Thursday, January 3, 2013

Rayu

Have you ever heard of Rayu?  My family is totally hooked on the stuff since I brought back a jar from Japan.  It's a chili-infused sesame-based condiment packed with minced chunks of fried onion and garlic.  It is so, so ono on rice and tofu.  I even put a spoonful into my ramen.

This is the jar that I brought home.  I looked but couldn't find it here.
IMG_7537

I found this at Marukai.  It's very similar.
IMG_7539

It's on sale at Marukai right now, from today until 1/7.  It's $5.77.  I think normally it's $8 something.  If you go to Marukai, pick up two bottles . . . trust me . . . you won't regret it.
IMG_7540

It is absolutely the bomb on tofu.
IMG_7551

Since I've been so into all things Japanese lately, I also bought this while I was at Marukai.  It's Yuasa shoyu. I love it. I put a little of it on the above tofu. It's not salty as I expected, but just flavorful.  It's normally around $12, but was on sale for $9.  Expensive yah!  I thought so too, but I think that once in awhile you just gotta treat yourself. According to the long, long, long, long historical account I found here at the SoyInfo Center, shoyu making  in the Yuasa region dates back to the 1600s.
IMG_7557

If you wanna try your hand at making your own rayu, I found a recipe here.  The picture looks good!

9 comments:

K and S said...

I have a recipe too, if Wendell wants to try to make it :)

Leslie's pics said...

Randy loved that thing-in-a-jar- that-we-have-no-idea-what-it-is- but-it-tastes-good thingy....!

Erick said...

Cool I am going to look for that stuff at Marukai. Thanks.

jalna said...

I just took a look at your recipe Kat. It looks soooo ono!!

So funny Les. That's EXACTLY what it was!

Hurry Erick. It's on sale NOW.

Kalin's Mommy said...

I went Marukai today and they had samples of the Rayu. I tried it and bought a jar. Bad thing is it makes me eat more rice! HAHA

Anonymous said...

Upon reading your post we picked up a bottle at Marukai. Ate it with tofu and it was ono! Thank you for the tip! - Matsu

jalna said...

Yay, so good that they had samples, Mich. I'm eating more rice now too. I go back for seconds . . . ack! Are you gonna try and make your own? I can imagine you doing that.

I'm so glad you tried it Matsu!

Nippon Nin said...

I have this at home. I put it on the cooked rice. Love it! I eat too much though.

jalna said...

Akemi, I just love it on rice too!!