Bring Home the Flavors of Japan! Trying Out House Foods’ Quick ＆ Easy Seasonings
In Japan, even on the busiest days, home cooks rely on quick and easy seasonings—whether in spice mixes or paste form—to whip up delicious meals in no time. From stir-fry sauces and salad dressings to pasta and rice toppings, there’s a huge variety to choose from, making the “fun of picking” part of the experience. Lightweight and easy to carry, these handy packets also make great souvenirs for travelers.
So Many Flavors to Try! House Foods’ Spice Cooking Series
House Foods is a long-established company with over 100 years of history, best known for classics like “Vermont Curry” and many other long-selling favorites. Thanks to their rich flavors and high quality, their products have been loved in Japanese homes for generations. This time, we’re highlighting some of House Foods’ time-saving seasonings—especially those that aren’t yet widely available overseas.
The Spice Cooking Series features spice blends tailored for specific dishes, so it’s almost impossible to go wrong with seasoning—making cooking a breeze! Perfect for when you want to get dinner ready in no time, they’re also lightweight, easy to carry, and come in plenty of varieties, which makes them an excellent souvenir to bring back from Japan.
Why We Recommend It
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Easy-to-use portions
Each pack comes with two single-use sachets—perfect for one meal. The portioning makes it simple to adjust the amount and ensures nothing goes to waste.
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Versatile in the kitchen
Beyond cabbage, you can use it to season a variety of vegetables, marinate chicken or pork, or add flavor to yakisoba and other stir-fried dishes.
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Reliable quality
Made with carefully selected spices and seasonings, House Foods’ Spice Cooking Series guarantees consistent, delicious flavor every time.
●Snack Cucumbers
With a boost of smoky aroma and chili heat, this mix brings out that irresistible “snack-worthy” flavor. Just toss it with cucumbers for a quick and addictive appetizer. (The smoky flavor comes from liquid smoke.)
● Smashed Cucumbers
This mix pairs perfectly with refreshing cucumbers, combining chicken extract, white sesame, and powdered soy sauce as a base. The highlight is the sharp, tingling heat of Sichuan pepper.
● Negi Shio Cabbage
It’s packed with the savory flavors of garlic and soy sauce, balanced with the nutty aroma of toasted sesame and a pop of color from fresh green onion.
I Gave ‘Negi Shio Cabbage’ a Try！
Just mix it with cabbage and you’ve got Negi Shio Cabbage—a classic izakaya dish—ready in no time!
Ingredients
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Cabbage: 100g (2–3 leaves)
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Sesame oil: 1 tablespoon
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Negi Shio Cabbage seasoning: 1 packet (3.4g)
Instructions
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In a bowl, combine the seasoning with the sesame oil and mix well.
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Tear the cabbage leaves into bite-sized pieces by hand.
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Add the cabbage to the bowl and toss until evenly coated.
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Transfer to a plate, and it’s ready to serve!
The light saltiness of the sauce and the savory kick of green onion make the cabbage’s natural sweetness shine. It’s perfect as a snack or starter—and absolutely spot-on with a cold beer or chu-hai. Best of all, no stove required: just tear, mix, and enjoy.
And that’s just one example—there’s a whole lineup of seasonings that go perfectly with all sorts of dishes. Curious? Scroll down to the list at the bottom and check them out!
Paste-Type Seasoning Tubes
Next up is the tube-style seasoning series—handy “all-purpose condiments” that let you enjoy authentic Japanese flavors with ease. Lightweight and easy to pack, they also make perfect souvenirs.
You’ll find all the classics, from wasabi and ginger to unique picks like spicy cod roe. Lined up in abundance at supermarkets and drugstores, they’re just waiting for you to discover your favorite.
● Premium Fresh Wasabi（42g）
The Tokusen Hon-Kaori series is all about capturing the genuine aroma of real wasabi. Made with 100% true wasabi, it uses a special low-temperature grating method—called the “Kaori Oroshi” technique—that brings out the fresh fragrance and flavor of the root.
● Spicy cod roe paste（40g）
You can squeeze out just the amount you need—no prep required—making it an easy way to enjoy the flavor of spicy cod roe in all kinds of dishes, from side dishes and snacks to bento lunches and even mentaiko mayo.
