Glossary - Ingredients

Benishoga / Pickled Red Ginger

Pickled ginger dyed red with apricot vinegar

What is benishoga?

Benishoga / pickled red ginger (紅しょうが in Japanese) is a variety of Japanese pickled vegetables made from ginger, salt, apricot vinegar, and sugar, with the red coloring coming from the apricot vinegar. Apricot vinegar is an extract made from pickling apricots "umeboshi" in salt, and its red color is due to the addition of red perilla leaves. It is often served with sushi, yakisoba, okonomiyaki, and ramen as a side dish. Benishoga has a different taste from the sliced pickled ginger that is often served with sushi.

Nutrition facts

Ginger, the main ingredient in benishoga, contains gingerol. Gingerol is what gives ginger its spicy component and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is said to have the effect of warming the body and promoting blood circulation, which is useful for improving poor circulation as well as improving metabolism. Gingerol is also said to activate the gastrointestinal system and promote digestion. In addition, ginger contains potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure and adjust the sodium balance in the body.
The vinegar used in the pickling liquid is said to have effects that contribute to fatigue recovery and blood sugar regulation. On the other hand, benishoga contains a lot of salt, so it is best to be cautious not to eat high volumes.