Yakinori Roasted Nori Seaweed from Yamamotoyama

Buoyed by the global popularity of sushi, dark green sheets of nori 海苔, are no longer an uncommon sight outside of Japan. However, there is far more to nori than a simple sushi wrapper.

Founded in Tokyo in 1690, Yamamotoyama is a family-owned company specializing in green tea and nori seaweed. They sell nori in various formats, but when it comes to yakinori 焼き海苔 (literally "roasted nori"), they have four main grades: Tokusen (special select), their all-rounder yakinori excellent in color, sheen and flavor which costs 1,080 JPY for 10 sheets, Yamamotoyama, their versatile flagship yakinori sourced from the Ariake Sea which costs 2,160 JPY for 10 sheets, Asakusa, a premium yakinori with a pleasant texture and deep aroma which costs 3,240 JPY for 10 sheets, and their top-of-the-line Nihonbashi, a yakinori using the finest selected nori painstakingly roasted with far infrared rays with a crisp texture, refined taste and delicate aroma which costs 4,320 JPY for 10 sheets.

For those who are curious about nori and interested in exploring the best Japan has to offer, it would only be natural to consider trying one of these premium products in order to gain a true appreciation of the quality difference. However, some people may feel hesitant about loosening their purse strings without tasting first. So, what to do?

Fortunately, Yamamotoyama now has a solution:

Nori-Ju Lunch Set at Fujie Sabo

Since September 2018, Yamamotoyama has operated a cafe space in their flagship Nihonbashi store called Fujie Sabo ふじヱ茶房 where they offer a range of carefully-selected green teas, seasonal Japanese sweets, and meals using high-quality nori.

Fujie Sabo's new Nori-Ju 海苔重 lunch set allows you to try one of the top three grades of yakinori, Nihonbashi, Asakusa and Yamamotoyama, in one convenient meal.

A traditional three-tiered lunch box, the rice in the bottom and middle tiers are flavored with a homemade soy tare sauce, and the star ingredient is seasoned with salt and shredded then generously poured over the rice. Of course, it comes with several condiments and sides which you can enjoy together with it. A simple combination of nori and rice, this is the best way to fully appreciate the quality of nori.

Pricing

• Nori-Ju Nihonbashi: 2,000 JPY (excl. tax)
• Nori-Ju Asakusa: 1,800 JPY (excl. tax)
• Nori-Ju Yamamotoyama: 1,600 JPY (excl. tax)

---

Yamamotoyama Fujie Sabo

• Address: Nihonbashi Takashimaya Mitsui Building 1F, 2-5-1, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
• Hours: 10:30 to 20:00 (L.O. 19:00)
• Telephone: 03-3271-3273
• Credit cards: AMEX, VISA, Master, DC, JCB, UnionPay
• Website: Fujie Sabo
• Access: A one-minute walk from Nihonbashi Station Exit B4 on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line or Tozai Line, or the Toei Subway Asakusa Line