＊You can also read this article in Korean and Taiwanese. Please click on the links below.와사비: 너무 매워서 생각을 멈출 수 없는 신비한 일본 음식!芥末是什麼？這種神秘的日本食物辣得讓你無法停止思考！Go to Featured Articles Top PageWasabi: The Mysterious Japanese Food That's So Spicy You Can't Stop Thinking About It!What is Wasabi?This article delves into your knowledge of wasabi, exploring its fascinating aspects and sharing the best ways to enjoy its unique flavor, along with recommendations for the best restaurants that serve real wasabi.Wasabi is well-known in Japan, and it has been embraced by people of all ages. It is also said that when someone hears the word wasabi, she or he will automatically link it to Japan. Wasabi is known for its nose-tickling taste which is loved by many and hated by the rest. Therefore, what is wasabi anyway?Actually, the history of wasabi as an ingredient does not originate in Japan but in China. It has, however, been discovered that in the Chinese Zhou dynasty (11th century) , turning mustard seeds into powder for foods was in practice. It was common for the people in the royal palace to employ mustard as an herbal medicine; therefore, it is not surprising that such a high-class ingredient existed at that site. Still, this kind of mustard was yellow in color, whereas the typical green mustard is actually made from the root of the wasabi plant. Because the plant wasabi is actually cultivated in poor weather where there are cold mountain streams and requires 3 years before harvest, this type of plant was not cheap, being more expensive to grow than most crops.Wasabi’s Spicy but Delicious FlavorYou may have experienced something similar: when wasabi is close, its strong, sharp scent can be overwhelming, causing a choking spiciness. It can be so intense that it makes you squint, sneeze, or even tear up. This suffocating spiciness is quite a common trait among mustard such as isothiocyanates, which gives it a lot of sensation in some food, even now Japan has so many high-class wasabi remove it out on grind and eat, some must be taken after preparation within 15 minutes for the optimum taste!So here is the question: why is such a choking flavor so popular in Japan?It is noteworthy that in every sashimi and sushi related dish, which does not require any heating, the Japanese people have an inclination towards using wasabi as one of the spices. This is due to the fact that wasabi as a seasoning does not dominate the flavor of fresh fish but counteracts the greasiness and fishiness of the meals and rather helps incorporate the taste of these meals.Also because Japan was an island country with limited resources, there were not as many seasonings to choose from, and also there were no sophisticated modern mechanical utensils to cook with, and the art of seasoning food was not as advanced, as it is now, so wasabi, as a seasoning, became this cultural custom, passed from generation to generation as a mark of cultural essence of Japanese cuisine. On the other hand, in China, which is rich in supplies and has made great progress in cooking styles, wasabi is less common, and many Chinese who travel to Japan and eat wasabi for the first time cannot adapt to the scorching flavors of wasabi. There is also green or yellow wasabi that is used for coloring up the plate and that is good for presentation too.Wasabi and CuisineThe popularity of wasabi in Japan means that it is frequently used in Japanese cuisine. Wasabi is often paired with traditional dishes such as sushi and seafood, including sashimi, shrimp, crab, oysters, and more. Wasabi also helps promote the freshness of raw ingredients, masking fishy smells and fat.Not limited to Japanese cuisine uses fresh fish ingredients, actually if you visit a Japanese Yakiniku restaurant, you will find wasabi is also used as a dressing or marinade for such meats that when grilled are even more delectable. So, be sure to visit a proper Yakiniku establishment which serves grilled meat with wasabi; it’s an experience unlike any other. You can find the best Yakiniku restaurants from here!Enjoy Premium Wagyu with Japan's Unique Style of Yakiniku!Even so, it would be a mistake to believe that wasabi is a one cuisine sort of cooking ingredient, it must be used to gain the enhancement in other cuisines too. For instance, although this spice is not very popular in the West, it can easily be added to burgers, hot dogs, and French fries enhancing their spice level. But, it is worth pointing out that yellow mustard in many cases can be found in such kinds of fast foods, and although it is a kind of wasabi, it is different from the green wasabi often seen in Japanese cuisine which we covered in the previous points.You can find the best steakhouse from here!Japanese Steak: Indulge in Authentic Japanese Steak in Its Homeland!Furthermore, the taste of wasabi can be well incorporated into all kinds of sauces which can be used in dishes such as salads and pasta. For instance, a salad, a cream sauce, or sauces for seafood can all be combined with wasabi, and this could improve the taste of the dish.You can find the best Italian restaurants from here!Italian