How to make your own furikake at home [shrimp & bonito flavor recipe!]
When it comes to Japanese seasoning, furikake is the one you should try next!
If you like to sprinkle flavorful condiments on your rice, vegetables, meat, or seafood, then this umami-flavored seasoning is sure to please.
It’s so flavorful, people eat their steamed rice just with some furikake on top. So let’s try making this, shall we?
There are plenty of recipes when it comes to making a furikake recipe. As you can see, furikake seasoning is simply a combination of different flavors and ingredients.
So, you can personalize your furikake with the ingredients you prefer and like and give it a tasty, salty, sour, or spicy flavor.
Now let’s talk about how to make furikake at home. My version of homemade furikake seasoning includes a medley of ingredients, such as leftover bonito flakes (katsuobushi), roasted seaweed, sesame seeds, and more.
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Homemade Furikake recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tbsp dried shrimp
- ¼ cup bonito flakes
- 3 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 tbsp dried seaweed
- 1 tbsp dried salmon or anchovies
- soy sauce optional to taste
Instructions
- Take a dry frying pan and put it over high heat
- When the pan is properly heated, put the sesame seeds and toast until they produce a bit of smoke and a roasted aroma (say about 1 minute).
- Transfer the roasted sesame seeds into a bowl.
- Take the seaweed and crumble it into the bowl of roasted sesame seeds. If your seaweed isn’t crusty and crisp, toast it for about 30 seconds over the frying pan. Make sure that you don’t burn it.
- Now, into the bowl, sprinkle bonito flakes, dried shrimps, and dried salmon (or anchovies – whatever you have or like).
- Toss it well so the mixture forms well.
- Next, season the mixture with sugar and salt. You can reduce or increase the quantity of both sugar and salt according to your requirements. If you want, you can also add a few drops of soy sauce for an additional tangy flavor.
- Transfer the mixture into an airtight jar. This will keep the flavor intact for a month or two. I would recommend that you use it within a month of preparation to avoid any contamination.
Video
Notes
My favorite ingredient to use is:
Check out all of my favorite ingredients here
Additional ingredients you can add
When it comes to Japanese seasoning furikake is great because it is customizable to suit your tastes. You can take out or add in whatever other condiments you want. It’s more than a simple rice seasoning.
Not sure what to add? Check out this shortlist and maybe you’ll feel inspired to take your furikake seasoning mix to the next level.
- shiitake powder (about 2 tsp) (you can toast the powder with sesame seeds)
- dulse (aqua veggies) (about 1 tbsp)
- black sesame seeds
- bonito flakes (1-3 tsp)
- kelp powder
- red chili pepper flakes
- miso powder (1 tsp)
- dried shiso leaves (about 2 tsp) (also sold as dried red shiso)
- wasabi powder (only a quarter or half a teaspoon)
You can, of course, use other ingredients too but these ones are traditional Japanese ones.
Are you too busy to make your own? Find out the best furikake brands to buy here.
How do you use furikake?
Originally, furikake was mainly used as a seasoning for rice dishes.
But these days, you’ll see furikake used as a topping on all kinds of foods. Japanese people are quite creative in the kitchen.
Here are some ways you can use furikake:
- for onigiri
- as part of a dipping sauce
- sprinkled over rice
- sprinkled on sushi
- on eggs
- sprinkled on avocado toast
- on steamed or roasted vegetables
- in stir-fries
- for fish or smoked salmon
- sprinkled on tofu
- sprinkled over ramen
- on poke bowls & sushi bowls
- sprinkled on salads
- on egg salad
- over tuna salad
- sprinkled on all kinds of noodles
- on meat and veggies for yakiniku Japanese barbecue
- as a popcorn topping
Honestly, you can sprinkle this on your favorite comfort food or dish to make it tastier.
How about trying it on the ultimate comfort food: Zosui Japanese rice soup
Takeaway
Next time you make rice balls, onigiri, or you feel like your food tastes a bit bland, take some furikake seasoning and sprinkle it on top. You’ll be surprised by the salty and fishy flavor that doesn’t overpower the food but adds a pleasant crunch.
Since this rice seasoning is available online and in most Asian grocery stores, you should have no problem finding it and I promise you’ll love it.
You can even use it as a topping for your popcorn for movie night! Don’t be afraid to experiment with this versatile seasoning.
Read next: these are the best Okonomiyaki Toppings and Fillings
Check out our new cookbook
Bitemybun's family recipes with complete meal planner and recipe guide.
Try it out for free with Kindle Unlimited:
Read for free
Joost Nusselder, the founder of Bite My Bun is a content marketer, dad and loves trying out new food with Japanese food at the heart of his passion, and together with his team he's been creating in-depth blog articles since 2016 to help loyal readers with recipes and cooking tips.
