Japanese food

Last update September 21, 2025

Japanese Food - Myōga -



  

Myōga

Japanese Ginger

A folk belief suggests that eating Myōga can cause memory loss. That’s true, people tend to forget things as they age. So, even if I feel things last shorter in my mind nowadays, it’s probably nothing to do with this food. Scientifically named “Zingiber mioga”, its alias is Japanese ginger, so I assume that it’s only eaten in Japan. Commonly used as a condiment for a Sōmen noodle dip, an ingredient for Miso Shiru, or a Tempura item. Its refreshing, sharp flavour stimulates our appetite, particularly in summer when we tend to lose it due to intense heat. Scientific research says it enhances brain function (namely, boosts our concentration), which proves the said assertion that it may cause us to lose our memory.

japanese-food-myoga
Myōga before cooking. 		japanese-food-myoga-condiment
Myōga minced as a condiment for Sōmen dip, along with onions.
japanese-food-myoga
Myōga before cooking.

japanese-food-myoga-condiment
Myōga minced as a condiment for Sōmen dip, along with onions.