Originally Posted by
cockpitvisit
Got fresh wasabi when having lunch at a random place in Asahikawa! It tasted fresh and was by far not as fine grained as diluted "wasabi" powder back home. But I want to compare real wasabi with fake one, because the taste difference seems less than expected.
Which brings another question: where can I buy hon wasabi paste or powder in Tokyo? I understand the wasabi root itself doesn't last very long, so it's probably not an option. My knowledge of shopping in Japan is limited to Lawson, 7 eleven and FamilyMart, I suppose they don't have real wasabi products...
Nagano’s wasabi farms would be a good source for this kind of product. I looked at the Nagano Antenna shop and their wasabi is indeed represented:
“Azumino grated wasabi 安曇野産おろし本わさび
マル井 circle well
Authentic wasabi using only real wasabi (main ingredient) from Azumino, Shinshu.
Store price 270 yen (25g)”
”Wasabi Furikake
Rice Ball Kororin Honpo
Nozawana grown in the prefecture is used. It is a dish that you can enjoy the texture unique to the freeze-drying method, with the moderate spiciness and aroma of wasabi spreading.
Store price 756 yen (80g)”
”Wasabi Leaf Pickles
Kobayashi Farm (Chikuma City)
A dish where you can easily enjoy the flavor of wasabi, made by seasoning domestic wasabi leaves with domestic seasonings. It is also useful as an accompaniment to sake and tea.
Store price 702 yen (190g)”
These are all on this page
https://www.ginza-nagano.jp/store/processed-food/page/5
“Flavoured Agiri Wasabi 味付あらぎりわさび
circle well マル井
The coarsely chopped wasabi stalks have a crunchy texture, and the flavor spreads in your mouth with each bite. It's seasoned with soy sauce, so it's also a side dish for sake.
Store price 650 yen (150g)”
is on page 3 (personally, this - Flavoured Agiri Wasabi - is what I’d go for*)
https://www.ginza-nagano.jp/store/processed-food/page/3
Ginza Nagano
〒104-0061 Tokyo, Chuo City, Ginza, 5 Chome−6−5 NOCO1・2・5F NOCOビル 4階
https://www.ginza-nagano.jp/en
It is round the corner from the A1 Exit at Ginza Station on Ginza Suzuran Dori Street
Here’s a closer look at that Flavoured Agiri Wasabi
https://marui-wasabi.kuzefuku-arcade...oduct=marui603
——-
If Akihabara station is more convenient for you, the Shizuoka Antenna Shop is just there, but it is within a store called CHABARA within
Nippon Department Store Shokuhinkan.
https://www.nippon-dept.jp/shop/page...okuhinkan.aspx
Although I couldn’t identify any wasabi products on a website, they can be seen on the shelves:
