wasabi

noun wa·sa·bi \ ˈwä-sə-bē , wä-ˈsä- \

|Updated on: 6 Aug 2018

Definition of wasabi

1 : a condiment that is prepared from the ground thick pungent greenish root of an Asian herb (Wasabia japonica synonym Eutrema wasabi) of the mustard family and is similar in flavor and use to horseradish; also : the root

2 : the herb that yields wasabi

See wasabi defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of wasabi from the Web

Drinks: The signature bloody mary is flavored with yuzu and wasabi and garnished with edamame and one of the meatballs from the River North restaurant's tan tan ramen.

— samantha nelson, RedEye Chicago, "Warm up with these 16 winter brunches in Chicago," 18 Jan. 2018
The homemade dressing is available in wasabi, chipotle, avocado and jalapeno varieties.

— vickie snow jurkowski, Daily Southtown, "Burgers, desserts, compassion are staples at Sizzles in Lockport," 12 July 2018
The actual unlimited lunch menu includes smaller plates, such as crispy shrimp, a burger slider made with honey wasabi mayo, and pork dumplings.

— lauren delgado, OrlandoSentinel.com, "First Bite: Dragonfly Robata Grill & Sushi's Sunday izakaya lunch," 9 July 2018
Add mix-ins — think edamame, seaweed, and orange slices — and sauce, then top your creation with avocado, pickled ginger, wasabi, green onions, on and on.

— BostonGlobe.com, "Where to eat in Greater Boston," 15 June 2018
An almost silky consistency marks the mackerel that Soogil serves, nigiri-style, over wads of rice that have been seasoned with ssamjang (standing in for wasabi?) and wrapped in chard leaves.

— New York Times, "French Skills Meet Korean Flavors at Soogil in the East Village," 8 May 2018
Signature dishes include a wasabi vegetable bowl and a wild Alaskan sockeye gyro.

— harriot manley, SFChronicle.com, "Burning Man comes and goes, but the experience is year-round in Reno," 28 June 2018
Their dark, red flesh is excellent table fare whether sliced thinly and eaten raw with soy sauce and wasabi or cut into steaks and seared on the top and the bottom in a hot skillet, leaving the interior rare or medium rare.

— steve waters, miamiherald, "Fishing for blackfin tunas? Here is a great and fun place in the Florida Keys to do that," 14 June 2018
Make an indentation in the middle of the rice, and smear wasabi over the indentation.

— chronicle staff, San Francisco Chronicle, "4 recipes from now-closed Terra in St. Helena," 11 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'wasabi.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.