Enjoy Furikake : A Beloved Staple of Japanese Home Cooking
Furikake is a classic Japanese seasoning that makes plain white rice instantly more delicious. Many of you may already have it on your souvenir list for your trip to Japan.
This time, we’re introducing four furikake favorites that Payke staff actually use and love.
From classic flavors to slightly more unique options, all of them are easy to find at supermarkets and drugstores. If you come across them, be sure to pick one up and give it a try.
A Quick Look at the History of Furikake
Furikake is incredibly simple. Just sprinkle it over rice, and the flavor is done.
Its origins are said to go back about 100 years, when it was first created to help supplement nutrition. Over time, the variety of flavors expanded, and today it has become an essential part of everyday Japanese home cooking.
Another great thing is how easy it is to enjoy while traveling. Sprinkle it over hotel rice or add it to an onigiri, and you instantly get a taste of Japan with almost no effort.
Nagatanien – Otona no Furikake Wasabi
Made with carefully selected nori seaweed chosen by Nagatanien’s seaweed specialists, this furikake is satisfying for both adults and children.
The refreshing aroma and sharp wasabi kick are balanced with bonito flakes and crispy nori, creating a refined, grown-up flavor. The individual packets keep each serving fresh until you open it.
Why is it called “Otona no Furikake” (Adult Furikake)?
When it was first released in 1989, furikake was widely seen as “food for kids.”
To change that image, Nagatanien named this series “Otona no Furikake,” positioning it as a more premium option that adults could truly enjoy. Of course, children can eat it too, so no worries there.
【Other Flavors in the Series】
Otona no Furikake Bonito
Sweet-and-savory seasoned bonito flakes combined with crispy nori and sesame seeds for a deep, flavorful taste.
Otona no Furikake Red Salmon
Spicy, aromatic cod roe combined with crispy nori creates a bold and deeply satisfying flavor.
Otona no Furikake Spicy Cod Roe (Karashi Mentaiko)
Spicy, aromatic cod roe combined with crispy nori creates a bold and deeply satisfying flavor.
Marumiya – Mixed Wakame Furikake (Ume & Shiso)
This furikake features a bold plum flavor with a refreshing sourness. The bright aroma of shiso leaves is complemented by toasted white sesame seeds, while colorful wakame seaweed adds texture and a pleasant ocean fragrance when mixed into rice.
Marumiya – Noritama
The iconic furikake that practically defines the category.
Carefully selected nori seaweed and fluffy egg granules come together in this long-selling classic. In addition to nori and egg, it includes sesame seeds, shaved mackerel flakes, matcha salt, and more, all perfectly balanced to bring out each ingredient’s flavor. Contains seaweed-derived calcium.
Marumiya – Crayon Shin-chan Furikake Mini Pack (20 Sachets)
A fun assortment designed for kids, featuring four flavors:
Egg (6 packs), Salmon (6 packs), Bonito (4 packs), and Small Fish (4 packs), for a total of 20 individual sachets.
The small packets are convenient for meals at home or packed lunches, and they’re fortified with calcium.
How to Make Delicious Furikake Onigiri, the Marumiya Way
Source：Marumiya Official Website
Point 1：Use a Frying Pan for Easy Mixing
Using a non-stick frying pan, gently “cut” through the rice as you mix. This prevents the grains from sticking together and keeps the texture light and fluffy. As a bonus, cleanup is easier too.
Source：Marumiya Official Website
Point 2：Don’t Squeeze Too Hard
The most important rule when making onigiri is not to grip them too tightly.
Lightly shaping the rice is enough to create a soft, easy-to-eat onigiri. Using a store-bought onigiri mold makes it even easier to get a neat shape.
Source：DAISO Official Website
Onigiri molds are widely available at 100-yen shops and in bento supply sections at supermarkets.
Triangle Onigiri Maker
So, What Did You Think?
If you’ve ever stood in a supermarket wondering which furikake to buy, we hope this helped narrow it down.
If there are other products you’re curious about, let us know in the comments. The Payke staff will look into them for you.