wasabi

American  

[wah-sah-bee] / wɑˈsɑ bi /

noun

1. an Asian plant, Eutrema wasabi, of the mustard family.

2. the pungent, greenish root of this plant, which can be grated and used as a condiment.

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wasabi British  

/ wəˈsɑːbɪ /

noun

1. a Japanese cruciferous plant, Eutrema Wasabi , cultivated for its thick green pungent root

2. the root of this plant, esp in paste or powder form, used as a condiment in Japanese cookery

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Etymology

Origin of wasabi

(< New Latin ) < Japanese

Explanation

The spicy, edible root called wasabi can be ground into an even spicier green paste that's served with many Japanese foods — and is also called wasabi. Watch out for the wasabi sitting innocently on the plate beside your sushi! It may look like a blob of avocado, but it tastes pungent and deeply spicy. The flavor and spice of wasabi is often compared to horseradish or spicy mustard; you don't feel the heat on your tongue so much as in the back of your nose. Sometimes the Japanese plant is unavailable and horseradish root is used instead — sushi chefs call this "Western Wasabi."

Example Sentences

Western United Fish Company, a seafood wholesaler based in Washington state, has recalled over 3,000 pounds of Kirkland Signature brand Ahi Tuna Wasabi Poke sold at Costco Warehouse stores nationwide.

From Salon • Sep. 24, 2025

Jon Old, founder of the Wasabi Company, has been growing wasabi in the UK for over a decade.

From BBC • Sep. 17, 2024

Chainalysis says little publicly about the techniques it uses to combat technologies like Monero or another crypto privacy service called Wasabi Wallet.

From New York Times • Apr. 22, 2023

“Just painting the walls Wasabi will make any room special,” Carley says.

From Washington Post • Aug. 24, 2022

During last year’s show, social-media commentators compared Wasabi to, among other things, a tribble, a Furby and Cousin Itt from “The Addams Family.”

From Seattle Times • Jun. 21, 2022