7 Best Tried and True Packs of Wasabi in 2023 (Kameya, House Foods, and More)

Water wasabi can only thrive in the presence of clear water, such as near a running stream or in a valley. Land for its cultivation, even in Japan, is extremely limited. 

Field wasabi, too, has its own conditions; it can only be grown where the air is humid and the temperature cool. Therefore, you could say that real wasabi is a semi-rare and precious food.

When you grate wasabia japonica, it comes out to a pale yellow-green; when you taste it, the spice is elegant, with a clear, refreshing note winding through it. Real wasabi will never overpower a food, but rather enhance its flavors. Therefore, products made from wasabia japonica are in high demand, which has driven prices up.

Wasabi japonica is also cultivated in China; however, if you mean to be picky about flavor, try to stick to Japanese-grown wasabi.

If you do manage to get your hands on real wasabi, make sure of the following as well. For fish such as sashimi or sushi, use wasabi that’s finely grated; for meats, use wasabi that’s more roughly grated.

Western wasabi is made of horseradish, largely grown in the States or Europe. And as you may know, horseradish is a popular spice to be had along with roast beef.

In order to meet the growing demand for wasabi, most of the condiments you see in the supermarket have horseradish in them, even in Japan. Horseradish is about 1.5 times as spicy as real wasabi, and it’s what gives your nose that burning sensation.

Because it’s so strong, if we had a choice, we’d pair it only with meats – that is, foods that are bolder in flavor.

You can also get authentic wasabi made from the real root or products that have had their flavor deepened with the addition of soup stock. 

Tube wasabi varies greatly in both taste and texture, so you should be able to find something you like. If you like a crisp crunch to your wasabi–something you can chew on–you can also find roughly chopped wasabi in a jar.

Wasabi that’s been made into a paste has a relatively short shelf life. To enhance umami, brands also tend to add in salt and other flavorings, so if you’re looking for clean wasabi, make sure you read the ingredients list.

Powdered wasabi’s pretty much guaranteed to be made from horseradish, so it’s going to be spicy. It won’t ever be able to measure up to the full and mellow spice of real wasabi.

However, it contains less extra flavors and keeps for longer. Try getting powdered wasabi if you’re worried about preservatives or you can never seem to finish tubed wasabi before the expiration date. It’s also a great gift to bring or send back to the States for friends and family.