Authentic Japanese Wasabi Rhizome, imported fresh!

  • Green wasabi on a gray surface with a Japanese flag in the background
  • Fresh Japanese Wasabi Root (Real Wasabi Rhizome) - Nordic Catch
  • A wooden cutting board with the Nordic Catch logo, featuring a green wasabi rhizome on top and a knife handle resting diagonally. In the background, a plate of fresh sashimi and a small dipping sauce dish are visible on a marble countertop.
  • A hand holds a piece of wasabi over a stainless steel grater on a marble countertop, with a plate of sashimi in the background. The brand name 'Nordic Catch' is visible on the lower right corner of the grater.
  • Fresh Japanese Wasabi Root (Real Wasabi Rhizome) - Nordic Catch
1 5

Nordic Catch

Fresh Japanese Wasabi Root (Real Wasabi Rhizome)

Fresh Japanese Wasabi Root (Real Wasabi Rhizome)

Fresh Japanese wasabi root with a clean, aromatic heat and smooth finish. Unlike typical “wasabi” paste, real wasabi delivers a bright, refined flavor that enhances sushi, sashimi, and premium seafood.
$125.00
$125.00
$125.00 item
Sale Sold out
Shipping calculated at checkout.
  • Follow our storage instructions to preserve rhizome up to 3 months! We do not recommend freezing!
Pack Size
  • Imported fresh from Shizuoka, Japan
  • Special order, may call to arrange delivery.
  • Never frozen! Ships with 1-2 day delivery!

What Is Real Wasabi?

Most wasabi served outside of Japan is not real wasabi—it’s typically a mix of horseradish, mustard, and coloring.

True wasabi (Wasabia japonica) is a delicate root prized for its:

  • fresh, green aroma
  • smooth, short-lived heat
  • clean, slightly sweet finish

It doesn’t burn like horseradish. Instead, it adds balance and enhances the natural flavor of the food.

Why Fresh Wasabi?

Fresh wasabi offers a completely different experience than paste.

  • More aromatic and complex
  • Less harsh heat
  • Cleaner flavor that fades quickly
  • Made to order when grated

Once grated, wasabi is best enjoyed immediately, making it a true chef-level ingredient.

Flavor Profile

Fresh wasabi is subtle but distinctive.

Expect:

  • bright, herbal aroma
  • gentle heat that rises quickly and fades
  • slight sweetness
  • clean finish that complements raw fish

It enhances rather than overwhelms.

How to Use Wasabi Root

Grating (Traditional Method)

  • Use a fine grater or oroshigane
  • Grate in small circular motions
  • Let sit for 1–2 minutes before serving

This activates the flavor.

Best Pairings

Fresh wasabi is ideal with:

Use sparingly—small amounts go a long way.

Storage

Fresh wasabi is perishable and should be handled carefully.

  • Wrap in a damp paper towel
  • Store in the refrigerator
  • Keep in an airtight container

For best quality, use within a few weeks.

Why Buy Wasabi from Nordic Catch

Nordic Catch sources premium ingredients to complement its seafood offerings.

Our wasabi is selected for:

  • freshness and quality
  • proper handling and storage
  • suitability for sushi-grade applications

It’s part of a curated selection designed to elevate your at-home dining experience.

Product Details

Product: Fresh Japanese Wasabi Root
Species: Wasabia japonica
Origin: Japan
Condition: Fresh
Packaging: Wrapped and protected for transit

Storage Instructions

Printed detailed page included in each order!

Wrap each individual rhizome in a wet paper towel and refrigerate in an open bowl or an open plastic vegetable bag.  Re-wet the paper towel every few days. If the Wasabi darkens, peel the outer layer lightly with a potato peeler before grating.  The cut areas will oxidize only superficially; the heat and flavor will remain unchanged under the oxidized layer. 

Portion Size

A full size wasabi rhizome weighs approximately 120-150g (4-6oz). Thickness and length will vary from piece-to-piece.

