7 Things You Need to Know about Furikake (2024)

by Mishima Foods on

If you're beginning your culinary exploration of Japanese cuisine, there's a certain condiment you'll encounter that might raise some eyebrows - furikake. A harmonious blend of sweet and savory, this traditional Japanese seasoning is a flavor powerhouse that you need to know about. Let's dive into the fascinating world of furikake.

7 Things You Need to Know about Furikake (1)

Guide Contents:

  1. What is Furikake Made Of?
  2. What Does Furikake Taste Like?
  3. Is Furikake Healthy?
  4. What is Furikake Good For?
  5. What Does Furikake Mean in Japanese?
  6. Does Furikake Taste Fishy?
  7. The Role of Mishima Foods in the Furikake World

What is Furikake Made Of?

Furikake, in its most basic form, is a blend of sesame seeds, katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes), green seaweed flakes, and nori seaweed. However, the true magic of furikake lies in its versatility, with countless variations incorporating additional ingredients such as salt, sugar, or dried shiso leaves.

What Does Furikake Taste Like?

Newcomers to furikake might wonder about its flavor profile. Imagine a crunchy, salty seasoning filled with umami goodness from the bonito flakes and seaweed nori, rounded off with a nutty undertone from sesame seeds. But furikake isn't just a taste sensation - its crunchy texture also adds a delightful dimension to the dishes it graces.

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Is Furikake Healthy?

You bet! Furikake is packed with calcium, making it an excellent choice for addressing calcium deficits. Plus, the seasoning provides a good source of vitamins like vitamin D, while the nori offers a beneficial dose of iodine. Furikake is also a source of protein, contributing to a balanced diet.

What is Furikake Good For?

Traditionally, furikake is a favorite for sprinkling over steamed rice in Japan. But its applications extend far beyond that. The seasoning adds a burst of flavor to fish, vegetables, onigiri (nori-wrapped rice balls), eggs, avocado toast, poke bowls, and salads. With its umami punch and crispy texture, furikake can elevate any savory dish.

What Does Furikake Mean in Japanese?

'Furikake' translates to 'sprinkles' in Japanese, reflecting its common use. It's often sprinkled on bowls of steamed rice or incorporated into rice-based snacks like onigiri, offering an added layer of flavor, texture, and nourishment.

Does Furikake Taste Fishy?

While furikake does typically contain dried fish and nori seaweed, its taste isn't overwhelmingly fishy. Instead, expect more of a salty, umami flavor (think miso soup rather than canned sardines). So if you're not into strong fish flavors, you might still find furikake a welcome addition to your pantry.

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The Role of Mishima Foods in the Furikake World

It's hard to discuss furikake without mentioning Mishima Foods. As a top furikake company, Mishima Foods has played a substantial role in popularizing this seasoning and expanding the range of furikake flavors. By honoring tradition while embracing innovation, the company has helped introduce the delightful world of Japanese furikake to food enthusiasts globally.

Whether you're a gastronomic adventurer or simply looking for an easy way to spruce up your meals, furikake is a must-try. This quintessential Japanese seasoning, with its unique flavors, textures, and nutritional benefits, is all set to elevate your dining experience. Discover the vibrant world of furikake today.

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7 Things You Need to Know about Furikake (2024)

FAQs

7 Things You Need to Know about Furikake? ›

You bet! Furikake is packed with calcium, making it an excellent choice for addressing calcium deficits. Plus, the seasoning provides a good source of vitamins like vitamin D, while the nori offers a beneficial dose of iodine. Furikake is also a source of protein, contributing to a balanced diet.

Is furikake healthy to eat every day? ›

You bet! Furikake is packed with calcium, making it an excellent choice for addressing calcium deficits. Plus, the seasoning provides a good source of vitamins like vitamin D, while the nori offers a beneficial dose of iodine. Furikake is also a source of protein, contributing to a balanced diet.

