Yutaka Shredded Pickled Ginger (Benishoga) 1.5kg

My Experience

From my original Amazon review:

Let's be clear: this is about as Japanese as a Greggs sausage roll. If you're looking for the authentic, sharp tang of Benishoga, this is not it.

The product is a case study in cost optimisation. It's made in China, and the flavour reflects a process where time and authenticity were secondary concerns. The characteristic tang is almost completely absent from the ginger itself; you find it only in the pickling liquid it sits in. This suggests the infusion process was far too short, leaving the strips tasting overwhelmingly of salt and ginger. The addition of multiple artificial sweeteners solidifies this as a product made for a UK palate, dulling the flavour to be less acidic.

So why three stars? For £3, you get 1.5kg of pre-julienned ginger. The value from a pure quantity perspective is insane. If you view it as a bulk bag of a functional, colourful, and salty garnish for your dishes, like I did, then there is little to argue about.

The rating feels fitting: £3 for 3 stars.