Togarashi Senbei with Yawataya Isogoro’s Shichimi Spice Mix
Shichimi Togarashi is a traditional Japanese 7 spice blend that was created by a druggist who lived in Edo (present-day Tokyo) about 400 years ago.
The spice mix consists of ground red chili pepper and other 6 aromatic spices and is widely known as an essential condiment for Udon and buckwheat Soba noodle soups.
Other than Udon and Soba, we Japanese use Shichimi Togarashi in various ways. For example, many Japanese like to eat miso soup and grilled chicken skewers “Yakitori (焼き鳥)” with the spice mix.
Actually, Shichimi Togarashi works well with various foods as the fact that Japanese Shichimi addicts sprinkle the spice mix over almost any food shows.
Therefore, in Japan, Shichimi Togarashi is also sometimes used as a seasoning for snack foods, like what I purchased this time.
Echigo Seika Togarashi Senbei
I bought the “Togarashi Senbei (とうがらし煎餅)” this time. This product is produced by “Echigo Seika (越後製菓)” Confectionery using Yawataya-Isogoro’s Shichimi Togarashi.
“Yawataya Isogoro (八幡屋礒五郎)” (Google Map) is a long-established spice shop located in the city of Nagano that specializes in Shichimi Togarashi. Its 7 spice blend has about 300 years of history and is known as one of the Japan’s 3 best Shichimi Togarashi.
The product I purchased contains 7 round pieces of Senbei rice crackers. They are individually packed and you can see Shichimi’s tiny red flakes in the plastic bag.
Although regular Senbei rice crackers usually have a light brown color that comes from their main seasoning soy sauce, the color of this Senbei is orange rather than brown due to Shichimi Togarashi.
Taste
Despite that, this Togarashi Senbei isn’t spicy, rather aromatic and flavorful compared to regular Senbei.
This is because Shichimi Togarashi itself is characterized by its slight spiciness and aromatic pleasant scent, and helps make foods a little spicy and flavorful.
Since I have Yawataya Isogoro’s Shichimi Togarashi at home, I put additional Shichimi on the Senbei and enjoyed it!
Ingredients
Finally, according to the ingredient list on the back of the package, this Togarashi Senbei is made with non-glutinous Uruchi rice, soy sauce, chili seasoning, vegetable fat and oil, sugar, powdered chicken extract, red chili pepper, Shichimi Togarashi (red chili pepper, dried citrus peel, sesame seeds, hemp seeds, Shiso, Sansho, ginger), bonito, amino acid, colors (Monascus, carotenoid), and acidifiers.
