Lemongrass in Japan: what it's called and where to buy it
Fresh lemongrass is hard to find in Japanese supermarkets. Frozen and dried lemongrass is easier.
Look for this on the label
レモングラス
remon gurasu
How the world cooks Lemongrass
- Tom yum goongHot and sour shrimp soup
- Gà xào sả ớtChicken stir-fried with lemongrass and chilli
- Bún bò HuếSpicy lemongrass beef noodle soup
- Fish amokSteamed fish curry custard
- Soto ayamTurmeric chicken soup
- LaksaSpicy coconut noodle soup
- Chicken inasalGrilled chicken marinated in lemongrass
- Ping gaiGrilled lemongrass chicken
Where to find it
In the shop
Produce herb corner if they have it; dried in the tea or spice shelf.
Which shops
Asian grocery shops (fresh or frozen), KALDI, some farmers' markets in summer, and online.
Watch out
Dried lemongrass sold as herbal tea is fine for soups. Remove it before eating.
If you can't find it
- Lemon zest with a slice of ginger
- Tom yum paste already contains lemongrass
Let the app do the swaps for you
Lazy Recipe sees that you're in Japan and turns any dish into 3 steps with what Japanese supermarkets sell. Your shopping list shows each item's Japanese label and aisle.
Cook with it
More ingredients
- Heavy cream
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda and baking powder
- Cilantro (coriander leaves)
- Coconut milk
- Fish sauce
- Gochujang and gochugaru
- Chickpeas and lentils
- Paneer
- Sour cream
- Ground beef
- Rice paper
- Cornstarch
- Black beans
- Buttermilk
- Tofu (firm and silken)
- Glutinous (sticky) rice
- Jasmine rice
- Rice noodles
- Lime
- Doubanjiang (chili bean paste)
- Shaoxing wine
- Tapioca starch (polvilho)
- Plain yogurt (dahi, curd)
- Ghee
- Cumin, turmeric and garam masala
- Tempeh
- Kecap manis (sweet soy sauce)
- Wood ear mushroom