Japanese food

Last update September 7, 2025

Japanese Food - Beni Shōga -



  

Beni Shōga

Red Ginger Root Pickle

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 Takoyaki (octopus batter balls), Yakisoba (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-benishoga
A container with Beni Shōga placed on each table.
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Beni Shōga sprinkled on Takoyaki. 		japanese-food-benishoga-drink
Shōchū-based drinki with Beni Shōga slices.
japanese-food-benishoga
Beni Shōga cut in pieces.

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

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A container with Beni Shōga placed on each table.

japanese-food-takoyaki
Beni Shōga sprinkled on Takoyaki.

japanese-food-benishoga-drink
Shōchū-based drinki with Beni Shōga slices.