Buy fresh wasabi stems and leaves
Japanese wasabi leaves are large, heart-shaped and have a wasabi flavour with a mild wasabi heat. In Japan, they’re popular fried in tempura batter - but the leaves are also excellent stir fried, sautéed or boiled with noodles and stews. Real wasabi is a member of the brassicaceae family, which also includes horseradish and mustard, and all parts of the plant have a fresh pungency.
Thinly sliced and dressed with one of our Japanese ponzus, wasabi leaves can make a rich, bold, citrus-dressed salad. Or for more delicate salad dressings, try a sprinkle of salt, some rice vinegar, soy sauce and a quality sesame oil.
Traditionally pickled in sake lees, stems have an excellent crunch with a radish and spring onion flavour when raw - an unusual accompaniment to sushi or sashimi alongside real wasabi paste. A wasabi stem also makes an excellent stirrer for a wasabi Bloody Mary.
Leaves are sent in 250g bunches with stems attached.
Each bunch has 20-40 stems with leaves.