Semiserious Chefs

Shichimi Togarashi – 七味唐辛子 – means ‘seven spice blend,’ but it’s funny that if you break down those syllables a little you end up with Shi chi mi togarashi -しちみ とがらし – ‘scrubbing.’ Perhaps this tingly, spicy blend helps to scrub your innards? I don’t think so. I just found it an interesting aspect of […]

Yes, if you are a food buff you probably already know that tebasaki chicken wings are a particularly common dish found in and around Nagoya, Japan. If you know any Japanese you probably know that tebasaki, (or debesaki) 手羽先, translates specifically to ‘chicken wings.’ With this in mind, I understand if you find my use […]

There are a few of us out there that absolutely crave the savory flavor combination you get on a good Everything Bagel. But why does it only come on a bagel? What if I want an Everything Pork Chop? What about a loaf of Everything Bread? (Mix this seasoning (unsalted) right in with your dough […]

Having worked on 6 furikake recipes before this one, I am surely getting the hang of flavors and styles by now. As great as it is to replicate existing ideas, it’s also nice to come up with something your own, as it pertains to your personal preferences and region. That being said, there isn’t much […]

There are several names and styles for this kind of furikake. First, shiso, perilla, and beefsteak plant are all the same thing. It is a member of the mint family, with green to dark purple tooth-edged leaves. It has a very strong mint-basil flavor, with definite pepperiness and a bitter undertone. It can also be […]

This punny recipe came about with my desire to learn new uses for African and Asian yams. When I say yam, you probably think of those dark orange sweet potatoes they sell in most every US market. They are, in fact, exactly that, sweet potatoes. I know, this is where you say, “No, no, no! Sweet […]

This is the most basic of Furikakes. Simply unhulled sesame seeds and salt. It has been used in Japan for thousands of years over rice, fish, and a multitude of other dishes, but has gained some more recent fame as a lower sodium substitute to straight salt. Using a ratio anywhere from 15:1 to 5:1 […]

This Furikake, or rice seasoning containing sesame seeds and salt, is entitled ebi fumi, for shrimp flavor. Both one of the sweeter and crunchier furikake, this recipe is quite easy to make. I always appreciate a home made furikake over store bought. Not only for it’s drastic price difference, but also because there are so many […]

This incredibly easy to make recipe is a fan favorite of both adults and children. It doesn’t require very many ingredients, all easy to come-by, or any special equipment. …Although using a dolsot or ddukbaegi pot sure is fun! The name Bulgogi (불고기) comes simply from the Korean’bul’ for fire and ‘gogi’ for Meat. You […]

Yasai Fumi Furikake is also known as veggie furikake. As yasai fumi means ‘vegetable flavor,’ it’s a wonderful way to take those otherwise nearly indistinguishable ‘healthfood’ vegetable chips, and turn them into something tasty. Now there are two common varieties of these vegetable snacks. For this recipe I used the vegetable chips, but one could […]