Week 27: Japanese 7 Spice

/ Appetizer, Kitchen Adventure, Recipe, Side Dishes, Snack, Vegetarian / 9 Comments

One of my favorite sushi restaurants has a spicy edamame appetizer that I’ve been trying (and failing) to recreate for months. I tried cayenne pepper and other spices but there was always something major missing. When I inquired at the restaurant, a server said they use a Japanese spice blend.

Fast forward to last week, when I was browsing the always lovely spice section at Cost Plus World Market (if you’ve never shopped there, check it out – they have great prices and bags of spices if you want to refill your jars) and stumbled upon a spice I’ve never seen before: sansho spice blend. It’s very brief description alluded that it was spicy blend that could be used in Japanese cuisine. The spicy edamame dish immediately came to mind – could this be the secret ingredient? At $1.99/packet, it couldn’t hurt to try.

Also known as Japanese 7 spice or shichimi togarashi in Japanese, the spice blend contains red chili, seaweed, sansho pepper, orange peel, poppy seeds and white and black sesame seeds. It is a popular table condiment in Japan, where it used to add heat and flavor to lots of different dishes from noodles and rice to beef tataki. I added a bit of cayenne pepper for more heat, some granulated garlic and salt and voila! A spicy, flavorful edamame dish, perfect as an appetizer, side dish, or just a healthy snack.

Spicy Edamame

  • 1 lb. edamame
  • 2 1/2 T toasted sesame oil (or olive oil)
  • 2 1/2 T Japanese 7 spice (AKA sansho spice blend)
  • 1 t cayenne pepper
  • 1 t garlic powder
  • 1/2 t salt

Place edamame in large mixing bowl. Add oil and toss to coat pieces (add more if needed). Add the rest of the ingredients and mix together until all pieces are evenly coated. Add more spices or salt to taste.

9 Comments on Week 27: Japanese 7 Spice

  1. Debbie
    July 5, 2010 at 6:18 am (14 years ago)

    These sound great , I’ve never had spicy edamame! I’ll have to keep an eye out for this spice, thanks!

    Reply
  2. Linn @ Swedish Home Cooking
    July 6, 2010 at 2:25 am (14 years ago)

    I love Japanese food but I’m pretty new to cooking Japanese food myself. Thanks for the spice blend tips. I will definitely go and look for it!

    Reply
  3. Lianab
    July 6, 2010 at 3:34 am (14 years ago)

    My daughter will love these, she orders them salted from a restaurant we like but I find them bland – we will both devour these

    Reply
  6. Sue
    October 3, 2012 at 7:03 pm (12 years ago)

    I”m new to edamame; I thought you had to peel them to eat?

    Reply
    • Stephanie
      October 3, 2012 at 7:39 pm (12 years ago)

      @Sue – yes, you don’t want to eat the pod. You can eat them by putting the whole thing in your mouth, squeezing the beans out, then pulling the empty pod back out. That way you get all the seasoning and just eat the beans.

  7. Quynh Nguyen
    March 24, 2013 at 11:19 am (12 years ago)

    Hi Stephanie, thanks for the recipe. My friends brought this appetizer over. and it was delicious!! Photo looks similar and I am trying it tonight! Thanks Quynh

    Reply
  8. Quynh Nguyen
    March 24, 2013 at 11:19 am (12 years ago)

    Hi Stephanie, thanks for the recipe. My friends brought this appetizer over. and it was delicious!! Photo looks similar and I am trying it tonight! Thanks Quynh

    Reply

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