Things About Japan

Last update September 2, 2025

Japanese Food - Beni Shōga -


  


     

Beni Shōga

Red Ginger Root Pickles

When you take a seat at Gyūdon (Beef Domburi) or Tonkotsu (pork bone broth) Ramen restaurant, you’ll find a small transparent container filled with red (or pink) substance cut into fine pieces on your table. That’s Beni Shōga (Beni: red, Shōga: ginger), a queen of Japanese relishes. It’s for topping on your food and free. So you can take as much as you want (But adding too much would spoil the food. And more importantly, don’t take it out with you!). Or when you go out for a festival and buy any of Tako Yaki (octopus dumplings), Yaki Soba (sautéed noodles) and Okonomi Yaki (ingredient-mixed baked flour batter) at food stands, you can find it minced and sprinkled on the food. Just like any other condiments, it’s not the leading role but still stimulates many Japanese foods!

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Beni Shōga cut in pieces.
japanese-food-benishoga
Beni Shōga placed in Tonkotsu Ramen.
japanese-food-arare
A container with Beni Shōga placed on each table.
japanese-food-benishoga
Beni Shōga cut in pieces.

japanese-food-benishoga
Beni Shōga placed in Tonkotsu Ramen.

japanese-food-arare
A container with Beni Shōga placed on each table.