Source

Imported fresh from Shizuoka, Japan

View full details
  • Steel Shark Wasabi Grater - Hagane Zame - Nordic Catch
1 7

Kinjirushi

Steel Shark Wasabi Grater - Hagane Zame

$65.00
$65.00
Sale Sold out
Shipping calculated at checkout.
View full details

Real Wasabi vs Wasabi Paste

Most “wasabi” served outside of Japan is not real wasabi. Here’s how fresh Japanese wasabi root compares to typical wasabi paste.

Type Ingredients Flavor Heat Best Use
Fresh Wasabi Root 100% Wasabia japonica Bright, herbal, slightly sweet Clean, short-lived, aromatic Sushi, sashimi, premium dishes
Wasabi Paste Horseradish, mustard, coloring Sharp, aggressive, one-dimensional Strong, lingering burn General use, low-cost applications

Shop More Collections

Customer Reviews

Overall rating: 4.6 / 5 from 11 reviews.

Customer photo review of Fresh Japanese Wasabi Root (Real Wasabi Rhizome)

The fresh wasabi has such a vibrant, clean flavor with just the right amount of heat. It’s slightly sweet, aromatic, and very smooth. Freshly grated, it was the perfect complement to sashimi without overpowering the flavor of the fish. Absolutely worth trying!

Taylor S. 5/5 Verified

Fresh Japanese Wasabi Root (Real Wasabi Rhizome)

Customer photo review of Steel Shark Wasabi Grater - Hagane Zame

This grater is pretty neat! I had a sushi night with some friends and I bought half a root and wasabi grater from Nordic Catch. It elevated our sushi party without breaking the bank like we would have done at a restaurant. I really like how it’s made of stainless steel rather than shark skin! Can’t wait to use the grater for other dishes 😋

Luis G. 5/5 Verified

Steel Shark Wasabi Grater - Hagane Zame

Customer photo review of Fresh Japanese Wasabi Root (Real Wasabi Rhizome)

This will be my go to from now on 🤗 So much better than wasabi from a tube! Beautiful color and so fresh! I highly recommend this over the fake wasabi paste you buy at the store! Even came with instructions to store the wasabi for months!

Olga T. 5/5 Verified

Fresh Japanese Wasabi Root (Real Wasabi Rhizome)

I bought this wasabi for a dinner party, and it was a big hit! SO much better than store-bought. One of my guests placed an order immediately after trying it!

Paula T. 5/5 Verified

Fresh Japanese Wasabi Root (Real Wasabi Rhizome)

This was my first time trying real fresh wasabi, and the difference was incredible! It had a bright, refreshing heat that faded smoothly. It grated beautifully and tasted amazing with sushi and sashimi. I’ll never look at the usual wasabi paste the same way again!

Sherri A. 5/5 Verified

Fresh Japanese Wasabi Root (Real Wasabi Rhizome)

I thought only fancy sushi restaurants had real wasabi! Now I can have it at home to enjoy our weekly sushi nights with the fam! We’ve had this piece in our fridge for nearly a month and it’s still good! You can taste the heat, but it doesn’t linger in your mouth like the fake stuff!

Julian P. 5/5 Verified

Fresh Japanese Wasabi Root (Real Wasabi Rhizome)

Horrendous experience, I purchased the wasabi root and when I received it, it smelled nothing less than a deteriorating corpse and dead fish. I was really disappointed because I had a sushi night planned and was going to use the wasabi for our nigiri and sashimi. I had to go out and buy some fake wasabi powder because I immediately had to throw away what I received in the mail. This should be shipped in a cooled container, not in a usps bubble wrap bag. Unbelievably disappointed with their service. I would not waste my money here.

Liliana O. 1/5 Verified

Fresh Japanese Wasabi Root (Real Wasabi Rhizome)

Store owner replied: Hey Liliana! I'm happy we spoke over the phone! I'm sorry that USPS delayed your delivery by 7 days! This resulted in the wasabi root arriving to you spoiled. I'm glad I was able to resolve the issue, and I hope we have better results with delivery next time! Cheers, Nordic Catch