built to pair with sashimi and grilled fish.
Based on: stated tasting notes
Gikyo Tomogara Junmai Ginjo — RM209
A boutique small-batch Ginjo, aromatic and fruit-forward — described as a good pick after mainstream brands like Dassai or Hakkaisan.
Based on: stated positioning relative to mainstream brands
| Grade | Rice Polished Away | Added Alcohol? | Example (Malaysia) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honjozo | 30%+ | Yes (small amount) | Hakkaisan Honjozo RM126 (WW) |
| Tokubetsu Junmai | 40%+ | No | Hakkaisan Tokubetsu Junmai RM116 (Shopee) |
| Junmai Ginjo | 40%+ | No | Tatenokawa Yuzu RM149 (Shopee) |
| Junmai Daiginjo | 50%+ | No | Dassai 45 RM138 (WW) / Dassai 39 RM135 (WW) |
| Ultra-premium Daiginjo | 77%+ | No | Dassai 23 RM338 (WW) |
Wine Warehouse
Best for DassaiStocks full Dassai range: Dassai 23 (RM338), 39 (RM135), 45 (RM138), Sparkling, and 1.8L formats. Best online prices for Dassai — significantly cheaper than Shopee. Also carries Hakkaisan Honjozo (RM126) and Daiginjo (RM338). Nationwide delivery.
Shopee — The Chamber
Best for TatenokawaThe Chamber is a licensed specialty sake seller on Shopee MY with strong sales data — Tatenokawa Yuzu 96 sold, Dassai 39 40 sold. Best source for Tatenokawa (Yuzu RM149, Plum RM139) and competitive on Hakkaisan (RM116). Check seller ratings and filter by highest sold.
Whisky.my
Wide sake selectionDedicated Malaysian spirits retailer with one of the widest sake selections online. Hakkaisan Tokubetsu Junmai 720ml RM129 (vs Shopee RM116), Junmai Daiginjo RM143–168. Also stocks Dassai, Juyondai, Kubota, and rare labels. Good for exploring beyond Dassai.
Jaya Grocer
In-store KL/SelangorCarries selected sake in-store at premium KL/Selangor branches (TTDI, The Gardens, Bangsar). In-store selection is limited vs online stores. Convenient for last-minute gift buying — prices typically higher than Wine Warehouse online.
Cellar 18
Check websiteCellar 18 stocks sake but website can be intermittently unavailable. Stocks Dassai and selected Japanese sake. If the site is down, use Google cache: site:cellar18.com.my sake. Free delivery over RM500 — useful for mixing sake with wine orders.
Duty-Free (KLIA / Langkawi)
Travellers onlyPremium sake is 20–35% cheaper at duty-free. Dassai 23 can be found at ~RM220–260 vs RM338 retail. Allowance: 1 litre alcohol per person entering Malaysia. Best absolute price for travellers — look in the Japanese spirits section at KLIA.
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