Ever since I lived in Tokyo, I've had a taste for it. And I don't just mean the classic dishes with rice, fish or vegetables, but above all the spicy Japanese delicacies. For all those who like it as "hot" as I do, here are the spicy options you have in Japan.
How spicy does the Japanese eat?
In Japan, spicy food is quite common. However, the dishes in the island nation are usually characterized by natural flavors and very fresh ingredients. As a rule, things only get really spicy if desired or with a red chili oil as a garnish, i.e. for gyoza dumplings or ramen. Nevertheless, Japanese cuisine has a lot to offer, especially for spice lovers like me.
Hot and spicy: I love it!
Shichimi is the name of a popular mixture of chili peppers, pepper and other spices. This is often used to spice up soups, noodle and rice bowls. Another hot spice is well-known among sushi fans: Wasabi. The Japanese horseradish is very expensive, however, which is why wasabi is often mixed with other ingredients to make powders or pastes. Here you will find wasabi paste with a content of almost 37 percent. Spicy and delicious! Like us Germans, the Japanese also like classic mustard. Karashi is very similar to wasabi and is eaten with Natto, fermented soybeans, for example. You can also find an article about Natto here on the blog. In addition to the spices mentioned, there are of course countless chili varieties that are eaten in Japan and elsewhere by spice-loving people like me. In my kitchen, almost every dish can use a spicy touch. I love it spicy! Yuzukosho chili paste, for example, goes especially well with fish and meat or even cheese. The spicy heat of chillies is combined with the lemony note of the yuzu fruit. An absolutely delicate fruity-hot mixture!
How do you eat your Japanese dishes? Let me know!
Hugs
Fabian
MYCONBINI tip: If you also like spicy food, browse our new category "Spicy" and let us surprise you. You will find chili oils, sauces and wasabi in different variations.