SKU: 38261938178

Tajima, Sakura Smoked Vinegar, 200ml

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Description

Tajima, Sakura Smoked Vinegar, 200mlSmoke and Acidity in One Bottle, From Britain's Best Kitchens A few drops of this do the work of a smoker and a vinegar at once. Tajima Sakura Smoked Vinegar is a rare Japanese vinegar, gently smoked over cherry (sakura) wood after fermentation, so it carries a clean, sharp acidity wrapped in soft wood smoke and an amber colour to match. It is a quiet weapon on the pass, which is why it turns up in kitchens including Andrew Wong of two Michelin star

Smoke and Acidity in One Bottle, From Britain's Best Kitchens

A few drops of this do the work of a smoker and a vinegar at once. Tajima Sakura Smoked Vinegar is a rare Japanese vinegar, gently smoked over cherry (sakura) wood after fermentation, so it carries a clean, sharp acidity wrapped in soft wood smoke and an amber colour to match. It is a quiet weapon on the pass, which is why it turns up in kitchens including Andrew Wong of two-Michelin-star A. Wong, Rafael Cagali of two-star Da Terra, Kirk Haworth at Plates, Ayo Adeyemi at Akoko and Jean Delport at Interlude. A 200ml bottle of finishing vinegar goes a long way.

Why Chefs Choose This

  • Smoke and acidity at once: adds both in a few drops, no smoker or extra step needed at the pass
  • Cherry-wood smoked: smoked over sakura wood after fermentation for a soft, aromatic smoke rather than a harsh one
  • Used in top kitchens: on the pass at two-star A. Wong and Da Terra, plus Plates, Akoko and Interlude, among others
  • A little goes far: assertive enough to finish a dish in drops, so a 200ml bottle lasts across a long service life

How to Use

  • Finish at the pass: a few drops over grilled meat, fish or roasted vegetables just before serving
  • Dressings and ponzu: build into vinaigrettes, ponzu and dipping sauces for smoke alongside the tang
  • Glazes and marinades: warm gently into a glaze to cut through fatty or rich dishes
  • Beyond Japanese: anywhere smoke and acidity help, from pulses and roast roots to barbecue

燻製酢 — Smoked Vinegar

Kunsei-su (燻製酢) simply means smoked vinegar, from kunsei (燻製, smoked) and su (酢, vinegar). Smoking is an old Japanese preserving and flavouring craft, most famously applied to katsuobushi, the smoke-dried bonito at the heart of dashi; here the same idea is turned on vinegar. After the vinegar is fermented in the usual way, it is smoked over sakura, cherry wood, which is prized in Japanese smoking for a gentle, fragrant smoke rather than an aggressive one. The result is unusual: most vinegars give you only acidity, while this carries a layer of smoke that would otherwise take a grill or a smoking gun to achieve. It is made in Hyōgo, in western Japan.

What does smoked vinegar taste like?

First the smoke, soft and aromatic rather than acrid, then a clean, bright acidity underneath. It is not as sharp on the nose as a plain rice vinegar; the wood smoke rounds the edges and adds a savoury, almost barbecue-like depth, while the finish stays crisp and cutting. Because both elements are concentrated, it reads as assertive, so it is used in drops and small spoonfuls rather than splashes. Think of it as a seasoning that brings acidity and smoke together, the kind of finishing touch that makes a plate taste considered without anyone being able to name the ingredient.

Product Details

Type Smoked vinegar (燻製酢, kunsei-su)
Brand Tajima
Smoking Wood Sakura (cherry)
Origin Hyōgo, Japan
Volume 200ml
Best Used As Finishing and dressing vinegar
Storage Ambient before opening; refrigerate after opening
What is smoked vinegar (kunsei-su)?

