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Used for Yakisoba and Takoyaki, red pickled ginger or Beni Shoga is julienned ginger pickled in plum vinegar, the brine produced during the Umeboshi making.
What is Pickled Ginger (Beni Shoga)
Red Pickled Ginger or Beni Shoga (紅生姜) is julienned young ginger pickled in plum vinegar (梅酢), which is the brine produced during umeboshi (pickled plum) making.
The natural red color is from red shiso leaves (Perilla) that are added to the brine for umeboshi. The store-bought red pickled ginger tends to have a vivid red color, which is artificial coloring (see picture above).
How to Use It
Red pickled ginger is often used as a part of an ingredient in Okonomiyaki and as a garnish on Takoyaki and Yakisoba, and donburi (rice bowl dishes) like Gyudon.
The tangy and crunchy ginger gives refreshing taste and texture when you have salty, sweet, or heavy foods.
Pickled Sushi Ginger
There is also similar pickled ginger in Japanese cuisine, and it’s Gari (がり) or sushi ginger.
Recipes Using Red Pickled Ginger (Kizami Beni Shoga)
