The Ultimate Guide to Japanese Rice Toppings


Rice is a staple of Japanese cuisine and culture and is utilized in both cooking styles which are Western-influenced cooking known as Yoshoku and traditional Japanese cooking known as Washoku. Some of the most common rice dishes in Washoku are rice balls or onigiri and sushi. As for Yoshoku, common dishes that utilize rice as the key ingredient are curry rice and omurice. Rice acts as a great canvas when creating a complete dish, but one of the greatest things about high-quality rice is that it can easily stand on its own or be consumed with a delicious rice topping to add a boost of flavor.

Rice topping is a savory condiment from Japan that is typically in a powder form known as furikake or paste-like form known as tsukudani. They are made with fresh seaweed, vegetables, or fish and flavored with natural spices, soy sauce, or miso for added umami flavor. Adding this condiment to a bowl of rice is the easiest and most simplistic way to enjoy it, but it can also be used as a garnish or ingredient for other dishes including pasta, pizza, sandwiches, meat, and more.

Furikake is a powdered rice topping that dates back to the early 1900s in Japan at a time when the concept of “umami” was discovered. It was originally created with an intent to help those with calcium deficits and was made from a combination of roasted sesame seeds, seaweed, poppy seeds, and fish bones. It gained popularity post-war and became a part of a mass production to be distributed and sold all over the country. In recent times, furikake has become a popular condiment outside of Japan and considered a health food as it is a great source of vitamins and minerals.

Tsukudani is a paste-like rice topping that originated from Tsukudajima, now known as Chūō, Tokyo during the Edo period. It was first crafted with seafood as the main ingredient, as it was a popular and easy side dish for fishermen to make while out at sea. Small fish were preserved in salt water, but the salt water was eventually replaced with soy sauce and other ingredients for added flavor. Now, there are many forms of tsukudani aside from fish as the main ingredient such as seaweed and vegetables.

RICE&: Rice Toppings by Kuze Fuku & Sons include four unique flavors of Enoki Mushrooms in Savory Umami sauce, Enoki Mushrooms with Seven Japanese Spices, Garlic Miso Rice Topping, and Nori Seaweed Spread. These rice toppings are made in a paste-like or tsukudani form and crafted from fresh enoki mushrooms and seaweed, along with authentic flavors of soy sauce, miso, and Japanese spices. Each topping features a bold flavor that will add richness and umami to every dish. Make Kuze Fuku & Sons Rice Toppings a part of your kitchen staple to enjoy traditional Japanese flavors with your meals at home.

 


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