わさび
Meanings
1
wasabi; Japanese horseradish
usually written using kana alone
Refers to the plant Wasabia japonica and the green pungent paste made from its stem, used in Japanese cuisine.
I eat sushi with a little wasabi on it.
This wasabi is from Shizuoka.
2
horseradish; wasabi-horseradish blend
usually written using kana alonecolloquial
Colloquial extension; often refers to horseradish or a mixture of horseradish and wasabi, commonly found in tubes or powder. See also ホースラディッシュ and 西洋わさび.
Tube wasabi often actually contains horseradish mixed in.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉にわさびをつけるto put wasabi on food
I dip sashimi in wasabi before eating it.
- わさびが効くthe wasabi is strong/pungent
This sushi has a strong kick of wasabi.
- わさびをおろすto grate wasabi (root)
I grated fresh wasabi root to use.
- わさびを溶くto mix wasabi into soy sauce or another liquid
I mixed wasabi into soy sauce to make a dipping sauce.