SaurabhThe Japanese cuisine has very interesting and tasty ingredients when combined together will provide a nice flavourful dish.
Wasabi or also known as Japanese horseradish is a root that is very similar to horseradish. They come from the same family of plants and both are very tasty and flavorful.
Wasabi has a bit of a stronger taste and has traces of hotness in its flavors. It is usually used with Japanese noodles, sushi, or some other meals.
Wasabi will bring a nice scent and prudent taste, but the downside is that it’s hard to find and costs too much. In that case is there something that can be used instead?
Is there a substitute for wasabi? Yes, there are ingredients that will help replace wasabi in most recipes such as Ginger, Horseradish, Karashi, Mustard, Hot Daikon, Yuzu, Carolina Reaper, and Chili peppers.
Substitutes for Wasabi
Find out more about which out of these ingredients will fit your recipe as well as read the easiest recipe for wasabi paste to make at home.
1. Ginger
The first substitute that we recommend is ginger. It’s a popular ingredient among the Japanese and their recipes. It has a spicy taste with a sweet aroma.
Although they are not the same, wasabi can be substituted by ginger in most recipes. A fun fact is that when used in recipes that include fish, ginger can take away its smell and provide some nice tones. Use equal amounts or make it according to your recipe.
2. Horseradish
Another popular ingredient that is considered a suitable replacement for wasabi is horseradish. Both roots are very similar and have a similar texture.
As they both have the same profiles and many things in common, you can easily replace them in your recipes. The difference is in the taste, and wasabi has a bit more complex taste. When replacing them in your recipes, use a ratio of 1:1.
3. Karachi
A nice and decent choice to replace wasabi is Karachi. They come from the same family as wasabi and are considered to be similar.
Karachi has a strong taste with unique traces. Karashi is also used in Japanese cuisine in many recipes. Karachi has a yellow color which makes it different from Wasabi as well as when used in cooking it may mark a difference. Use in most recipes and use equal amounts.
4. Mustard
A very popular product that is used in cooking and will serve as a good substitute for wasabi is mustard. Actually, to make it even more suitable and close to the taste of wasabi, you can use spicy brown mustard.
Both options are available in your markets so you won’t make a mistake by replacing wasabi. Use it in recipes that require meat or any savory dish. They may differ in the colour, but the taste will make your dish tasty. Use a ratio of 1:1 in your cooking.
5. Hot Daikon
A staple ingredient in the Asian cuisine and something that you can use to swap wasabi is the daikon radish. Actually, hot daikon will be better suited. It has a more pungent taste and is smaller than the actual daikon.
It has a sweet and tender taste with traces of hotness. It’s a great way to replace wasabi in recipes like veggies, noodles, serve it raw, or as a side dish. Make sure to remove the water from the daikon well before eating. Replace equal amounts.
6. Yuzu
Another popular Japanese product that can be used instead of wasabi is the yuzu peppers. This paper has an amazing scent and is made from the skin of yuzu and green chilis.
It has a salty and fruity flavor and can be used with meat, sushi, soups, or noodles. You can replace yuzu in most recipes that require wasabi and use equal amounts.
7. Carolina Reaper
Although it is considered to be the hottest of the peppers, you can use it to replace wasabi. It has a fruity taste with a spicy taste which you need to make sure not to use too much. You can use it to make a lot of sauces or to add smokiness to your meals.
8. Chilli Peppers
Chili peppers are another option that you can use when it comes to wasabi. Even though it is a pepper-like Carolina reaper, it can provide spiciness and hotness in your recipe.
Actually, it is also an ingredient that is used in Indian cuisine which will make it suitable for most recipes. Use subtle amounts to avoid making your dish very spicy.
Homemade Wasabi Paste
Wasabi roots are found in several places in the world. However, there is another option that you can use and that is wasabi paste.
It is something that you can either buy at the supermarket or you can make it at home. We have the perfect recipe for you. It is simple and delicious.
Instructions
Combine 2 teaspoons of wasabi powder with a teaspoon of water. Place them in a bowl, mix it all together and you have your wasabi paste. If you need more, adapt it by how much you need and add the same ratio.
Related Questions
How do you make fake wasabi?
The fake wasabi is actually made from a mixture of horseradish, mustard flour, green food colorant, and cornstarch. If you need to imitate wasabi these are the ingredients that you’ll need.
What is the main ingredient of wasabi?
Horseradish, mustard, and green colorant are the main ingredients when making real wasabi paste. Because wasabi is hard to grow and when you do find it may be expensive, you can always use the combination to make a good wasabi paste.
Is horseradish similar to wasabi?
It is. Actually, wasabi is also known as Japanese horseradish and they both come from a family of plants. They both can serve as a substitute for each other.
