Made only with the Santaka variety chili pepper, whose fruit exhibits a vibrant red color and distinct spiciness, Yawataya Isogoro’s Ichimi Togarashi isn’t just hot. It has the sweetness and rich aroma of red pepper as well.

This simple ground red chili pepper is crafted by a 100-year-old togarashi manufacturer in Nagano Prefecture. The company performs the entire process of production in-house, from seeding, germinating, planting, growing, and harvesting the pepper to roasting and grinding it into Ichimi Togarashi. They are particular about their roasting method — careful temperature control and the right roasting time are the most crucial elements. At the final step of roasting, their craftspeople check the quality by using all of their five senses.

Their preeminent roasting technique contributes to extracting the maximum amount of Santaka pepper’s flavor and aroma. Its bold umami and spiciness go well with any kind of cuisine.

How to use:

Yawataya Isogoro’s Ichimi Togarashi adds an elegant heat and a touch of toasty aroma to dishes of any cuisine in any style. Simply sprinkle it on top of dishes as a garnish, or mix it with whatever you are cooking — rice, pasta, stir-fries, soups or stews. 

Try it on udon and soba noodle soups, okonomiyaki (Japanese savory pancake), or tan tan ramen noodles (ramen topped with spicy meat sauce). Add a dash to mayonnaise and soy sauce to create a spicy salad dressing or vegetable dip. It also adds a wonderful kick to potato chips, French fries, pizza, and cocktails like a Bloody Mary.

Ingredient: red pepper