Why a Japanese Restaurant Like Akai Chose Louis Roederer Champagne

At Akai, we believe that a great Japanese restaurant dinner is defined not only by what’s on the plate, but by what’s in the glass. As a sushi restaurant and Asian restaurant rooted in precision, balance, and craftsmanship, every product we serve must share the same philosophy.

That belief is what naturally led us to Louis Roederer.

Perched on a rooftop overlooking Brussels, Akai is a place where refined cuisine, atmosphere, and product quality come together. Champagne plays a central role in that experience, especially when paired with Japanese and Asian-inspired dishes. Our choice was never about labels or trends. It was about the product.

A Champagne House Built on Craft, Not Marketing

Louis Roederer is widely regarded as one of the world’s great Champagne houses, not because of volume or visibility, but because of an uncompromising focus on terroir and quality.

Unlike many large Champagne producers, Louis Roederer owns and farms the majority of its vineyards. This rare independence allows full control over grape quality, harvest decisions, and long-term vision. For a restaurant like Akai, where ingredient sourcing and respect for product are fundamental, this philosophy resonates deeply.

Just like Japanese cuisine, great Champagne is about:

• Precision
• Patience
• Balance
• Respect for raw materials

These shared values make Louis Roederer a natural partner for a Japanese and Asian restaurant experience.

Champagne and Japanese Cuisine: A Natural Pairing

Champagne is often underestimated at the table, yet it is one of the most versatile wines for pairing with Japanese and Asian cuisine.

The freshness, acidity, and finesse of Louis Roederer Champagnes pair beautifully with:

• Sushi and sashimi
• Raw fish and delicate seafood
• Umami-rich sauces
• Light marinades and subtle spices

At Akai, where our menu moves between sushi, seafood, warm dishes, and sharing plates, Champagne allows guests to enjoy a single wine throughout the meal without overpowering the food.

This is particularly true in a sushi restaurant, where balance is essential and heaviness has no place.

The Louis Roederer Collection at Akai

Louis Roederer Brut Premier

Elegant, precise, and structured, this cuvée is the perfect introduction to the house style. It works exceptionally well with sushi, nigiri, sashimi, and lighter starters, making it an ideal choice for a Japanese restaurant dinner.

Cristal

Cristal is not about prestige alone. It is about purity, minerality, and tension. With its finesse and depth, Cristal pairs beautifully with premium fish, lobster, and refined dishes where texture and precision matter most.

Louis Roederer Rosé by Starck

One of our personal favourites during our Champagne and wine tastings, this rosé impressed us with its elegance, freshness, and subtle fruit expression. It stands out as a rosé Champagne that enhances food rather than dominating it.

It pairs remarkably well with dishes featuring:

• Tuna and salmon
• Lightly grilled fish
• Dishes with gentle sweetness or acidity

For us, it perfectly reflects the idea of Champagne as part of a gastronomic journey, not just a celebratory moment.

A Rooftop Experience Where the Product Comes First

Serving Champagne on a rooftop restaurant adds another dimension to the experience. The view, the light, the atmosphere all amplify the perception of what’s in the glass.

But at Akai, the setting never replaces substance.

We chose Louis Roederer because it performs at the table. Because it respects the food. Because it aligns with the standards we apply to our kitchen, our sushi counter, and our bar.

In a city where dining is evolving, Akai positions itself as a destination where Asian cuisine, sushi, Champagne, and rooftop dining meet with coherence and intention.

More Than a Champagne Choice, a Culinary Statement

Choosing Louis Roederer is not about exclusivity. It is about coherence.

As a Japanese restaurant, a sushi restaurant, and an Asian restaurant offering a refined rooftop experience, Akai seeks products that elevate the dining moment without overshadowing it.

Louis Roederer does exactly that.

It is Champagne made for the table.

For food.

For balance.

For those who value substance as much as style.