This popular Japanese spice blend dates back to at least the 17th century and has been used since as a favorite way to add flavor and heat to everything from noodles and rice dishes to grilled meats like yakitori as well as soups and tempuras.
What Is Shichimi Togarashi?
Shichi is Japanese for “seven” and togarashi means “peppers,” hence the name “seven spice” referring to the number of spices (plus nori) typically used in this blend. While many variations exist, shichimi togarashi typically includes red chili peppers, sanshō or sichuan peppercorns, dried orange peel, black sesame seeds, white sesame seeds, ground ginger, poppy seeds and nori (seaweed).
Shichimi togarashi and nanami togarashi are very similar. Both incorporate the same ingredients at slightly different ratios, the main difference being that nanami togarashi uses a higher ratio of orange peel.
How Do You Use Shichimi Togarashi?
Shichimi and nanami togarashi have a wide variety of uses. They’re commonly sprinkled over udon noodles, vegetables, steamed rice, eggs, added to grilled meats, chicken (e.g. yakitori) fish and marinades, used in rubs, soups, tempuras and salad dressings. They’re even sprinkled on popcorn, fries and used to season rice cakes and crackers.
Whether the dishes are of Japanese origin or not, shichimi togarashi is a versatile spice blend that will add life and flavor to a wide range of foods.
Let’s get started!
We’re using red chili flakes, dried orange peel, sichuan peppercorns, black sesame seeds, white sesame seeds, poppy seeds and ground ginger.
For optimal flavor, lightly toast the sesame seeds and sichuan peppercorns in a dry skillet until fragrant, being careful not to burn them. Let them cool completely.
Select some good nori. Though hard to find, I was able to locate high quality Japanese nori (most nori on the market is from China). You only need a tiny bit to make shichimi togarashi but you can use the rest for sushi rolls (my husband’s favorite) or to snack on.
Once completely cooled, place all of the ingredients in a spice or coffee grinder and pulse until coarsely ground (make sure it’s coarse and not powder).
Store in an airtight container. For optimal flavor use within a few weeks.
Nanami and Shichimi Togarashi (Japanese 7 Spice Blend)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons red chili flakes (note: shichimi togarashi is HOT, use less red chili according to your heat preference)
- 1 tablespoon dried orange peel
- 2 teaspoons white sesame seeds
- 2 teaspoons black sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon sanshō or sichuan peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon ginger powder
- 1/2 teaspoon poppy seeds
- 1/2 sheet quality toasted nori , crumbled
Instructions
- In a dry skillet, lightly toast the white and black sesame seeds, sichuan peppercorns and poppy seeds until fragrant, being careful not to burn them. Transfer to a bowl and let them cool completely.
- Place all of the ingredients along with the nori in a spice/coffee grinder and pulse until coarsely ground (be sure it's coarse and not a fine powder).
- Store in an airtight jar. For optimal flavor use within a few weeks.
Frank Wilk says
I made this recipe for the first time in July 2019, and today I’m making a second batch. The first time I needed this blend was for a duck broth soup I was making. I was not familiar with the spice blend so when I put together the ingredients, including learning how to dry orange peel, I bought two different store bought versions as back up. In the end after making the blend, I realized it became the back up for the store bought version which was dead compared to what I got with the completion of this recipe. I settled on this recipe after looking at others because it seemed to be the most promising given the ingredients. Terrific! Thank you!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I’m absolutely thrilled to hear that, Frank, thanks so much for the feedback!
Blether says
There isn’t a “nanami togarashi” in Japan. The Japanese company S&B Foods changed the name for foreign markets, to avoid consumer confusion between shichimi and ichimi, which sound similar.
Again for export markets, they changed the two traditional ingredients, poppy seeds and flaxseeds, out for heat-treated black & white sesame.
The result is ‘nanami togarashi’.
Yvonne Lui says
The Japanese BBQ restaurant I go to offer a herb mix for dipping the grilled meat. Is this mixture can be used that way or it is a marinade blend?
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Yvonne, yes this can absolutely be used for dipping the grilled meat.
Boyd Kobe says
I will definitely try this.sounds so easy!
Thank you for sharing.
Franklin Orosco says
Now it may just be that I didn`t realize it was being used and I was eating it, but I really don`t recall anything being spicy there. I was in and around Tokyo/Yokohama/Fujisawa and near Sapporo up in Hokkaido. Maybe other subscribers can give their input.
Franklin Orosco says
Hello, I am glad to have stumbled onto your recipe. I`ve been trying Japanese dishes lately so I can put this to good use. Funny thing because I lived in Japan for two years and never noticed this at all in stores or restaurants. Other than wasabi, I never came across anything remotely spicy. Thanks to you, I can give this a shot.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Franklin, I’m surprised you never encountered shichimi. Perhaps it’s more common in some regions than others?
Joel Strauss says
When I lived in Japan, I never had udon in a restaurant that wasn’t accompanied by a small wooden bowl filled with shichimi with a tiny wooden spoon to sprinkle it over the noodles. The first time I had udon, I didn’t know the spice level of the togarashi and used about eight of the tiny spoonfuls. The proprietor was kind enough to replace my bowl of udon with a laugh, because I had rendered it inedible. I’m surprised you never came across it. I lived in the Kansai for 17 years and never saw udon served without it!
Nathan Lombough says
I’ve been buying this for years and it never even occurred to me to make my own. I made this last night and the flavor blew me away. Far more flavor than the bought stuff. I won’t be buying it again, I’m making this from now on. Excellent recipe, thank you!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I’m thrilled to hear that, Nathan, thank you!
Nicole Hood says
I love Japanese food and actually just bought this spice the other day at the market! I am excited to make it at home now.
Krista says
I love a good homemade spice! I have to try this out!
Laura Malzahn says
Finally I can make this at home. First experience was at a very nice local recipe. The owner stopped by by to say hello. I told I am stealing this he laughed and said be my guest!!!!!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Lol, Laura, that’s awesome! Happy spice-making! :)
Vikramsinh says
If nori is not available than.
Jackie B says
A year ago today, I was touring in Japan and this delightful seasoning was provided along with a vegetarian meal served by buddhist monks at a “Temple Lodging”. It added so much flavor to the white rice. I never thought to look for it (or make it myself) so I am delighted to see it featured on your site. Thank You!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
That’s terrific, Jackie, and what a great experience, thanks for sharing!
Ann from AK says
OMG! I was there at the same temple! And that’s where I had my first exposure to togarashi, too! Thanks for bringing back such a great memory!
Erin says
I need these in my life!!!
Nutmeg Nanny says
Oh wow! I have to make this! Thanks for sharing!
Katerina @ diethood .com says
This sounds fantastic!! I can’t wait to make it!
Kristen says
Oh I have never heard about this blend but can’t wait to try it! I think it would be great in fish cakes.
Sylvia says
That’s a good idea. Think I will also try that.
I Heart Naptime says
This sounds like a really great combo of flavors! Would be wonderful on grilled chicken.
Tim Wiedman says
This looks outstanding. It has the same ingredients I’m used to from the store-bought stuff I usually get. Really looking forward to making my own, I’ve made several of your spice blends and the flavor is always vastly superior to store-bought. Thanks for this!