It is vinegar that has been smoked over wood after fermentation, so it carries smoke as well as acidity. This one is smoked over sakura (cherry) wood, giving a gentle, aromatic smoke rather than a harsh one. Smoking is a long-standing Japanese flavouring craft, best known from katsuobushi (smoke-dried bonito); applied to vinegar it produces a finishing condiment that adds both tang and a savoury, barbecue-like depth in a single ingredient.

How do you use smoked vinegar?

Use it where you want acidity and a hint of smoke at once, and use it sparingly. The main applications are finishing (a few drops over grilled meat, fish or vegetables at the pass), dressings (vinaigrettes, ponzu and dipping sauces), and glazes or marinades warmed gently so the aroma is not driven off. It also works well beyond Japanese cooking, anywhere a smoky acidity lifts a dish, from pulses and roast vegetables to barbecue. Because it is concentrated, start with less than you think.

How is it different from regular rice vinegar?

A rice vinegar gives you clean acidity for the jobs you reach for in volume, seasoning sushi rice, pickling and dressings. Smoked vinegar is a specialist finishing ingredient: it adds smoke as well as acid and is used in drops, not splashes. The two are complementary rather than interchangeable. For that base acidity the artisanal, super-premium Iio Jozo rice vinegar is a benchmark; keep the smoked vinegar for finishing and for dishes that want an extra savoury, smoky layer.

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SKU: 38261938178

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Jimmy
Alexandria, US
★★★★★ 5
Good Food
Flavor Name: Traditional, Size: 4 Ounce (Pack of 1)
I have had South African Billtong before and I loved it, so I thought I would try SA Droewars and see if they were as satisfying. The answer is yes! They are delicious and nothing like your typical mass marketed jerky snacks sold in the US. Droewars are lightly seasoned beef jerky sticks and, although I have not seen the numbers, they seem to be only lightly salted (important for me). The meat is not chewy or grisly, so the beef cuts they use must be prime. This is the first time I have tried the Ayoba-Yo brand and I am happy with my purchase. I am awaiting delivery of several varieties of Billtong from Ayoba-Yo presently and I will report back. Not inexpensive, but the value is there for sure. Jimmy
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2019
A
Verified Purchase
Amanda and Wayne Gerber
Phoenix, US
★★★★★ 1
Almost not edible
Flavor Name: Traditional, Size: 2 Ounce (Pack of 3), Flavor Name: Traditional, Size: 2 Ounce (Pack of 3)
I am south african, an afrikaaner. I grew up eating droewors and biltong. I'm not sure what went wrong with this product. I have to believe it was off quality product and not what they are choosing to ship. The flavor was ok. Nothing spectacular. Thr big issue was texture of the droewors and the fact that the meat had shrunk away from the casing leaving the casing inedible. See my pic. This is not what droeworse looks like. Also, being from south africa I've never heard anyone say the word ayoba....
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Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2023
S
Verified Purchase
Shannon A. Williams
Pawtucket, US
★★★★★ 4
Good taste. A bit dry texture.
Flavor Name: Traditional, Size: 4 Ounce (Pack of 1)
Great taste. Unusual flavor but still good. It was a very dry texture. I do want to try another flavor.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2025
A
Verified Purchase
Amazon Customer
Fort Morgan, US
★★★★★ 3
Meh
Flavor Name: Traditional, Size: 2 Ounce (Pack of 3)
It’s just okay. I’ve been looking for something that is as close to possible as dry wors in South Africa. This is not it. Is it dry wors? Yes. But is it good dry wors? No; it is very average. I wouldn’t buy it again. I’ll have to keep on searching for that yummy, moist, soft, flavorful dry wors that seems so elusive on this side of the pond.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2026
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Verified Purchase
J. Kinney
Houston, US
★★★★★ 5
Droewors + WHY BARS
Flavor Name: Traditional, Size: 1 Ounce (Pack of 12)
I like them as they are a quick snack on the go. I go for these beef sticks and I eat lots of tasty WHY BARS to get high-quality nutrition for my busy lifestyle. Why not!
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Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2025

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