Kizami wasabi is real wasabi in its most texturally exciting form. Rather than grating the rhizome into a smooth paste, the tender stems and leaf stalks of the wasabi plant are finely chopped and seasoned in a shoyu, or soy sauce, base, then kept frozen to lock in their fresh pungency. It is the work of Kinjirushi, one of Japan’s most respected wasabi houses, and it delivers something a paste cannot, bite.

The pleasure here is as much in the mouthfeel as the flavour. Each little crisp fragment pops with a distinct, satisfying crunch before releasing a sharp, clean wasabi heat, that bright, fleeting rush up the nose, all balanced by the savoury, gently salty note of soy. It is fresh, lively and immediate, more nuanced and more interesting than a simple tube of paste.

Its classic use is spooned straight over a bowl of hot steamed rice, a beloved Japanese pleasure, but its versatility runs far wider. It lifts sushi and sashimi, sits beautifully on cold tofu or soba, cuts through the richness of grilled meats and seared fish, and makes a striking modern accent on cream cheese, canapes and carpaccio.

Why choose Sea House Kizami Wasabi?

• Real chopped wasabi. Made from the fresh stems of the wasabi plant, not a reconstituted paste.
• A crunchy texture. Distinct crisp pieces that pop with heat, offering far more character than smooth wasabi.
• Clean, sharp heat. A bright, fresh wasabi kick balanced by a savoury soy seasoning.
• Effortlessly versatile. From hot rice and sushi to grilled meats, tofu and modern canapes.
• Frozen for freshness. Kept frozen to preserve its pungency, ready to thaw and serve, in a 250g pack.