Homemade Furikake Recipe | Japanese Rice Seasoning (2024)

Homemade Furikake Recipe | Japanese Rice Seasoning (1)

The first order of business on this post just plain has to be pronunciation. Foo-ree-kah-kay.

My boys, however, prefer to call it furry khaki. Why? Well, I assume it has something to do with being very silly boys.

Now that we’re all on the same page, let’s talk about what it is… Furikake is like salt and pepper in Japan.

It goes on bowls of rice, gets mixed into onigiri, sprinkled over noodles, on porridge and just about anything else that holds still long enough to get hit with it. This wanton flinging of furikake happens for an excellent reason; because it tastes great and delivers an instant explosion of umami to anything it tops.

I find myself looking for more foods to cover with this distinctive seasoning that is briny and earthy with just a touch of seafood essence. If you’ve had it before, you know that there’s nothing to compare to the complete flavour added to dishes where this is present.

I’ll be honest. I’m fixated on furikake.

I love this so much that I almost always make more rice than we’ll need in a meal so I can form rice balls to sprinkle with furikake for late night snacks. Sometimes I just open the jar to sniff it a little bit. It’s a weakness.

Homemade Furikake Recipe | Japanese Rice Seasoning (2)

So what is it exactly? In it’s basic form -the form I’m giving you today- it is toasted sesame seeds, sea salt, nori, bonito flakes and an optional pinch of sugar.

Bonito flakes are dried, paper-thin shaved flakes of tuna. They add a rich seafood taste to the furikake.

If you have trouble finding them, you can purchase them through this linkHomemade Furikake Recipe | Japanese Rice Seasoning (3) . (Full disclosure: This link will take you to Amazon.com. If you purchase the bonito flakes, I will receive an itty bitty commission. )

There are many, many versions of it sold, and just as many, if not more, versions of it made in homes but what I’m giving you today is a good basic leaping off point for adding that little special something to your meals or snacks. We start with raw sesame seeds here, but if all you can find is toasted sesame seeds, simply skip the toasting step and proceed from that point forward.

Do make this, though. Just do. I can’t be the only one who obsesses over these things.

Homemade Furikake Recipe | Japanese Rice Seasoning (4)

Homemade Furikake Recipe | Japanese Rice Seasoning (5)

Homemade Furikake |Japanese Rice Seasoning

Rate Recipe

Rebecca Lindamood

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Furikake: the salt and pepper of Japan. This crunchy, salty, nutty, earthy, briny topping that tastes slightly of seafood is a great all-purpose seasoning for rice, seafood, snacks, and more.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup raw sesame seeds
  • 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon sea salt to taste
  • 3 sheets nori
  • 3 heaping tablespoons bonito flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar optional

Instructions

  • Heat a dry, heavy-bottomed skillet over a medium high burner.

  • Pour in the sesame seeds and shake to distribute evenly over the surface of the skillet.

  • Toast, shaking occasionally, until the seeds are fragrant and begin making little popping sounds.

  • Immediately pour the seeds into a dry, clean bowl to cool and stir in the sea salt. Allow to cool completely before proceeding.

  • Use kitchen shears or clean, dry scissors to cut the nori into 1-inch strips. Stack the strips and cut cross-wise into very thin strips over the bowl of sesame seeds.

  • Use the kitchen shears again to roughly cut up the bonito flakes.

  • Add the sugar (if using) and stir all ingredients together, then transfer to a jar with a tight fitting lid.

  • This is ready to use immediately but can be stored in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight for up to two months.

Nutrition

Calories: 28kcalCarbohydrates: 1gFat: 2gSodium: 146mgPotassium: 21mgVitamin A: 25IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 46mgIron: 0.7mg

Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

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Reader Interactions

    Comments + Reviews

    Reader's Thoughts...

  1. Amalia says

    We have a sesame seed allergy in the house. Any substitutes you can recommend?

    Reply

    • Rebecca says

      Hi Amalia- That’s a tough allergy- sesame is in so much! So the most traditional furikake is made with sesame seed, but you could sub in poppy seeds to add some of that nutty pop. In smaller quantities, nigella seed might be nice, too. I’ve heard hemp seed is a pretty close match for sesame in terms of flavour and texture, but haven’t tried it personally!

      Reply

  2. Jax says

    THANK YOU! I’ve been looking for a homemade version as the ones I’ve seen on Amazon are made in China and contain lead. Making this tomorrow….Saturday night is Onigiri night!

    Reply

    • Rebecca says

      Hi Jax. Thanks for taking the time to rate the recipe. I hope you enjoy it.

      Reply

  3. Helen Calverley says

    Can’t wait to make this, Like to try new ideas & flavors.

