Up Your Rice Game

Self-proclaimed “rice baller,” Fumi Tsukamoto calls the creation of Abokichi Okazu — her company's miso, sesame, chili and garlic condiment — a “happy accident that emerged out of a labour of love.” The Japanese ex-pat was making and selling traditional style onigiri, Japanese rice balls, at local farmers’ markets when the idea came to her. Onigiri is a mainstay of Japanese fast-food found not only in every home, but also at gas stations and corner stores across the country. The okazu-flavoured onigiri proved most popular among her customers, yet Tsukamoto wasn’t happy with the chemicals and ingredients found in the imported versions of the condiment, so she decided to make her own. Okazu, which translates to rice accompaniment, is traditionally consumed as a big spoonful over rice, but Tsukamoto loves it on eggs and dumplings. And most of all she loves hearing how customers are experimenting with her product — using it in everything from muffins to hummus.

Abokichi
abokichi.com | 416.992.0298

Find it at: Evergreen Garden Market, Springridge Farm, Max’s Market, Death in Venice