七味(しちみ)

しちみ
noun
seven-spice chili powder; shichimi
foodculture
1. seven-spice chili powder; shichimi togarashi
A Japanese spice blend containing seven ingredients, typically including red chili pepper, sansho pepper, sesame seeds, hemp seeds, dried citrus peel, nori, and ginger. Used as a condiment on noodles, rice dishes, and soups.
うどんに七味(しちみ)をかける。
I sprinkle shichimi on udon.
七味(しちみ)を少(すこ)し多(おお)めに入(い)れてください。
Please put in a little extra shichimi.
京都(きょうと)の老舗(しにせ)で買(か)った七味(しちみ)は香(かお)りがとてもいい。
The shichimi I bought at a long-established shop in Kyoto has a wonderful aroma.

Short for 七味唐辛子(しちみとうがらし) (seven-flavor chili pepper). The seven ingredients vary by brand and region, but the base is always 唐辛子(とうがらし) (red chili pepper).

Common collocations

  • 七味唐辛子(しちみとうがらし): seven-spice chili pepper (full name)
  • 七味(しちみ)をかける: to sprinkle shichimi
  • 七味(しちみ)を振(ふ)る: to shake on shichimi

Similar words

  • 一味(いちみ): ichimi; pure chili pepper powder — contains only red chili pepper, without the other six spices
  • 山椒(さんしょう): sansho pepper — one of the ingredients in 七味(しちみ); used on its own for dishes like grilled eel
  • 唐辛子(とうがらし): chili pepper — the main ingredient; also used as a general term for chili

Cultural note

七味(しちみ) is an essential table condiment in Japan, found at most noodle shops and restaurants. Famous producers include Yagenbori in Tokyo (since 1625) and Shichimiya in Kyoto (since 1655). Each shop's blend is slightly different, and buying 七味(しちみ) is a popular souvenir activity.

Related Words

Compare: 一味(いちみ) (ichimi)
Compare: 山椒(さんしょう) (sansho pepper)
Compare: 唐辛子(とうがらし) (chili pepper)
general
Added 2026.3.28 23:17 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29
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