Blue Kudzu Sake Company

Blue Kudzu is a relatively new installation in the lower River Arts District scene. They offer house-​crafted sakes and several different Japanese-​inspired small plates and entrees. I have ordered small plates there on three separate occasions, and I was underwhelmed by their ramen (served tepid), steamed buns (dough was exceedingly chewy, slightly undercooked), and edamame (chili pepper topping was caked together and tasted a bit… aged). I have also had disappointingly slow and slightly moody servers more than once. However, their sake is quite good, and they offer flights for the entry-​level sake enthusiast to test her palate. The crowning jewel of this establishment was their $ 2.50 mimosas on Sundays – is there a better way to nurse a hangover or to bring yourself down from overindulgence at brunch? Unfortunately as of last weekend, they appear to have gotten rid of the Sunday special and the karaōke that went with it. Management, if you’re listening, please bring back the RAD’s best mimosas!

OOHH MA MAMA! What a grand old time I had a Blue Kudzu and what truly made it that experience was the was that we were treated – I felt like VIP people! We had just ventured over from The Wedge during a weekend trip to Asheville and after meandering through artists shops we eventually wound up at Blue Kudzu, completely empty expect for a couple seated at a table in the back. As I love to do, I quickly grabbed a seat at the bar and my three companions joined. We were immediately greeted and prompted carried to wonderland on the wings of our bartender, one of the most outgoing, talkative (not over-​the-​top) and friendly men I have ever met. I can’t say I’ve had a lot of experience with sake so I decided upon a flight, although never as it sits at a whopping $ 17 for four taster glasses. However, it’s not many times that I end up at a Sake bar let alone a Sake Brewery, so I gave in and was not disappointed.
I tried the Dancing River, Thundershow, Snow Bunny and the Winter Snow Flower. I loved having the bartender explain the process to us and being able to see the color difference in the glasses. My favorite was the Snow Bunny, tasted like I was sipping on a piña colada. And with most Sake’s registering at a grand 18 – 22 ABV, you’ll be happy in no time. You’ll have to stop in to learn why Sake is served hot some places, but cold in others. And definitely take time to look around the corner at their distilling machines. I hope in the future they give tours of the «brewery», although I do feel like with the service we received, a tour wouldn’t have added to our new found knowledge or incredible experience. I’ll be back, and hopefully next time I can try the food!

We had a great time. The sake is wonderful and could not get enough of the appetizers. Staff very attentive

A convenient place to have in your apt building, The sake selection is amazing so many to choose from, the service is great, Mimosas on sundays are the best! Just a cool place to hang out.

Finally got to check out this place on a Sunday. I read about Blue Kudzu in a local magazine awhile ago, before they were open for production, and ever since then I was looking forward to visit the rare NC sake distillery. And when I saw on their website that they serve food as well, I was determined to make this our last stop before heading home after a friends’ getaway weekend.
First impression: unexpectedly new and open space. I would have thought they have a small, older industrial space, but instead they occupy the end of a new commercial building with an open floorplan in the River Arts District. The sake production happens in the back, which you walk right by it on the way to the restrooms.
7 of us were their first table on an early Sunday afternoon. I ordered their sake flight (don’t quote me, but it is very reasonably priced, about $ 10), which consisted of 4 big servings of their «Dancing River,» «Spirit of the Sky,» «Thunder Snow,» and «Snow Bunny». Overall their sakes are light and smooth. And the flight is enough for 2 people to share.
For food Blue Kudzu offers a small Asian inspired menu. I shared 3 steam buns (pork belly, duck confit, shrimp & grits) and a beef rice bowl with my best friend. We decided to spend the rest of our dining budget on $ 2.50 mimosas. Portion is on the smaller spectrum, but food was good.
When we found out that they offer karaōke at 2pm on 1^st Sunday of the month (which was the Sunday we were there), 3 of us decided to make a funday Sunday out of it and it was a lot of fun. The crowd was good, the mimosas were excellent (especially for the price). Service was excellent during our entire visit, and I believe the bartender lady is one of the founders, who was informative with their sake selections.

Stopped in while visiting Asheville today. Had a flight of their house made sake. The variety was great, something for everyone, whether you’re a sake fan or a first timer. I wish the kitchen had been open when we were there… the other reviews look great. I look forward to seeing their growth.

Friendly and knowledgable staff, great homemade sake, good food (grits are incredible and the kimchi is awesome), and fun and welcoming atmosphere. Bravo.

So really I’m only rating the sake here since I didn’t eat. But a large reason I would give this place 5 stars was the impeccable service. The bartender was super knowledgable and friendly. I shared a flight which was perfect. My favorite was the coconut sake. So good! Would def come back here on another trip to Asheville.

Great meal and a neat look. I had the shrimp and wasabi grits with bacon, perfect! The staff is extremely friendly and the menu has many Asian treats like bahn mi, pork belly, ramen, and a kimchi rueben that sounds delicious. Variety of seating choices, there are bar stools, tables and several couches for enjoying some sake with friends.

Ok. This place is really cool. In an understated kind of way. Where else have you been to a sake bar? They have sake from all over the world, and can help pair it with their menu offerings. Soon they will begin brewing their own sake… One of only 4 locations in the US to attempt this!

What I have wanted…
Since becoming a sake fan, I realized just how difficult it is to find, and imbibe in. This was a breath of fresh air, and was top notch.
The food was also very good. We were all over the map, from Gyoza’s and Spring Rolls, to Banh Mi, Udon Noodles and Phở. All excellent (but, they could have went with a bit more salt in the Phở).
We will be back, and I am ready to try their home brewed sake!

Part of our river district tour of Asheville. Just happened upon this place. The bartender was more than helpful! We got flights of Sake and she explained to us all about the stuff. Most of it was pretty darn good. I learned a good bit about Sake and the trials and tribulations of running a Sake Distillery or brewery or whatever you call it. They let us look at the back where they will be making their own after their permits go through. We hope to be back when they are making their own. Experience can only get better. Looking forward to that.

Very Cool to see a Sake Brewery in action! We loved it — very comfortable, friendly people, wonderful menu — both for the food and the Sake. We’ll be back — and probably many times