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

Freshly grated wasabi is prepared tableside, a small touch that makes each bite even more memorable.

From Salon • Mar. 7, 2026

We started with wasabi shumai filled with pork and cabbage, and enough wasabi to bring a huge smile to my face.

From Salon • Jan. 13, 2026

Producers of wasabi and wine have described the challenges of growing their crops in increasingly wet and unpredictable weather.

From BBC • Sep. 17, 2024

The I.S.S. galley is often stocked with wasabi and hot sauce.

From New York Times • Nov. 12, 2023

We each turn our attention to our soy sauce, Mom taking a whole mound of wasabi and stirring it in.

From "Sparrow" by Sarah Moon