Have you heard of, or seen, Togarashi sauce but are not quite what it is, how to use it, or what it tastes like? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Today, I am going to be walking you through all you need to know about this particular condiment.
So, what is Togarashi sauce? Togarashi sauce is a mild-medium heat Japanese condiment made from a select blend of spices. It is spicy yet sweet in flavor and often served with poke bowls, sushi rolls, and noodles. Creamy variations of this sauce also exist, where mayonnaise is also added.
Togarashi, otherwise known as Shichimi, is a common blend of seven spices.
But it is a specific red pepper (Capsicum annuum) native to Central and South America, that gives this sauce its heat and what Togarashi actually means.
Let us now take a closer look at what this sauce is typically made of, and what you can expect in regard to taste!
What Is Togarashi Sauce Made Of?
Togarashi sauce is made of a unique blend of seven spices; ground red chili pepper, ground Japenese pepper (typically ground sansho), roasted citrus peel (often orange), black sesame seeds, seaweed (nori), and ground ginger.
While different manufacturers and brands have introduced unique spins on the underlying spice mix, this is a sauce that is typically quite consistent and is based routinely on the same ingredients.
For instance, creamy Togarashi sauce introduces mayonnaise.
Whereas, other manufacturers add the likes of oil (such as canola, soybean, sesame), vinegar among other ingredients to provide the consistency required.
What Does Togarashi Sauce Taste Like?
Traditional and typical recipes of Togarashi are spicy, sweet, tangy, savory, and somewhat nutty in flavor. However, some Togarashi sauces taste a little different depending on any other spices or ingredients used.
For instance, Togarashi sauce made with mayonnaise is creamy too. It’s no surprise that this particular variation is called ‘creamy Togarashi sauce’.
Where To Buy Togarashi Sauce?
Togarashi sauce can be purchased in most of the major grocery store chains, Asian markets, and Japenese food stores, along with online. You can purchase either pre-made and prepared sauce, or Togarashi spice mixes to make your own.
For instance, Amazon sells one of the best-selling and popular brands of pre-made Togarashi sauce.
Or you can look for a specific blend of seasoning of Togarashi and follow a recipe to make it into a sauce.
The decision is yours, what is available to you, your preferences and circumstances.
What To Eat Togarashi Sauce With?
Togarashi sauce is very versatile and goes well with a variety of foods and dishes. Although, it is often eaten with poke bowls, sushi, rice, and noodles dishes.
This is just such a well-rounded sauce.
And as a result, you should feel free to experiment and try this spicy sauce with different foods.
Whether you create delicious dips by mixing it in with other sauces, or you use it to finish meat and fish and work with it as a marinade.
Chicken, pork, beef – all such meats are great to marinade in Togarashi sauce before you bake in the oven.
Grilled chicken and steamed white rice is a personal favorite of mine.
Togarashi Sauce Recipe
If you want to make your own Togarashi sauce, then you can do so with the below simple recipe.
This recipe makes a creamy Togarahi sauce based on mayonnaise/greek yogurt. If you are vegan then you can always use veganaise or a similar alternative.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup of Mayonnaise/Greek Yogurt
- 1 Tablespoon of Sriracha
- 1 Teaspoon of Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
- 1/2 Teaspoon of Garlic Powder
- 1 Teaspoon of Orange Zest
- 1/2 Teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
- 1 Tablespoon of Toasted Sesame Seeds
- 1 Tablespoon Seaweed (Nori)
- 1/2 Teaspoon of Sugar
- 1/4 Teaspoon of Salt
Method
Step One: To begin with, you will need to create your Togarashi seasoning. So, in a large bowl mix your red pepper flakes, garlic powder, orange zest, ground black pepper, sesame seeds, seaweed, sugar, and salt.
Step Two: You now need to make your spicy mayonnaise. To do so, in a second bowl, add mayonnaise/greek yogurt and stir in the sriracha sauce. Be sure to whisk it right through.
Step Three: Mix both together, so the Togarashi Seasoning into the spicy mayo/greek yogurt.
Step Four: Taste and add more spices if desired/required depending on preferences.
Step Five: Serve or store away in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks!
Notes
- If you want to save time, you can always purchase Togarashia seasoning, like this from Amazon. This will save you from having to buy all the spices seperately and measuring them out.
Finally
Togarashi sauce is quite delicious.
And it’s generally quite easy to find, or make yourself.
And being so versatile and paired with so many different foods, it’s certainly worth a try.
Whether you do so as a dipping sauce for sushi, a marinade for your meat or just with noodles and rice – if you like spicy sauces – then this one is for you.
Related Questions
What Is Creamy Togarashi Sauce?
Creamy Togarashi sauce is a variant of regular Togarashi sauce. It includes mayonnaise to provide creaminess and thicker consistency. It is still hot, and still uses the 7 signature spices of regular Togarashi.
Want to learn more about Japanese sauces? Then my other guides may be of interest:
Hello, I’m Jeremy, a sauce enthusiast and taste trailblazer! My endless pursuit of new flavors has led me on a journey to master sauce making at home, along with try out a range of exciting brands and sauce offerings. Now I share my recipes, tips and recommendations on WeWantTheSauce to help fellow foodies find the perfect sauces.