Hanamaruki Foods Liquid Shio Koji
A traditional condiment made from fermented malted rice, shio koji is known in Japan for packing a punch of umami into everything from marinated meats to savory soups. All shio kojis aren’t created equal, though, for Hanamaruki Foods distills the powerful flavor properties of this essential Japanese ingredient into an easy-to-use liquid form—the only Liquid Shio Koji available on the market—to create the ultimate pantry secret weapon. We love the condiment’s clean, yet bold flavor: salty rounded out with a pronounced sweetness and burst of umami. It’s made by pressing shio koji in its original paste form and filtering until it yields the clear, golden-hued liquid. The product isn’t heat-treated, so its enzymes remain active and effective in rendering meat remarkably moist and juicy, balancing bitterness in veggies like eggplant and adding amino acids for a full-flavored finish to any dish to truly change the way you cook. Use as a marinade for meats and fish, drizzle into salad dressings and sauces to balance savory flavors, or incorporate into baked goods to add a layer of tantalizing complexity.
Sonoko Sakai Japanese Curry Powder
A deep marigold yellow, this mild, Sonoko Sakai’s Japanese-style curry powder lingers on the palate with notes of warm spices such as cardamom, black pepper and cayenne. Each small batch is made by hand—blending 16 different sustainably-sourced spices (and no artificial additives) to achieve the perfect harmony of tastes. If you stop and savor its deeply-layered aroma, you can nearly identify every ingredient due to the freshness of each spice and seasoning. The sweetness of clove and cinnamon are given a grounded base by the mustard, black pepper and cumin, with earthy and herbal notes shining through with tumeric and coriander. What truly sets this curry powder apart from others, though, is the hint of rich umami brought by infusing the powder with kombu and mushrooms.
Acclaimed cook and food writer Sonoko Sakai developed and fine-tuned this balanced blend over the course of many months, keeping in mind versatility and concentrated flavor. This curry powder is perfect for making traditional curry bricks—the Japanese curry equivalent to bouillon cubes—or adding an aromatic kick to any recipe. Incorporate into a rub for meat, bloom with other aromatics when sauteeing, or perhaps stir into a soup such as our Black Eyed Pea and Tomato Stew. Combine with butter or ketchup to craft a condiment with a kick, or add to entrees like Ed Lee’s Coconut Curry Braised Fish or our Japanese-Style Beef Curry—substituting the curry powder in place of the garam masala.
Suehiro Ponzu Shoyu
Japanese soy sauce brewer Suehiro makes its intense and citrusy Ponzu Shoyu without any added water, so this version of the classic dipping sauce is bursting with a stellar balance of salty, tangy and umami flavors. Traditionally brewed dark soy sauce provides a savory flavor base along with four types of Asian citrus—aromatic yuzu, tart sudachi, bitter orange and mild, sweet yukou—which add a complex tanginess and bright floral-fruity aroma. Mirin, a type of Japanese rice wine, as well as kombu dashi, an umami soup stock, round out the flavor and add body.
Murakami Syouten Crushed Okinawa Brown Sugar
Nitto Jozo White Tamari
Note that while tamari is often used as a term for gluten-free soy sauce, Nitto Jozo’s White Tamari is actually all wheat-based. (In Japan, tamari simply refers to a liquid that is pressed out of another substance—in this case, wheat.) This sauce is malty-sweet and slightly tangy, a great choice for those who want the umami flavor of soy sauce with less saltiness.
Okazu Japanese Miso Chili Oil
A unique, complex take on a traditional Japanese taberu rayu, this deep red condiment has a gently spicy kick from chili powder and a unique nutty richness from the addition of miso. And while umami-laced chili oils and chili crisps are quite popular, Okazu’s use of miso sets it apart from the bunch and adds something unique to its classic Japanese flavor. The creamy miso is salty and savory and complemented by a hint of garlic and, while this isn’t a chili crisp, the addition of white sesame seeds add a textural crunch that reminds us of one. And while many similar, more traditional Japanese chili oils are more straightforward with their flavor, packing a fiery punch, Okazu’s was designed to reveal new layers of flavor as it opens up on the palate—with umami giving way to a pleasant heat.
Miya Company Black Lion Tawashi Palm Brush — Set of 2
A staple in Japanese homes for over 100 years, these traditional tools made from tightly bound palm fibers are used primarily for cleaning fruits and vegetables as well as pots and pans without damaging their surfaces. Each brush is carefully tied and finished by hand and comes with a metal drying hook. The brushes bristles soften slightly when wet and are easily rinsed when you’re done cleaning. And the thing we love most about this brush is the smaller size— not only is it easier to grip, but smaller means it can better reach nooks and crannies. It’s tough on cooked-on food, but gentle enough to use on glass, enamel, nonstick, clay, cast iron and carbon steel surfaces. It can also be used with just warm water to scrub natural clay cookware that generally should not be cleaned with soap (so the soap smell doesn’t get absorbed by the porous clay). We recommend using a wash basin and solid soap (if you need to use soap for dishes and such) to create the best lather. Some discoloration of the dishwater is natural and will wash away cleanly. Set of two.
Yakami Orchard Ginger Ponzu
This is not your everyday ponzu. When one thinks of the Japanese condiment, a dark, heavily soy-based sauce likely comes to mind. But true ponzu is all about the vinegar. This one is made in the Kyoto tradition and uses the sweetness of ginger to ground its vinegar acidity. The blush-colored liquid hits the palate first with the brightness of the rice vinegar, then gives way to the layered, sweet earthiness of tomato and the sour, grapefruit-like flavor of the citrus fruit known as sudachi. A mellow brine of bonito and kombu lies at the base, as well as a hint of malty soy from white shoyu (a variety of soy sauce that uses wheat as its primary ingredient).
Yakami Orchard Tomato Ponzu
This is not your everyday ponzu. When one thinks of the Japanese condiment, a dark, heavily soy-based sauce likely comes to mind. But true ponzu is all about the vinegar. This one is made in the Kyoto tradition and uses the sweetness of ripe tomato to ground its vinegar acidity. The blush-colored liquid hits the palate first with the brightness of the rice vinegar, then gives way to the layered, sweet earthiness of tomato and the sour, grapefruit-like flavor of the citrus fruit known as sudachi. A mellow brine of bonito and kombu lies at the base, as well as a hint of malty soy from white shoyu (a variety of soy sauce that uses wheat as its primary ingredient).