How many types of furikake are there? ›

As a unique type of Japanese seasoning furikake comes in a wide range of flavours, including wasabi furikake (with dried wasabi as a main ingredient), nori komi furikake (containing tiny pieces of seasoned nori seaweed), shiso furikake (made from seasoned, dried, and crushed red perilla leaves), and salmon furikake ( ...

What is the purpose of furikake? ›

These days furikake is, broadly speaking, a mixture of sesame seeds, seaweeds, herbs, fish flakes, and salt that derives its name from the Japanese term for sprinkles. It's commonly served on bowls of steamed rice and pressed into rice-based snacks like onigiri for another layer of flavor, texture, and nourishment.

Should you refrigerate furikake after opening? ›

The latter is commonly used when making onigiri rice balls for bento box lunches, as the mixed rice remains tasty even after the rice cools down. Furikake are further categorized into dry types, which have a long shelf-life, and soft, moist varieties, which typically require refrigeration after opening.

How to tell if furikake is bad? ›

Checking furikake freshness can be tricky because it doesn't spoil in the typical sense. However, its quality deteriorates. You need to look for signs like color fading, dull aroma, and decreased flavor intensity. If it has absorbed moisture and clumps together or develops an off odor, it's time to toss it out.

Is there MSG in furikake? ›

Furikake usually consists of mysterious flavor pellets (MSG) in shocking colors that mimick salmon, chicken and other kinds of protein, tiny strips of nori and sesame seeds.

What is the most used furikake? ›

Nori and sesame seeds furikake: This classic combination is one of the most common furikake options, offering a simple yet delicious flavor. Katsuobushi and nori furikake: Another popular choice is bonito and nori furikake which is a staple in many Japanese households and a quick way to add some umami to your meals.

Why does furikake taste so good? ›

Furikake and Umami

"The bonito flakes add umami [and] nori seaweed brings a mix of salty and savory tastes, while the sesame seeds offer nuttiness and added crunch," says Cheung. According to Taing, each of those ingredients contributes to the umami magic—but it's the amalgamation that delivers.

What does furikake translate to? ›

Well, the name comes from furi kakeru , which is a Japanese verb that means “to sprinkle over.” Makes sense, right? Many English speakers also know furikake as rice sprinkles, so it all adds up.

What goes well with furikake? ›

The rice and the furikake alone is delicious but you will want to use this as a base to add protein, fiber and veggies to make a complete meal. We will typically top the rice with things like edamame, cubed raw or pan-fried tofu, a fried egg or jammy boiled egg, and grilled veggies.

Who invented furikake? ›

One account of the origin of furikake is that it was developed during the Taishō period (1912–1926) by a pharmacist in Kumamoto prefecture named Suekichi Yoshimaru (吉丸末吉).

Is expired furikake safe? ›

Expired Date Offer – Furikake

Food that has passed its best before is safe to eat, but the flavour and texture may change over time. Use your own common sense and preferences to assess it.

Is it okay to eat seasoned seaweed everyday? ›

Nonetheless, if you consume seaweed regularly, there is the potential for heavy metals to accumulate in your body over time. If possible, buy organic seaweed, as it's less likely to contain significant amounts of heavy metals.

Can too much seasoning be bad for you? ›

Although the main purpose is to create a sweet taste, less toxic, using too much seasoning can cause metabolic disorders, especially for pregnant women and children under 3 years old.

How much iodine is in furikake? ›

A little bit of seaweed goes a long way, 5 nori sheet contains around 110 ug of Iodine – so a little sprinkle of Furikake here and there can go a long way! a little bit of iodine goes a long way, for some people they may need to limit their iodine absorption so if you are unsure, speak to your health professional and ...

Does furikake have a lot of sodium? ›

Furikake tastes salty in part due to the seaweed and, in non-vegan versions, fish flakes. But it isn't necessarily high in sodium. It really depends on the brand. JFC Shiso Fumi Furikake Rice Seasoning, which has salt among its ingredients, contains a whopping 2,290 milligrams of sodium per tablespoon.

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