    Reply

    • Rebecca says

      Thanks, Helen! I hope you love it as much as we do!

      Reply

  4. Jackie Roberts says

    Sounds yummy. I will make some tomorrow

    Reply

  5. Allie says

    Can I used already roasted black sesame seeds instead of roasting raw?

    Reply

    • Rebecca says

      You betcha, Allie! I prefer freshly roasted ones for the ultimate in fresh taste, but the pre-roasted ones will work well!

      Reply

  6. Leonie says

    Allways have it in my cupboard now! Delish!

    Reply

    • Rebecca says

      I’m so glad!

      Reply

  7. eli says

    You are not alone! Lovely to find a fellow furikake kamikaze.
    I use Furikake on most dishes and recommend it liberally to all my friends and clients in need of sodium replacement, calcium and iodine nutrients and in general spice for life!

    Do you use anything other than Nori? Would wakame or other local seaweeds like dillisk ( dulce)… I live in Ireland and I am trying to give Furikake an Irish twist…..

    ciao
    Elisabetta

    Reply

    • Rebecca says

      Thank you, Eli! I haven’t tried wakame or dillisk in furikake, but see no reason it wouldn’t work. I mean, you’d have a different result, but it doesn’t mean it’d be unpleasant. 🙂

      Reply

  8. Judy Johnson says

    Thanks! I have been trying to buy this stuff locally in a largish town. No luck. $$ on Amazon
    I will give this a try

    Reply

    • Rebecca says

      I’m so glad you found me, Judy! Happy Furikake-ing. 🙂

      Reply

  9. Yuko says

    Thanks for your recipe! Haha my kids can it furry cake.

    In Hawaii we make furikake salmon and there’ll this thing called hurricane popcorn that’s furikake with popcorn. Very popular. Recently I found a 5 color hana(flower) musubi (rice ball) furikake. So pretty.
    https://www.ichikawaen.co.jp/item0004000100140001.html

    Can you figure out how to make that? It would be great to know how to make a vegan non-msg version.

    Reply

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Homemade Furikake Recipe | Japanese Rice Seasoning (2024)

FAQs

What is furikake seasoning made of? ›

Furikake is a Japanese seasoning typically made with toasted sesame seeds, nori, salt, sugar. It varies from region to region and can also include anything from bonito flakes, to chili flakes to miso powder to sh*take powder to poppy seeds.

What is the best furikake for rice? ›

If you'd like to give the flavor a try, we recommend Ajishima Nori Tamago Furikake. If you're still wondering, "what is furikake" - your rice is missing out. This furikake seasoning is a tasty blend of sesame, nori, bonito flakes, and dried tamago (egg) bits.

What is a substitute for Furikake rice seasoning? ›

Salt + Sesame Seedss

My first choice is to just sprinkle on some sea salt (preferably sea salt flakes) and some toasted sesame seeds. This will give you the visuals and nutiness of furikake.

How much furikake to use? ›

All you have to do is add a few teaspoons to the top of your dish, and you'll instantly boost the flavor, texture, and appearance of whatever you're serving. Generally, furikake is a savory mix of sesame seeds, seaweed, and salt that is used as a finishing touch on meals.

What is the classic furikake? ›

Furikake is a Japanese rice seasoning typically made up of, nori, sesame seeds, dried shrimp, and sugar. Furikake seasoning adds a salty, umami flavor to what every you sprinkle it on. Try it with rice, eggs or salads!

What does furikake mean in English? ›

The Japanese word furikake comes from the verb furikakeru, which, translated into English, means to sprinkle. This name perfectly defines the purpose of this dry seasoning, which is sprinkled directly on dishes as a spice, especially on white rice, but also on stews, soups, fish and pasta.

Is furikake healthy for you? ›

As you can see from its origin story, furikake is high in many vital nutrients. As previously mentioned, that includes calcium, but it's also high in protein, iodine, iron, and other minerals. Considering the combination of health benefits and depth of flavor, it's easy to see why furikake is so popular!

Why does furikake taste so good? ›

Imagine a crunchy, salty seasoning filled with umami goodness from the bonito flakes and seaweed nori, rounded off with a nutty undertone from sesame seeds. But furikake isn't just a taste sensation - its crunchy texture also adds a delightful dimension to the dishes it graces.

Is there MSG in furikake? ›

Most of the store-bought furikake contain M.S.G; even if health concerns surrounding M.S.G. have been disproven, I still consider it cheating to use it: The key ingredients of furikake are already intensely umami—they don't need a synthetic boost, just a pinch of salt and sugar.

Does furikake taste fishy? ›

Furikake is often brightly colored and flaky. It can have a slight fish or seafood flavoring and may be spicy and/or sweet. It can be used in Japanese cooking for pickling and for rice balls (onigiri).

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