Aug 31, 2023

5 Must-Try Japanese Seasonings to Elevate Your Cooking

Have you ever savored Japanese cuisine and yearned for just a touch more flavor flair? Beyond the traditional staples like salt, soy sauce, and miso, there are unique Japanese seasonings that can add that extra kick, effortlessly elevating any dish. They're not only wonderful to cook with, but also to drizzle atop finished dishes. Their use is versatile and simple.

Today, the passionate staff from Musubi Kiln introduce their favorite seasonings and how they enjoy them.

tables of contents

Shichimi Togarashi (Japanese Seven Spice) Shirata-san's Pick: with "Tonjiru" (Pork Soup) Sansho (Japanese pepper) Yamashita-san's Pick: with Unadon (Grilled Eel Rice Bowl) Ponzu (Japanese Citrus Sauce) Aiba-san's Pick: with Yudofu (Tofu Hot Pot) Yuzu Kosho Tominaga-san's Pick: with Yakitori (Japanese Grilled Chicken) Shio Koji Umehara-san's Pick: with Cucumber

Shichimi Togarashi (Japanese Seven Spice)

"Shichimi Togarashi" is a spice blend, primarily consisting of chili peppers, used as a condiment and seasoning in Japan.

The origins of Shichimi Togarashi in Japan can be traced back to 1625. It was first introduced by a man named Tokubei, the founder of "Karashiya Tokubei," in the Yagenbori area of Edo (now Tokyo). Yagenbori was known as a hub where doctors and medicine merchants congregated. Shichimi Togarashi was conceived with the idea of incorporating Chinese herbal medicine into daily cuisine.

At the time, "Soba" (buckwheat noodles), a popular dish among the common people of Edo, paired perfectly with this seasoning, leading to its increased popularity.

Shirata-san's Pick: with "Tonjiru" (Pork Soup)

When autumn and winter arrive, many gravitate towards the hearty and nutritious Tonjiru pork soup. While I've experimented with numerous seasonings, Shichimi Togarashi always stands out as the perfect match. Its spicy kick in the steaming broth warms you from the inside, making it ideal for the chilly seasons. It's also a delightful addition to udon noodles and yakitori. Not to mention, it's irreplaceable when mixed with mayonnaise as a dipping sauce for grilled dried squid.

Sansho (Japanese pepper)

A refreshing citrus aroma and flavor, accompanied by a subtle, tongue-tingling spiciness. When it comes to indispensable spices in Japanese cuisine, "Sansho" comes to mind.

Ground Sansho is made by drying the skin of ripe sansho berries and then grinding it into a powder. Beyond that, various parts of the Sansho plant, including new shoots, young leaves, buds, and fruits, are also utilized for culinary purposes. As evidenced by the discovery of pottery containing Sansho from the ancient Jomon period (14,000 BCE - 3rd-5th century BCE) archaeological sites, it can be considered Japan's oldest spice.

The spice is believed to have originated in the East Asian regions of the Japanese Archipelago and the Korean Peninsula. It is distributed throughout the Japanese islands, from Hokkaido to Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu, all the way to Yakushima, as well as in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and China.

Yamashita-san's Pick: with Unadon (Grilled Eel Rice Bowl)

Sansho and eel are a classic pairing, and they are invariably offered together in restaurants. Sprinkling it over grilled chicken or adding it to soup also brings delightful flavors.

Personally, I like to make a Sansho sauce and drizzle it over meat and fish. Combining soy sauce, sugar, Sansho, and sesame oil, along with finely chopped green onions, ginger, and garlic, creates a sauce that is rich in spice and flavor.

Ponzu (Japanese Citrus Sauce)

Ponzu is a commonly used sauce on Japanese dining tables. It has a fruity tang and a refreshing taste not found in soy sauce, making it a captivating addition. It's an indispensable part of Japanese cuisine, complementing a variety of dishes and elevating their flavors.

The word "pon" in ponzu is widely believed to be derived from the Dutch word "pons," which refers to fruit juice. It is said that the term may have come into use in Japan due to a misunderstanding of the Dutch word "pons," leading people to refer to citrus juice as "ponzu." Often, this citrus-infused sauce is mixed with soy sauce to create "ponzu soy sauce," a combination widely available as pre-mixed commercial products. This has led to the term "ponzu" commonly being used to refer to ponzu soy sauce.

Aiba-san's Pick: with Yudofu (Tofu Hot Pot)

The ponzu sauce I brought today is currently my favorite. The balance of soy sauce, broth, and yuzu flavor is just perfect. Yudofu, or tofu hot pot, is a simple dish, but the tofu and ponzu mutually enrich each other's natural flavors, making it a nutritious and wholesome meal that often appears on our dining table. This sauce is also great on a variety of other dishes like shabu-shabu, Japanese-style fried chicken, grilled fish, and sashimi such as bonito and flounder. It's delicious on just about anything.

Yuzu Kosho

Yuzu Kosho is a versatile seasoning originating from Kyushu, Japan, known for its refreshing yuzu aroma combined with a sharp spiciness. Made from finely chopped yuzu peel, fresh green chili peppers, and salt, it's full of flavor. While "Kosho" originally refers to black pepper, in some regions of Kyushu it has traditionally been used to describe chili peppers. This local terminology has since become widely accepted.

Tominaga-san's Pick: with Yakitori (Japanese Grilled Chicken)

I love the unique aroma and flavor of Yuzu Kosho, so it's a staple in my fridge for easy culinary enjoyment. It's not just for chicken; it also pairs exceptionally well with pork and fish. It's delicious when used as a dip for hot pot ingredients as well.

Additionally, you can make a Japanese-style dressing by mixing Yuzu Kosho with ponzu sauce and either olive oil or sesame oil.

It's even a tasty accent when added to pasta sauce.

Shio Koji

Finally, let us introduce a seasoning that may be unfamiliar to some. "Shio Koji" is a seasoning made by fermenting a mixture of koji, salt, and water. "Koji" refers to grains or legumes that have been steamed and then inoculated with a microorganism known as koji mold. Shio Koji not only has the taste of salt but also contains umami and sweetness generated through fermentation. Therefore, using it in place of salt adds depth and richness to the flavor. Additionally, the enzymatic action of Shio Koji tenderizes ingredients like meat. Another feature is that it is rich in vitamins.

Umehara-san's Pick: with Cucumber

This time I used a store-bought version, but I usually make my own by mixing dried rice Koji, salt, and water. It's ready after about a week of sitting. I tend to go easy on the salt content.

I frequently use it to marinate meat, both tenderizing it and adding flavor. I also make soup by adding Shio Koji as a replacement for miso. Shio Koji soup has a sweeter taste than miso soup, and you can really taste the flavor of the vegetables, which is something my kids enjoy as well.

When people gather, it's a good idea to place a variety of seasonings on the table and let everyone enjoy their meal with their preferred taste. Transferring spices like Shichimi, Sansho, and Yuzu Kosho into spice containers uplifts the theme of Japanese cuisine and creates a more sophisticated table setting. Find your favorite seasonings and make use of them during regular meals or when you have guests over for dining.

View Spice Containers Collection