The story
In São Paulo’s quiet Jardim Paulista neighborhood, Goya Zushi offers a focused, intimate take on Japanese cuisine. The restaurant has earned a Michelin recommendation for its precision and quality, a recognition that aligns with its dedication to sourcing and presentation.
The experience here is built around counter dining, where guests can watch the chef’s work up close. The atmosphere is calm and refined, with air conditioning ensuring comfort during São Paulo’s warmer evenings. Dinner service is complemented by a carefully chosen wine pairing program.
What sets Goya Zushi apart is its deep commitment to sake. The beverage menu reads like a masterclass in Japanese brewing, organized by grade and region. The selection includes a Dassai Junmai Daiginjo 23 from Yamaguchi, polished to just 23% of the grain, offering an elegant, delicately aromatic profile with a fruity finish and light sweetness. There is also the Hakurakusei Junmai Daiginjo from Miyagi, which balances subtle sweetness with refreshing acidity for a dry, light body.
For those exploring ginjo styles, the Kurumazaka Ginjo Fish Dish from Wakayama presents light, elegant notes of pear, green apple, and a floral touch—fresh, balanced, and clean. The junmai category offers several options, including the dry and balanced Hakuko Junmai from Hiroshima, with notes of cooked rice and a touch of umami, and the Takijiman Karakushi Junmai from Mie, a dry, refreshing sake with herbal and mineral undertones.
While sake is the star, the wine list is thoughtfully curated. A 2023 Eisquell Riesling from Germany brings elegant citrus and white peach notes with a refreshing acidity, while a 2024 Petit Chablis Calcarius from France offers a crisp, mineral-driven profile with lemon and green apple. A 2019 Coquet Vins de Cava from Spain provides fine bubbles and floral, balsamic aromas. For non-alcoholic options, there is a Shantori Sparkling Tea from Brazil, made from selected teas with delicate bubbles and citrus notes.
The pairing of these beverages with the Japanese cuisine at Goya Zushi is the restaurant’s quiet art—each drink chosen to complement rather than overpower the food. Whether you are a sake connoisseur or a curious newcomer, the selection invites exploration.
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