Sesame Seeds

Sesame is one of the oldest crops in the world, having been harvested for over 5000 years. Right now, Japan is the largest importer of the sesame crop. Sesame seeds have a nutty flavor and are often used in salads and baked snacks.  

Black and tan sesame seeds (gomsaio) are a popular type of flavoring/seasoning that can be used on many food products for its taste and low sodium - a great replacement for salt.  Sesame Seeds is also popular in oil format and is used in a variety of noodle dishes and stir-fry dishes.

It has many health benefits as well, used for digestion and improving ones vascular system.  This oil is also famous for use in traditional massages.

Katsuobushi(Bonito)

Katsuobushi is skipjack tuna that is dried, smoked or fermented. Shaved katsuobushi and dried kelp are often combined by Japanese chefs to make dashi, a soup stock. This is often used in broths such as miso and various sauces. Katsuobushi flakes also can be sprinkled onto noodles and rice dishes to give more of a fishy taste.

Yuzu 

Yuzu is a citrus fruit that originated in East Asia, sometimes called the lemon of the east. It is a hybrid of the mandarin orange and the laleng papeda. Yellow or green in color with an uneven texture, yuzu looks like a grapefruit. Its tart taste combines elements of the grapefruit and mandarin orange. Yuzu’s juices are often used as a garnish. It’s also used in sauces, syrups, liquors, and desserts such as marmalade and cake.  Yuzu is also used in western countries such as the Netherlands and Finland as an ingredient in beer.