Wasabi is a very popular ingredient in Japanese cuisine, but it is quite rare. It is commonly used in a variety of dishes, and is even used to flavor snacks, condiments, and drinks.
![How To Eat Wasabi The Japanese Way [Ultimate Guide]](https://justaboutjapan.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/How-To-Eat-Wasabi-The-Japanese-Way-Ultimate-Guide.jpg)
Real wasabi should have a slightly gritty texture, as this will prove it has been grated from the wasabi plant. Fake wasabi is usually pasty and thick, and perfectly smooth. This is a strong indication that it is fake, and is simply from horseradish.
To find out more about wasabi, and how to eat wasabi, keep reading! We will cover everything you need to know in this article.
What Is Wasabi?
Wasabi is the name given to Japanese horseradish – a plant belonging to the Brassicaceae family. In this family are other familiar plants such as mustard and horseradish, so you already know it is spicy. This ingredient is not a spice, but a root.
The rhizome (underground stem) of the wasabi plant is harvested, then very finely grated to achieve a paste. Wasabi is much smoother than other similar products, like ginger, and has a completely different taste.
Describing what wasabi tastes like is difficult. Some might describe it as herb-y and plant-like, with a hint of pickle. The flavor itself is not powerful, as you can still enjoy delicate flavors in the same mouthful.
However, the potent vapors it releases will make your eyes water if you are not used to it.
How Spicy Is Wasabi?
Wasabi is thought to have a heat that is similar to the popular jalapeño pepper. These peppers can be anywhere from 2,500 to 8,000 Scoville Heat Units. They are not the spiciest peppers in the world by any means, but they certainly have a kick to them.
As such, if you are trying wasabi for the first time, but have had jalapeño peppers before, you can expect something similar.
With that being said, the major difference between wasabi and chili peppers is that the vapors from wasabi make it hot. This has to be dealt with differently to peppers, so do not reach for the milk when it gets hot in the wasabi kitchen!
How Is Wasabi Used?
Wasabi gets used by tiny dabs of it being added to your food. It is normal for people to dab the wasabi on one side of the sushi, then turn it over and dip the other side in soy sauce.
This will allow you to get the perfect balance of all the flavors in whatever you are eating.
How To Eat Wasabi The Japanese Way: What To Eat It On
Wasabi is used on a lot of different foods in Japanese cuisine. Not only that, but this ingredient has recently been used to flavor snacks and even drinks!
Nothing is safe from the touch of wasabi, and you can expect to find it in a wide variety of foods and drinks throughout Japan.
Here are some common foods and drinks that you will find wasabi on:
- Soba
- Sashimi
- Sushi
- Wasabi zuke
- Wasabi peanuts
- Wasabi peas
- Wasabi salad dressing
- Wasabi mayonnaise
- Wasabi BBQ sauce
- Wasabi Ramune
As you can see, wasabi has infiltrated the snack and condiment world (not that we are complaining). While you can expect to find this spicy addition to traditional Japanese foods like soba, sashimi, and sushi, there’s more.
Popular wasabi snacks like wasabi peanuts and peas have spread across the world.
Ramune, a popular Japanese drink with a glass ball in the top, even comes in wasabi flavor. The usually mild mayonnaise can even come in wasabi flavor if you are lucky – this would be fantastic on sandwiches.
How To Eat Wasabi Without Burning Your Nose
![How To Eat Wasabi The Japanese Way [Ultimate Guide]](https://justaboutjapan.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/How-To-Eat-Wasabi-The-Japanese-Way-Ultimate-Guide-1.jpg)
Now that you have gotten this far, you are probably wondering how you should go about eating wasabi. You want to enjoy it (or try to), while not getting emotionally damaged.
It’s a fine line, but luckily there are some things you can do to give yourself the best shot.
Below is some advice we would like to offer to help you on your wasabi journey. If you have been nervous about trying wasabi for the first time, or want to improve your technique, here you go!
Proper Breathing
The burn from wasabi primarily comes from the potent vapors it releases. This is different to chili, so do not treat the two the same way.
The best thing you can do to mitigate the burn that wasabi offers is to control your breathing. We advise you to inhale through your nose, and exhale through the mouth.
This will prevent the vapors from spreading from your mouth (where the wasabi should be), to other areas. Just be careful that you don’t choke on whatever you are eating – it’s easier than you think.
Control Portion Sizes
It is very easy to get a drop of wasabi and think it will not have an effect on you.
However, do not underestimate it, because you will always lose. Try the absolute tiniest amount you can get your hands on – something closer to the size of a pinhead than a pea.
If you take it well, you can slowly start to increase the amount. Take it slow, and be kind to yourself, or else you will regret it very quickly.
Be sure to double-check if the food you are eating already contains wasabi. Some foods, like most sushi, will already have wasabi in or on it. Do not try to slap on more unless you can handle it!
Have A Drink At Hand
Tea is preferable, as this will help to coat the inside of your mouth and throat. Drink some before you jump into the deep end to help with the pain.
If, however, you are already eating wasabi and need a drink, do not drink tea. The heat from it will only spread the vapors around more and make it burn more.
Instead, opt for a carbonated drink of some kind – the bubbles will help to mask the unpleasant burning.
If all else fails, simply drinking water will help. This will aid in washing the wasabi away, and reduce the burning sensation in your mouth and throat.
Brace Yourself
No matter how much preparation you can do, you are still going to have to brace yourself for that kick – because it always comes. Whether it is the first time you’re trying wasabi, or the hundredth, you will always get a punch in the face.
Once you know what to expect, it does get easier. When you get used to the burning sensation, you will eventually enjoy the pain!
Final Thoughts
Wasabi is not an easy thing to eat, and it can take some time to get used to the flavor and potent vapors. However, once you get the hang of it, and master the eating technique, you can learn to enjoy it!
If you are going to be trying wasabi for the first time, be sure to follow the tips mentioned above. This should help you get through the experience with minimal damage, so you are ready to come back for more.
I hope that, by exploring this website, you all will develop a much deeper appreciation for Japan, and that it may even influence you to pay it a visit yourself eventually! It is definitely a trip of a lifetime, and whether you experience it firsthand, or through my own website, I’m sure you will become just as passionate as I always have been!
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