Furikake - (振り掛け)

What Exactly is Furikake (振り掛け)? I recently discovered a Japanese food I never knew existed: Furikake (振り掛け). At first, I thought it was just a dish on its own, but after watching more cooking shows, I learned otherwise!

Furikake (振り掛け) actually means 'sprinkle over' in Japanese, which makes sense because it's a savory condiment sprinkled over foods like rice, fish, and vegetables. There are many variations of Furikake, with ingredients like dried fish, salt, sugar, nori (dried seaweed), toasted sesame seeds, dried egg, and herbs.

While the ingredients can vary, two key components are often present: chopped nori and dried fish. What they all share is a delicious umami flavor. Most versions of Furikake also include salt, sugar, and MSG, which help to enhance and balance the taste.

Is There A History Behind Them?

Furikake (振り掛け) was first developed during the Taisho era (1912-1926), at a time when the Japanese diet was low in calcium. To address this, a pharmacist from Kyushu created furikake (振り掛け) to sprinkle over rice and boost nutrition.

The original recipe was made from ground dried fish bones, nori flakes, and toasted sesame seeds. It was even given to Japanese soldiers during World War I to help provide extra nutrition. Over time, furikake (振り掛け) became popular with both adults and children, but today it’s a family staple. There are even spicier versions designed with grown-ups in mind!

So What Are The Health Benefits of Furikake (振り掛け)?

The nutritional value of furikake can vary depending on the ingredients used. However, one thing to keep in mind is that due to its salt content, it may not be the healthiest option if consumed in large amounts.

Here Is A Quick And Easy Recipe For You To Try It Out At Home!

Our recipe shout out goes out to Just One Cookbook! To check out their yummy recipe, Click Here!

Dōzo omeshiagarikudasai!! (enjoy your meal!)