Furikake

Furikake is to the Japanese what everything bagel seasoning is to American Millennials.

Furikake nori over rice

Furikake is a Japanese seasoning that is often sprinkled over rice, which is rather fitting because the word “furikake” comes from the phrase “furi kakeru”, which means “to sprinkle over” in Japanese.

At its base, it’s often just salt, sugar, sesame seeds, and nori.

Allison holding a bowl of rice topped with furikake nori

However, many different versions of furikake exist, with all sorts of other dried ingredients mixed in.

Bonito flakes, shiso, salmon, egg, wasabi… if you look at the furikake section in a Japanese supermarket, you’ll see a bunch of different types. The possibilities are endless – and delicious!

Furikake nori over rice

The version we’re making today is on the simpler side of things.

We’re starting with sesame seeds – both black and white. Dry-toast them in a skillet, until they’re nutty and fragrant.

A little salt and sugar to round out the flavors.

And nori for umami.

Allison holding a bowl of rice topped with furikake nori

If your nori is maaaybe just a little old like mine is (you can tell because it’s no longer crisp), you can refresh it by toasting it ever so lightly over a flame. Be careful, and use caution! Just gently sweep it back and forth, keeping your fingers well away from the flame, until it’s crisp again.

You can use a knife to cut the nori into strips if you’d like, but if you have a food processor, it’s much easier to just dump everything in and blend it into small pieces.

Furikake nori over rice

Sprinkle over rice, eggs, fish, chex mix, popcorn, rice krispie treats… the possibilities are endless!

Furikake nori

Recipe from Otaku Food

Ingredients
  • 1/4 cup white sesame seeds
  • 1/4 cup black sesame seeds
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 2 sheets nori
Cooking Directions
  1. Dry toast the sesame seeds in a skillet, until fragrant but not browned.
  2. If needed, lightly toast nori.
  3. Tear nori into pieces, and blend all ingredients together in a food processor until nori is in small bits.
  4. Sprinkle over anything you’d like – but especially rice!

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