Japanese Spices

Buy Japanese Spices Online

Not known for being an especially spicy cuisine, Japanese flavors tend to lean towards the subtle end. However, that's not at all to say that Japanese cuisine is bland. In fact, Japanese herbs and spices are commonly used to add zing to a variety of dishes in Japan. Spices used in Japanese cooking include shichimi togarashi, sansho pepper, seaweed flakes like aonori, ground goma (sesame seeds), and more. We’ll dive into each of these essential Japanese spices below. If you’re wondering where to buy Japanese spices, look no further. We’ve got you covered with info and tips to help you buy spices from Japan.

The Japanese spice blend “shichimi togarashi” is one that you’ll want to have on hand. This seven-spice seasoning often includes red chili pepper, orange peel, black and white sesame seeds, sansho pepper, ground ginger, and nori or aonori (dried seaweed). This Japanese seasoning is perfect for sprinkling over a bowl of hot soba or udon noodles, as well as seasoning grilled meats and adding to marinades.

Another Japanese cooking spice, sansho peppercorns are green pods with a citrus-like flavor and numbing bite similar to the Sichuan peppercorn. It is often sprinkled on unagi (eel), yakitori (grilled chicken), fried chicken, and more.

Aonori (seaweed flakes) is another spice used in Japanese cuisine as a seasoning and garnish. This powdery green condiment is shaken over dishes like takoyaki (octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (the Japanese savory pancake). Rich in vitamins and minerals, aonori has a slightly oceanic aroma–a little sweet and a little umami. There are so many seaweed-based Japanese seasonings, each with their own uses and qualities. Moshio salt is one particular seasoning that’s collected from dried seaweed, an ancient method of Japanese salt-making.

Another must-have Japanese ingredient in your pantry is goma (sesame seeds). Toasted or ground, black or white, sesame seeds are an essential seasoning. It can be used as a topping to finish off a bowl of ramen with a nutty hit, or as the main ingredient in sesame dressing. Ground goma is the starring ingredient in spinach goma-ae (Japanese spinach salad with a sesame sauce), a simple and classic dish in every Japanese home cook’s repertoire.

As you can see, the subtle flavors of Japanese cooking are elevated with Japanese spices and seasonings like shichimi togarashi, sesame seeds, seaweed flakes, and sansho pepper. Explore more of the must-have seasonings above and add a special kick to all of your dishes at home.