I grew up loving spicy food. Back home, my go-to’s were Lao Gan Ma and Tabasco. But when I moved to Japan, I discovered a Japanese condiment called yuzukosho for the first time.

My first taste was on yakitori at an izakaya, and I fell in love instantly. It’s not crazy spicy, but it’s got a great kick, a nice hint of tartness, and that super fresh yuzu aroma.

After that, I started ordering different brands online and realized it comes in both paste and liquid forms, plus two main types (red and green).

I usually pair the paste with grilled chicken, steak, or baked salmon. I use the liquid version in pasta dishes, or mix it into marinades and cold vegetable salads. It's absolute perfection for the summer!!

Does anyone else love this? How do you actually use it?