212-302-0707

108 West 44th Street, NYC
(bet. 6th Ave. & Broadway)

Copyright 2006 Sushi Zen, Inc.

Wasabi [Eutrema wasabi]

Wasabi is a native Japanese plant found around clear spring water. Shogun Iyeyasu Tokugawa (1543-1616) started cultivating wasabi in 16th Century and spread the method all over Japan. Its root is grated to be used as a condiment for sushi, sashimi or soba noodle. Its distinctive pungent taste is a result of enzyme action. It has been widely used when eating raw fish because of its effect of killing germs and parasites. It is said that wasabi also helps digestion. Wasabi powder is commonly used, but is a substitution made from dyed horse radish. The term "hon-wasabi" is used to distinguish the real one from the substitutions. As you have guessed it, hon-wasabi is available at Sushi Zen.


A root of wasabi and a wasabi grater made with shark skin.