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Seaweed is considered an integral part of the Japanese diet and is widely used in Japanese cuisine. There is a range of potential health benefits to seaweed, including its concentration of fiber and minerals, all while staying low in calories. Seaweed is also one of the 7 food categories of Japanese healthy eating "mago wa yasashii". There are many varieties of seaweed products to choose from in Japan, and many ways to use them. Here we will explore some of the most popular varieties of Japanese seaweed, and how they may be beneficial for your diet.
We also have many articles covering Japanese food including natto, tofu, tsukemono, nabe, and more. To learn about food additives and nutrition labels, please check the following articles: "Food Additives in Japan: Everything You Need to Know" and "How to Read Japanese Nutrition Labels". If you would like to explore Japanese cuisine by cooking some dishes, please check "Free English Websites for Japanese Food Recipes".
Seaweed simply refers to the wide range of marine plant life that grows in various bodies of salt water. It can be in the form of algae or marine-based plants. Edible seaweed is also sometimes referred to as sea vegetables. Seaweed can be categorized in a number of ways, with one of the most common being by color. These include red, brown, and green.
While seaweed can seem an unusual ingredient for some foreigners who have yet to try the breadth of Japanese cuisine, the ingredient has actually been used throughout history by countries in both the Eastern and Western worlds. For true beginners to the world of seaweed, the best thing to do is to put aside any biases or preconceptions around seaweed and consider it as just another vegetable. Keep reading to learn about the most popular types of seaweed in Japan.
As we have mentioned, there are many varieties of seaweed common to Japanese cuisine. Here we will look at some of the most popular types in Japan.
Nori is perhaps the most well-known type of seaweed outside of Japan. Usually sold in thin dry sheets, it can be used in a range of ways. Nori is the variety of seaweed generally used in sushi and onigiri (rice ball) making, which has led to its popularity overseas. Seasoned nori can also be bought and eaten as a snack, along with nori chips (toasted and salted nori). When cut into small strips, it is also a popular garnish for many Japanese dishes.
Nori is a common starting place for foreigners delving into the world of seaweed — it is somewhat familiar as a part of sushi, it serves as a delicious snack, and seasoned nori such as with salt or soy sauce is familiar and easy to eat.
Wakame is another popular type of seaweed in Japan. It can be bought fresh during the harvesting season, but it is most commonly available dried and is later rehydrated while cooking.
In Japan, this seaweed is often used in side dishes such as seaweed salads. Its light, tender flavor makes it a great addition to side dishes, which aim to enhance the meal rather than taking the spotlight. Wakame is also very low in calories but may help energy levels, and so it is often eaten to aid in weight loss.
Kombu, also known as kelp, is one of the most versatile varieties of seaweed used in Japanese cooking. Mostly harvested in Hokkaido, it is similar to wakame in that it is usually sold dried and later rehydrated.
Kombu is a key ingredient in dashi broth, a base ingredient of many Japanese dishes, including miso soup and ramen. The kombu helps provide the rich umami flavor that makes dashi a real powerhouse of Japanese cuisine. It is also used in osechi ryori as well as in tea and soups; caramelized in soy sauce, sugar, and sake; and used as an accompaniment to rice, salads, and onigiri. Kombu is known to be high in calcium and iron, which helps add to its popularity.
Hijiki is one of the lesser-known varieties of seaweed outside of Japan, but it is very popular in Japanese home cooking. This is a variety of brown seaweed, found along rocky coastlines. It is also sold dried, in a form that looks like small branches or tea leaves.
Much like other seaweed, hijiki must be rehydrated before eating. A popular dish is to simmer it in soy sauce and mirin and serve it as part of a salad. The salad often also consists of carrots, beans, tofu, lotus root and various other ingredients. Hijiki can also be used in soups and stews. It may have similar health benefits to many other types of seaweed, and is believed to be beneficial to hair and skin health.
In contrast to the kombu of Hokkaido, mozuku is almost exclusively harvested in Okinawa. It is sometimes considered a superfood, along with many other Okinawan staples.
Mozuku has a unique stringy texture and is generally served with vinegar as a side dish. It can be bought either prepackaged with the vinegar or unseasoned. In Okinawa, it is also included in a range of other dishes, such as soups, stir-fries, stews, and more.
In Japan, most supermarkets stock a variety of seaweed products, since it is considered a key ingredient in many dishes. Convenience stores also often have a limited range of products. Depending on the type of seaweed you want to buy, you will need to go to different departments within the supermarket, including the refrigerated section (often near where tofu and natto is sold); the fish section, which carries fresh seaweed; and the dry ingredients section, where you can find all forms of dried seaweed, including nori. For a list of international supermarkets in Tokyo, please check this article.
For a more unique experience, there are specialty stores in Japan that focus on creating top-quality seaweed-based foods. These can include nori snacks with different seasonings or dashi broths using different types of kombu, among others.
You can also purchase them online via Amazon Japan.
Anyone who has visited Japan or eaten Japanese food frequently will understand how important seaweed is as a component of Japanese meals. The many varieties of seaweed allow for various tastes and textures to be explored while still using a healthy ingredient. For more information on Japanese ingredients, be sure to check out our comprehensive guides to food in Japan.
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