A Soy Sauce Tasting Adventure in Tokyo at SOY&CO.1879

Soy sauce.

For most of the world, it’s synonymous with that iconic red-capped Kikkoman bottle sitting on the kitchen counter. It’s the default seasoning for Japanese food. But have you ever stopped to really taste it?

I don’t mean just telling if it's salty or not. I mean actually comparing different varieties side-by-side.

At SOY&CO.1879, you can open the door to a whole new world of flavor.

A Chance Encounter with SOY&CO.1879

For most of us, soy sauce is just a daily staple. We pour it over Japanese dishes and enjoy it. Period. That is, until I discovered SOY&CO.1879.

I actually ran into this shop on a crisp autumn day while guiding a bike tour. My guests were very curious about cooking, so we were heading toward Kappabashi Street (famous for kitchenware). While waiting at a traffic light, we happened to spot a stylish shop selling... soy sauce?

I have to confess: it was not until we stepped inside that I knew the shop existed—and I didn't even know "soy sauce tasting" was a thing! It was an eye-opening discovery. We were amazed by the distinct differences in each sauce and instantly became fans.

The Art of Fermentation

Basically, soy sauce is fermented soybeans. But much like coffee or wine, the final flavor is all about the details: the water source, the fermentation time, and the brewer’s style. Some are crisp and pair perfectly with delicate sashimi. Others are rich and punchy, strong enough to stand up to a juicy steak. There are even modern citrus-infused blends that work more like a vibrant salad dressing.

The problem is, standing in a supermarket aisle and staring at rows of black bottles tells you nothing about the flavor. You need a place to try them out.

Enter SOY&CO.1879

Located near Kappabashi, SOY&CO.1879 is the perfect spot to solve this dilemma. Here, you can sample nearly ten different varieties before buying. Comparing them back-to-back, you might start to feel like a sommelier picking out subtle notes in a vintage wine. But don’t worry—it’s not pretentious. The shop manager is super friendly and always happy to guide visitors through the tasting.

Centuries of Tradition in a Bottle

Soy & Co. isn't just a shop; it's a historic brewery founded in 1879 in Tatsuno City, near Kobe. That area is actually known as the birthplace of usukuchi (light-colored) soy sauce.

They’ve been using traditional “natural brewing” methods for nearly 150 years, but they aren't stuck in the past. Their signature Beauty Soy Sauce mixes that classic brewed base with 100% fruit juice. It sounds unusual, but the result is a colorful, low-salt sauce that adds a refreshing kick to any dish. It’s a cool way to see how centuries-old traditions can be reinvented for modern tastes.

A Perfect Detour for Cyclists

The only "catch" with Soy & Co.? It’s a bit of a walk from the nearest train station. But for us cyclists, that’s actually a bonus.

It’s the perfect distance for a quick detour during a Tokyo ride. Why not add a soy sauce tasting stop to your next route? It’s a unique cultural experience that fits easily into a pannier bag.

(Heads up: While delicious, these products do contain soybeans and wheat, so please steer clear if you have allergies.)