Glossary · 山葵 · わさび · wasabi
Wasabi
Wasabi is the pungent green condiment served with sushi — but most 'wasabi' (outside Japan, and at plenty of spots inside it) is dyed horseradish, not the real rhizome.
Real wasabi (Wasabia japonica) is a rhizome grated fresh to order, usually on sharkskin. It’s expensive and fleeting: the heat blooms in the nose, then fades within minutes, and it’s more aromatic and almost sweet compared with the blunt burn of horseradish.
Here’s the open secret: most “wasabi” is faked — a paste of Western horseradish, mustard and green dye — because the real thing is costly and perishable. At a serious counter the chef tucks a little real wasabi between the fish and rice for you, which is another reason not to stir extra into your soy.