Spice that's nice

September 19, 2007 7:10 AM

What is that Asian spice blend that contains sesame seed, small seaweed flakes, and I'm not sure what else, that they put on the rice at Teasim in DC, and where can I buy it online.

It's some kind of Asian spice blend but google is failing me. All I find is seven spice but that seems to contain chili and this is not spicy. I tried an Asian grocery store but didn't see it. Help me hive mind!

posted by chickaboo to food & drink (17 comments total)

Furikake?
posted by dreadpiratesully at 7:16 AM on September 19, 2007

I Googled for "Japanese seasoning sesame" and got this, which says the name is norikomi furikake. I have the blend you're talking about although this name doesn't ring a bell.

Anyway, try a Japanese grocery store as opposed to a Chinese market, although large Asian groceries often have a little of everything. Look in the Japanese or possibly Korean section. Mine came in a small bottle with a red/orange label and a red cap. There were several versions to choose from (+/- chili, orange peel, etc).
posted by Quietgal at 7:17 AM on September 19, 2007

Tekka

Gomasio
posted by mkultra at 7:21 AM on September 19, 2007

Furikake! that's it.
THank you!
posted by chickaboo at 7:29 AM on September 19, 2007

Though now that I'm actually shopping online for this I see there are about a million kinds of furikake. The one Quietgal found looks sort of dark... oh well. it's hard to tell with these labels.
posted by chickaboo at 7:34 AM on September 19, 2007

Yes there is a huge variety of furikake. On the other hand finding the ones you like could be an interesting new hobby.
posted by gomichild at 8:01 AM on September 19, 2007

if you go out to fairfax on rt 50 stop at Super H Mart and you can buy furikake there.. I think there must be one that's mostly just sesame and seaweed, maybe try that? don't get one with lots of bonito, it tastes really fishy compared to what they use at teaism (i like the rice there too). my favorite is seaweed/sesame/wasabi, personally.
posted by citron at 8:24 AM on September 19, 2007

Check my links. Seriously.

I think Gomasio is probably the one you want.
posted by mkultra at 8:24 AM on September 19, 2007

Sorry Mkultra, I did check, I didn't think they looked quite right. BUt this is impossible to tell from these pictures. I will try to get my boyfriend to take me to Super H (no car).
posted by chickaboo at 8:29 AM on September 19, 2007

If you don't have a car, check out Super H website to order online. Click on English, and search for furikake (or any other product), or here are Results.
posted by jujube at 8:41 AM on September 19, 2007

I was eager to try it until I read this:

Furikake...typically consists of a mixture of dried and ground fish, sesame seeds, chopped seaweed, sugar, salt, and monosodium glutamate.

I will die a happy man when I no longer have to specify "no msg" whenever I order Asian takeout (it triggers violent migraines). I will die a less confused man if someone could just explain why the hell it's considered the norm to dump chemicals on perfectly good food that doesn't come out of a can. I adore most types of Asian food, which makes it all the more confusing -- no chef I know would piss on a pile of msg.

Perhaps it's just the restaurants in my region, though.
posted by middleclasstool at 10:17 AM on September 19, 2007

I will die a less confused man if someone could just explain why the hell it's considered the norm to dump chemicals on perfectly good food that doesn't come out of a can.

1. Because MSG tastes good. Yes, I know it makes some people sick, just like a lot of other perfectly cromulent foods do. Nevertheless, it tastes good. That wonderful flavor is called Umami. You have taste receptors specifically for tasting it.

2. Salt is a chemical, too. Do you dump that on perfectly good food that doesn't come out of a can? Of course you do. Chemicals make the world go 'round. Mmm. Chemicals.

3. no chef I know would piss on a pile of msg. Then you might benefit from getting out and meeting more chefs. Unless you're so anti-MSG that you won't even consider becoming acquainted with a chef that would piss on a pile of it.

The fact is that people who have to specify "no msg" are no different from people who have to specify "no whey," "no wheat," "no tomatoes," "no celery," or no anything else. You have a sensitivity to a certain seasoning that millions of people think tastes delicious. That sucks for you. But you probably shouldn't expect the entire world to adjust its taste based on your sensitivity.

And if you ever get the chance to eat at Teaism in DC, it's well worth the migraine. Oh how I miss it.
posted by The World Famous at 11:06 AM on September 19, 2007 [2 favorites]

In addition to what The World Famous said, glutamate is found in many natural foods, especially seaweed.

Regarding Furikake, I won't eat white rice without it. You should be able to find it in any asian market and at several places on the internet. I have bought it both ways. I have enjoyed trying all the varieties.
posted by jockc at 11:14 AM on September 19, 2007

Ok for those of you following along, I think what they serve on the rice at Teaism must be egg furikake.

The only places I see that sells it are in Japan... so I will keep up the hunt
posted by chickaboo at 12:49 PM on September 19, 2007

If you've ever eaten a mushroom or chicken soup or cheese then you've eaten MSG. Glutamates are a natrual protein found in all animal (and fungus) protein sources. Sodium glutamate (MSG) is a common form of it. Purified MSG is no less natural than refined sugar or cornstarch.

Not to say that it may not cause headaches in some people, but to say it's "unnatural" is a bit of a strech for most people who eat a conventional diet.
posted by bonehead at 12:55 PM on September 19, 2007 [1 favorite]

Free glutamate content of foods (mg per 100g)
Marmite 1750
roquefort cheese 1280
parmesan cheese 1200
soy sauce 1090
walnuts 658
fresh tomato juice 260
grape juice 258
peas 200

Hello MSG in everything! Please read.

My friend Nic came round. He told me about a Japanese restaurant he'd been to that gave him headaches and a 'weird tingling in the cheeks' - until he told them to stop with the MSG. Then he was fine, he said. I nodded and I served him two tomato and chive salads; both were made using the very same ingredients but I told him one plate of tomatoes was 'organic', the other 'factory-farmed'. The organic tomatoes were far better, we agreed. These, of course, were the tomatoes doused with mono sodium glutamate.
posted by junesix at 2:40 PM on September 19, 2007 [1 favorite]

Hurikake, mmm. That stuff's awesome.
posted by divabat at 5:01 PM on September 19, 2007