Shichimi togarashi (Japanese seven-spice)

七味唐辛子 / shichimi tōgarashi

Flavor and role

A Japanese blend of seven ingredients, such as chili flakes, sansho, dried citrus peel, sesame, hemp seeds, nori and ginger. It adds aroma and flavour more than heat.

Typical dishes and uses

Udon, soba, gyudon, yakitori, tonjiru, ramen topping. In this book: sprinkle on teppan yakisoba and oyakodon.

Substitutes

1 tsp shichimi = ½ tsp chili flakes + a pinch of sansho + ¼ tsp sesame seeds + a little orange zest. Ichimi (chili only) can also replace it.

Storage

Sealed in the fridge, the aroma lasts 3-6 months. At room temperature the sesame and citrus peel aromas fade quickly.

Main countries

Japan

Used in this book

Gyudon (Japanese Beef Bowl)Kitsune UdonYakitori (Chicken and Leek Skewers with Tare)Miso Butter Shiitake Älplermagronen (Swiss × Japanese)Nikkei Ají de Gallina Udon with Dashi and Soft-Boiled EggAmatriciana Udon (Italian × Japanese)Miso-sesame baba ganoushBacalhau Brás Tamagotoji Don (Japanese Egg-Drop Rice Bowl)Miso Bolognese UdonGarlic Chip Soy-Butter Saikoro Steak Rice Bowl (Japanese × American)Miso Butter Elote with Aonori and KatsuobushiAonori Tempura Fish and Chips with Ponzu MayoMiso-Butter Salmon Foil-YakiMiso French Onion UdonMiso and Negi Gratin Dauphinois (French × Japanese)Wasabi-Miso Guacamole with Sesame Gyoza ChipsSukiyaki-Style Gyudon with Onsen EggGyudon Rice BurgerRestaurant-Style Juicy Karaage with Spring Onion PonzuLemon-Mayo Karaage OnigirazuJapanese Sesame Soy Milk Cold Soba (Kongguksu × Soba)Miso Kabocha Locro (Argentine × Japanese)Molokhia Garlic-Butter SobaJapanese Miso Butter Shiitake RisottoMiso Eggplant Cheese ToastMiso-Glazed Oden SkewersOyakodon Egg SandoTeriyaki Sausage Sizzle with Japanese Mayo and NoriDashi Shabu-Shabu with Homemade Ponzu and Egg ZosuiMiso Shchi with Pork Belly and TofuSukiyaki Egg & Cheese ToastShrimp Tempura OnigirazuMiso Cream Chicken and Shiitake Vol-au-vent (Belgian × Japanese)Charcoal Yakitori Duo: Salt Negima and TsukuneYakitori Tacos with Lime Slaw and Shichimi Mayo

Updated 2026-10-10