Japanese Roasted Sesame Seeds / Irigoma

If you like the idea of plump, perfectly roasted sesame seeds always at the ready to flavour and adorn whatever you are cooking then you need Japanese roasted sesame seeds. Known as irigoma, this savvy micro timesaver is an essential Food Find for those of us that delight in the nutty crunch of sesame seeds on a regular basis.

I would say that it’s easy enough to toast sesame seeds in a pan on the stovetop as I have often done, but then again how many times have I forgotten what I’m doing only to be reminded by the smell of burning ?! Toasting sesame seeds at home is indeed eminently doable, and while I most certainly am a proponent of doing things myself, the home toasted result just cannot compare to the pre-roasted variety in my humble opinion.

Jump to:

What is so great about pre-toasted Japanese sesame seeds?
Where to find Japanese Roasted Sesame Seeds / Irigoma
Ways to use Japanese Roasted Sesame Seeds / Irigoma
Pairing

What is so great about pre-toasted Japanese sesame seeds?

Japanese roasted sesame seeds feature a consistent roasting that puffs and plumps up each glossy, tiny seed into what 5th generation Japanese sesame roaster Wadaman calls “plump raindrops of roasted goodness.” I couldn’t agree more. While I stock both raw and pre-roasted sesame seeds in my pantry for various uses, I’m not too proud to admit that the pre-roasted Japanese varieties win out for flavour and texture every time. An added bonus is that I don’t have to try to not burn my own sesame seeds, and I can use those extra moments to bring my attention to some other part of my cooking, knowing that a sprinkle of flavourful earthy goodness is seconds away.

Where to find Japanese Roasted Sesame Seeds / Irigoma

In my neck of the woods, irigoma, or roasted sesame seeds, are found at Japanese grocery vendors or other Asian grocery stores, of which Toronto is fortunate to have an abundance, and are of course available online at speciality sources. I personally buy shiro irigoma, white roasted sesame seeds, and kuro irigoma, a black roasted variety, at one of my longtime favourite Japanese vendors to stock my pantry. If you are lucky you can find a less common third variety, kin irigoma, a roasted variety of prized golden sesame seeds that is higher in fat and boasts a strong sesame aroma.

In my experience, roasted seeds come in packet sizes ranging from quite small to multiple kilos - usually a small or medium packet works for me, and I make sure to transfer the seeds to airtight glass jars to keep fresh over time. Eventually, sesame seeds, like other seeds and nuts, can go rancid, so buy as much as you can reasonably use within a few months.

Ways to use Japanese Roasted Sesame Seeds / Irigoma

I love sesame flavour and sesame seed products in general, from tahini to za’atar to irigoma, are in the most used category of my regular pantry staples. I enjoy these crispy and crunchy golden or onyx beauties on many dishes from many cuisines - sprinkled on top of noodles or noodle soups, liberally scattered on top of roasted vegetables, or providing crunch to an avocado salad or avocado toast.

I use Japanese roasted sesame seeds for flavour and texture in Garden Fresh Furikake, as a flavoursome garnish for Essential Baked Tofu Cubes, and as the essential ingredient in Roasted Sesame Seed Salt which makes a delicious and satisfying meal when accompanied by Steamed Silken Tofu with Ginger and Fragrant Greens. Whichever way you use them, if you love roasted sesame seeds, these tiny, tasty morsels are sure to tickle your fancy and prove useful and time saving to boot!