● Yuzu pepper（40g）
A no-coloring paste that perfectly balances the refreshing aroma of yuzu with the spicy kick of green chili.
Tried Making ‘Mentaiko French Bread’ with Spicy Cod Roe Paste!
This handy tube lets you enjoy Hakata’s famous spicy cod roe with no prep needed. Just squeeze it onto pasta, rice balls, or a baguette, and you’ve instantly got a taste of Japan.
Why We Recommend It
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Easy-to-enjoy spicy cod roe paste
A convenient product that turns Japan’s beloved karashi mentaiko (spicy cod roe) into an easy-to-use paste. Just squeeze out the amount you need.
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Versatile and perfect as a souvenir
With its rich umami and just-right spiciness, it works beautifully in all kinds of dishes. Lightweight and long-lasting, it also makes an ideal souvenir to take home.
Ingredients
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French bread: 3–4 slices
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Spicy cod roe paste: ½–1 tablespoon
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Butter: 10 g
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Parsley: a pinch
Instructions
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Slice the French bread.
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Spread the spicy cod roe paste on top, place small pieces of butter, and toast in an oven for about 5 minutes.
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Sprinkle with parsley.
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Plate and serve.
Other Products in the Lineup
● Salted Lemon Chicken
A blend of five spices, including parsley, cardamom, and thyme.
● Herb-Roasted Chicken
A mix of four spices and herbs—mainly rosemary, black pepper, and garlic. It’s known for its refreshing herbal aroma and vibrant look.
● Steak
A blend of five spices, with black pepper at the center, combined with garlic, allspice, coriander, and cardamom.
● German Potatoes
With its rich, lingering garlic flavor, this seasoning pairs perfectly with potatoes and bacon—making it an ideal choice for a tasty snack or appetizer.
● Fresh grated wasabi（43g）
Blended with real wasabi and horseradish, it delivers that signature sharp heat and aroma. It’s made to mix smoothly with soy sauce and melt cleanly on the palate. The tube is designed for convenience too—easy to squeeze until the end, with a user-friendly cap and peel-off seal.
● Grated Fresh Wasabi <Economy Size>
Made with a blend of real wasabi and horseradish, this paste delivers that sharp, nose-tingling wasabi kick along with its fresh aroma. It comes in a generous, value-size tube that’s easy to squeeze thinly, with a convenient cap and peel-off seal.
● Grated Fresh Wasabi Large Capacity Set
Blended with real wasabi and horseradish, this paste delivers that sharp, nose-tingling kick and fresh aroma you expect from wasabi. It comes with a “Super Clean Cap” that cuts off neatly with no mess. Great as a condiment on its own, or mixed into mayo and other seasonings, or even tossed with vegetables for cooking.
● Restaurant-grade fresh wasabi（33g）
Made with 100% real wasabi grown in Azumino, Nagano, this paste delivers authentic heat and flavor. It’s crafted to blend smoothly with soy sauce and melt cleanly on the palate. The tube is also designed for convenience—easy to squeeze to the very last bit, with a user-friendly cap and peel-off seal.
● Freshly Grated Wasabi（42g）
The “Hon-Kizami” series focuses on bringing out the natural texture and aroma of chopped ingredients. This version uses coarsely chopped wasabi stems for a crisp bite and fresh fragrance, with a milder heat that’s easy to enjoy. The tube is designed for convenience too—easy to squeeze until the end, with a handy cap and peel-off seal.
● Premium Fresh Ginger（40g）
The Tokusen Hon-Kaori series is all about capturing an authentic, true-to-nature aroma. This ginger paste uses freshly chopped ginger from House Foods’ own factory, delivering the bold, bright fragrance of real ginger along with a coarse, freshly grated texture.
● Grated fresh ginger
This paste brings out the refreshing aroma and spicy kick of freshly grated ginger. The tube is designed for easy use too—smooth to squeeze until the very end, with a handy cap and peel-off seal.
※Product details quoted from the manufacturer’s website.
What do you think?
It’s a fun way to bring the flavors of your trip back home—and since they’re lightweight and keep well, they make perfect souvenirs too. You can find them at supermarkets and drugstores across Japan, so be sure to pick one up and try it for yourself. And if you come up with a creative way to use them in your own country’s cuisine, share it with us in the comments!