Asian food products seem to be a bit of a mixed bag at Trader Joe’s. They either do great, or disappear after several months. Remember when TJ’s carried kimchi (it was basic, but good) or refrigerated rice noodles (they were terrible) ? Or even last year’s mochi cake mix. People seemed to like it, but it didn’t stay around long. Now, Trader Joe’s Furikake is on shelves ($2.49 for a 1.95 oz. jar). It’s a Japanese seaweed and sesame sprinkle that I’ve eaten since I was a kid.
It was previewed a couple of months ago on the Inside Trader Joe’s podcast, and I wondered what version they would put on their shelves. In Asian markets, furikake comes in several varieties, including some with shrimp, or bonito flakes, or even dried egg. Trader Joe’s brought us the basic one, just white and black sesame, seaweed, salt and kelp powder.
The thing to know about furikake is that it leads with seaweed. Though sesame seeds are the first ingredient, it’s more of a supporting flavor, and the TJ’s version isn’t particularly salty. So while I’ve seen it suggested you can use it like you would the Everything But the Bagel seasoning…yes and no.
So what can you do with it? I’ve got a few options for you.
THE BASIC: Furikake on Rice
It doesn’t get simpler than sprinkling a little furikake over your rice. This is how I ate it as kid, when rice seemed pretty plain. Have it for breakfast and add a sunny-side up egg. Make your short-grain/sticky rice with two parts brown rice, one part white rice and you’ll almost feel like you’re in Hawaii. Sort of.
FOR SNACKING: Furikake Chex Mix
The holidays might be over, but if you like Chex Mix in your life year round, adding some furikake is a good way to change it up. This version uses Chex cereal, the one I grew up on was always made with Crispix, but it’s up to you.
Hurricane Popcorn
Hurricane popcorn is a popular snack in Hawaii. You can buy it in big tubs at Costco in the Islands, or you can make your own. The rice crackers are key to making it more than just popcorn with some seaweed sprinkle on it. It’s worth tracking down the sakura or hana arare (rice crackers) at your local Asian market. Trader Joe’s multi-seed tamari crackers will work in a pinch, but they’re just not the same.
One batch is 1/3 c. popcorn kernels (popped), 2 T. melted salted butter, 1/4 c. furikake, 1 c. of rice crackers. Recipe is adapted from Alana Kysar’s Aloha Kitchen. More in this video:
WHAT ELSE?
Sprinkle it over instant ramen, add it to the breading for fried chicken or tofu, or even add it to deviled eggs. Some people sprinkle it on fries (I don’t).
I’ll be interested to see how the furikake does over time. The seaweed snacks are still around, so maybe this will catch on, too.
Check out our other We Tried’s from Trader Joe’s:
Kale Gnocchi and Outside-In Stuffed Gnocchi
Sparkling Coconut Water with Yuzu
Italian Bomba Hot Pepper Sauce
