Fab Flakes

Furikake, one of my favorite condiments, looks a lot like fish food—and, in a sense, that's what it is. This umami-packed Japanese pantry staple is made from katsuobushi—skipjack tuna that's been smoke-dried and cured to deepen its flavor, then thinly shaved. The featherlight flakes of fish are combined with toasted sesame seeds and shredded nori, which give the resulting mixture a roasty, rounded crunch. I love to eat it on rice, as is traditional in Japan, but it's also wonderful sprinkled over buttered pasta, scrambled eggs, or any other dish that wants its savory oomph.

Mishima Katsuo Mirin Furikake, $4 for 1.5 oz. at marukaiestore.com

Culture

Fab Flakes

By Karen Shimizu


Published on March 23, 2014

Furikake, one of my favorite condiments, looks a lot like fish food—and, in a sense, that's what it is. This umami-packed Japanese pantry staple is made from katsuobushi—skipjack tuna that's been smoke-dried and cured to deepen its flavor, then thinly shaved. The featherlight flakes of fish are combined with toasted sesame seeds and shredded nori, which give the resulting mixture a roasty, rounded crunch. I love to eat it on rice, as is traditional in Japan, but it's also wonderful sprinkled over buttered pasta, scrambled eggs, or any other dish that wants its savory oomph.

Mishima Katsuo Mirin Furikake, $4 for 1.5 oz. at marukaiestore.com

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