Restaurant in Japan: Discover the Unique Evolution of Italian Cuisine!Effectiveness of WasabiIn addition to its unique flavor, wasabi has many beauty and health benefits as an ingredient, which is one of the reasons why it is so popular in Japan.First of all, the beauty benefits of wasabi should not be underestimated. Wasabi boosts our body's basic metabolism, improves blood circulation, and helps us control our weight. In addition, it also indirectly helps our skin to stay in good condition, helping us to improve our skin tone and making our skin look clearer and more radiant. That's why some Japanese beauty and skincare products are specifically labeled with the use of wasabi, as its antimicrobial properties can help cleanse the skin and reduce the formation of acne and pimples.So don't be surprised if you see women in Japan dipping a bunch of wasabi into their food - one bite might make them twice as pretty!Naturally, the health benefits of wasabi apply to all, not just women. It can produce saliva, stimulate generation of gastric juices that help you digest food. And like said before, wasabi limits the growth and multiplication of bacteria because it possesses antimicrobial properties that can possibly stop certain types of foodborne illness or poisoning. Wasabi also contains properties that can help open up blood vessels, which is great for our heart.Also, keep in mind we just stated that a lot of what makes wasabi so amazing is from something called isothiocyanates. Now, while it might not have the best aroma for our nasal passages and odor detection system, it's actually very good for our body. In addition to protecting against cavities, this flavorful additive is a powerful defense against cancer, blood vessel clots and asthma. In addition, wasabi is one of the therapies such as sweating, diuretic, detoxification and blood cleaning. Therefore, when you next use wasabi, remember the health benefits of it!Where to Taste Authentic WasabiNow that you know all about it, can't wait to taste your first wasabi? Where can you taste it?Your first option is definitely a Japanese restaurant, preferably those in Japan. One of the most common ways for you to find freshly ground wasabi is in most Japanese restaurants, especially sushi and sashimi shops. The best sushi restaurants are listed at the end of this article!Furthermore, it is similar to Japanese food markets and supermarkets. Places like these will provide a wasabi preparation or wasabi paste we can hand-select to personalize for our taste into a meal. In addition, in large supermarkets there are many wasabi seasoning manufacturers or wasabi pastepar, the price of which is from high to low, and you can choose according to your taste and budget.Another option is to visit a local specialty store in Japan, like Shizuoka or Nagano which are famous for producing high-quality wasabi, the product ingredient of wasabi. You can purchase fresh wasabi from local gourmet stores.Lastly, wasabi has a peculiar flavor that also has health benefits but for the first time eating, especially people with allergic constitutions, dipping a little bit of wasabi into the dish and see if you can tolerate the unique taste or not should be more applicable. Then, you can think about increasing your consumption of wasabi.What to Do If You Accidentally Consume WasabiLast but not least, in case you eat wasabi by mistake and feel bad about it then don't worry, we have some tips to get rid of the taste of wasabi.Hydrating or gargling your throat by drinking purified or plain water, or gargling with water, can assist to dilute the hot ingredients in mustard. Also, drinking a few extra sips of water may ease the discomfort in the throat.Drink milk or yogurt. Dairy products, like milk or yogurt, can neutralize in your mouth and provide comfort.Eat starchy foods. When consumed along with starchy foods, the sharp pungency in wasabi may be absorbed as well as neutralized. The irritating choking tendency of wasabi is likewise lessened.Avoid other harsh foods. We advise you also not to throw gasoline on the fire, if you have already consumed wasabi! Do not eat the same irritating things again, such as chili sweet and sour hot fried food and so on, which will provoke the pain due to wasabi.Get medical attention immediately. If you get no relief after a while, or if you are suffering from more serious symptoms like allergic reactions including a sore throat, trouble breathing, or a rash, please resort to the doctor as soon as possible.Here are Top Sushi Restaurants Where You Can Enjoy the Best WasabiIn Japan's high-end sushi restaurants, artificial wasabi is rarely used. Instead, the finest quality wasabi is usually grated fresh on the spot. If you want to try real wasabi, be sure to visit a renowned sushi restaurant and enjoy it alongside their signature sushi and Sashimi.About the WriterThe writer is a graduate student currently studying in Japan, where they have been living for three years. With a passion for onigiri and anime, they share unique insights and experiences that highlight the richness of Japanese culture and cuisine.
