Experience fresh wasabi at its best with this carefully put-together Japanese dining set. It combines a 50g fresh wasabi rhizome with Nama Shoyu Fresh Double Fermented Soy Sauce, a stainless steel wasabi grater, bamboo grater brush and dual-compartment serving dish.
Fresh wasabi is very different from the imitation wasabi commonly found in supermarkets and sushi restaurants. It has a clean, fresh flavour with natural sweetness, earthy and herbaceous notes and a distinctive heat that builds gradually before fading away. Grated fresh at the table, it makes a wonderful accompaniment to sushi, sashimi, fish and meat.
The set also includes a clear preparation guide, making it easy to get the most from your fresh wasabi and grater.
What's included?
50g Fresh Wasabi Rhizome
A fresh wasabi rhizome, supplied as English or Japanese wasabi depending on availability. Fresh wasabi is best grated little and often to enjoy its characteristic flavour and pungency at their peak.
Wasabi Stainless Steel Grater – Small
A practical stainless steel grater designed for preparing fresh wasabi at the table.
Bamboo Wasabi Grater Brush
Used to gather freshly grated wasabi from the grater and mix it into a smooth paste.
Nama Shoyu Fresh Double Fermented Soy Sauce – 150ml
An unfiltered and unpasteurised Japanese soy sauce with an exceptionally rich and complex flavour. Made with premium fermented soybeans and double fermented to develop greater depth, aroma and umami.
Dual Compartment Seasoning & Sauce Dish
A versatile two-compartment dish in natural shades of brown and cream, with a subtle textured finish. Ideal for serving freshly grated wasabi alongside soy sauce, or for sushi accompaniments such as ginger, shichimi and chilli sauce.
Fresh Wasabi Preparation Guide
Our guide explains how to grate and prepare fresh wasabi, along with recipes and ideas for using it beyond sushi and sashimi.
The Fresh Wasabi Starter and Soy Set contains:
Please note: English wasabi may occasionally be substituted with Japanese wasabi when English wasabi is between harvests.
How to pair fresh wasabi
Fresh wasabi is a classic partner for sushi and sashimi, but its uses go well beyond Japanese cuisine. Try it with grilled or roasted fish, steak, ceviche or gravadlax, or add a little to dressings, sauces, butter and mayonnaise. It can even be used in desserts such as sorbets.
The flavour of fresh wasabi
Fresh wasabi has a clean, layered flavour quite unlike powdered or prepared wasabi. Alongside its distinctive pungency, you'll find earthy, sweet and herbaceous notes with a refreshing green character and slight tanginess.
The heat is relatively short-lived compared with chilli. It gradually builds as the freshly grated wasabi is exposed to air, reaches its peak after around 3–5 minutes and then slowly fades. This is why fresh wasabi is traditionally grated little and often, just before eating.
Preparing fresh wasabi
Grating breaks down the cells of the wasabi rhizome, allowing the compounds responsible for its characteristic flavour and pungency to react. For the best experience, grate only as much as you need and serve immediately.
The bamboo grater brush included in the set makes it easy to collect the freshly grated wasabi from the grater and bring it together into a paste.
Storing fresh wasabi
Keep fresh wasabi refrigerated. It will retain its best quality for around 14 days. Fresh wasabi paste can also be frozen for longer-term storage.
For more information, see our Fresh Wasabi Preparation Guide.
