This article was co-authored by Ed Kuoha and by wikiHow staff writer, Amber Crain. Ed Kuoha is a Chef and the Owner of Kuoha Culinary based in Aiea, Hawaii. He has more than 20 years of experience in various culinary kitchens and settings such as Morimoto Waikiki, where he received hands-on training from Iron Chef Morimoto. Chef Ed specializes in small catering events and private chef requests. He holds an Associate’s degree from The Culinary Institute of the Pacific at Kapiolani Community College.
There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Wasabi is a flavor-packed condiment eaten with sushi and other Asian meals. This Japanese condiment adds flavor and heat as a base ingredient in sauces and spreads. Making wasabi is easy, and it only takes a few steps with the right ingredients.[1]
Steps
Making Wasabi Paste Using Fresh Wasabi
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1Select a wasabi rhizome. Choose a firm, unwrinkled root with fresh, crisp looking leaves. These rhizomes may not be readily available since they are local only to Japan and are grown in limited areas of Canada and northwestern United States.[2] However, check your local Asian grocery stores and you might be lucky.[3]
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2Remove any leaves from the end of the rhizome by cutting them off with a knife. The leaves do not necessarily need to be discarded – they can be eaten and make a flavorful addition to salads. (You can also dry them to use later.)[4]Advertisement
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3Prepare the wasabi to make it ready to eat. Wash the outside of the rhizome. Trim off any odd bumps or marks. Let the wasabi root air dry.[5]
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4Use a fine grater to shave off the amount of wasabi you want to use.[6]
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5Gather together the grated wasabi. Form and press the wasabi into a ball.[7]
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6Let the wasabi rest for about 10 minutes prior to serving it. This will enhance the flavor.[8]
Making Wasabi Paste Using Genuine Wasabi Powder
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1Mix equal amounts of wasabi powder and water. Use measuring spoons to portion out equal amounts into a small bowl or container.
Keeping wasabi paste fresh
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1Cover the wasabi with a lid.
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2Let the flavors of the wasabi blend together by letting it sit for at least 10 to 15 minutes prior to using.
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3Refresh the wasabi by stirring it and then forming it back into a ball shape. Or, add a small amount of fresh wasabi in with what you've already made.
Storage
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1Store wasabi for a short time. After the flavor peaks, wasabi loses some of its potency the longer it sits.[9]
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2If you have some wasabi left over and need to store it, add a small amount of olive oil to the mixture. Stir it in completely.
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3Replace the lid on the container.
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4Place the wasabi in the refrigerator overnight. The longer you store the wasabi, the more the original robust flavor of the wasabi will diminish.
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5Finished.
Community Q&A
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QuestionHow do I eat sushi rolls?
Community AnswerYou can use chopsticks to eat sushi rolls, but using your hands is acceptable as well. Dip the slice of the roll in soy sauce and wasabi if desired, and enjoy. -
QuestionHow do you make real wasabi?
Drew Hawkins1Community AnswerReal wasabi starts with real wasabi root. They can be tough to find since they're local only to Japan and are grown in limited areas of Canada and northwestern United States. However, you can check your local Asian grocery stores to see if they have any. Once you have wasabi root, wash it off and trim off any odd bumps or marks with a knife. Then, use a fine grater to shave off the amount of wasabi you want to use. Gather the shaved wasabi up and form it into a ball. Let it rest for about 10 minutes before you serve it and there you have it! Fresh, delicious wasabi. -
QuestionCan you get real wasabi in the US?Drew Hawkins1Community AnswerIt can be tough, but yes, you can get real wasabi in the US. Real wasabi may not be readily available since they are local only to Japan and are grown in limited areas of the northwestern United States. Check your local Asian grocery stores to see if they have any. Another option is to order wasabi powder. You can use the dried powder to make real wasabi paste. Use measuring spoons to portion out equal amounts of the powder and water into a small bowl or container. Then, stir it all up until it's thoroughly combined and you'll end up with a thick wasabi paste. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes to help open up its natural flavors. Keep the wasabi fresh by putting it into an airtight container and reforming it back into a ball before you use it.
Warnings
- Wash your hands thoroughly after preparing wasabi. Keep the wasabi rhizome, powder and paste away from your eyes.⧼thumbs_response⧽
Things You'll Need
- Wasabi powder
- Water
- Measuring spoons
- Small bowl or container with lid
- Olive oil
- Spoon
- Wasabi rhizome
- Hand grater
- Knife
References
- ↑ https://www.thedailymeal.com/what-is-wasabi
- ↑ Ed Kuoha. Chef. Expert Interview. 9 November 2021.
- ↑ https://steamykitchen.com/15015-real-fresh-wasabi.html
- ↑ http://www.thewasabistore.com/preparation-storage
- ↑ https://foodal.com/knowledge/herbs-spices/spicy-wasabi-rare-rhizome/
- ↑ Ed Kuoha. Chef. Expert Interview. 9 November 2021.
- ↑ http://marxfood.com/how-to-use-fresh-wasabi/
- ↑ http://marxfood.com/how-to-use-fresh-wasabi/
- ↑ https://www.doesitgobad.com/does-wasabi-go-bad/
About This Article
If you want to make homemade wasabi, you’ll need to buy a wasabi rhizome plant, which may be found at your local Asian grocery store or market. To prepare the wasabi, begin by washing the plant thoroughly and cutting off the stem and leaves. Then, use a fine grater to grate as much wasabi as you need. Finally, form the grated wasabi into a ball using your hands, and let it sit for 10 minutes before serving to enhance the flavor. If you aren’t able to use fresh wasabi, scroll down to find an easy wasabi powder recipe!
