Japan, by way of Brooklyn: Togarashi Smoked Salmon

Smoked Salmon. Bright. Balanced. Bold.

Can we let you in on a little secret? One of the unique smoked salmon flavor innovations in our lineup actually isn’t so original... but borrows from seasoning developed in 17th century Tokyo spice markets.

Meet Acme’s 3 oz. Togarashi Smoked Salmon, our ode to Japan’s historic and iconic shichimi togarashi spice blend. We start with premium Atlantic salmon, hand-trimmed and cured with care, then cold-smoke it over a blend of North American hardwoods. The result is a luscious, savory smoked salmon kissed with citrus, sesame, chili, and just the right amount of umami.

Think of it as an Edo Period Japanese spice merchant’s pantry meeting a modern Brooklyn smokehouse, and it’s equally as transportive as it is elegant.

What Is Togarashi? What is Togarashi Smoked Salmon?

Togarashi, short for shichimi togarashi (meaning “seven-flavor chili pepper”), is a multifaceted Japanese spice blend that dates back to 1600s Tokyo. Our version balances mild heat and zesty citrus with earthy sesame and seaweed. Inside each pack you’ll taste:

• Dried chili blend (ours includes paprika)
• Orange peel
• Black and white sesame seeds
• Ginger
• Seaweed
• A touch of salt

The combination brings a vibrant, layered flavor to cold smoked salmon. Like the spicy dishes of the Kumamoto region of Japan, but with a slow, pleasant build.

Ways to Enjoy Togarashi Smoked Salmon

Whether you’re a smoked salmon traditionalist, a sushi purist, or someone who likes to get a little creative in the kitchen, this smoked salmon plays well across meals. It’s a natural fit for hand rolls, poke bowls, and anything involving rice and seaweed, but it shines just as easily on brunch boards and grain bowls.

Here are a few recipe-ready ideas from the Acme Smoked Fish test kitchen.

Togarashi Smoked Salmon Grain Bowl

The Recipe: Togarashi Smoked Salmon Grain Bowl

A healthy, high-protein base of brown rice gets topped with cucumber, bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, and a generous helping of togarashi smoked salmon. A little cilantro, a splash of vinegar, and a drizzle of spicy mayo seal the deal.

Togarashi Smoked Salmon Sushi Roll

The Recipe: Togarashi Smoked Salmon Sushi Roll

Smoky, nutty, citrusy, and packed with flavor, these homemade sushi rolls feature seasoned rice, avocado, cucumber, and togarashi smoked salmon. A sushi mat is encouraged, but flavor is guaranteed.

Spring Rolls with Togarashi Smoked Salmon

The Recipe: Togarashi Smoked Salmon Spring Rolls

Pair our Togarashi Smoked Salmon with vermicelli, lettuce, fresh herbs, and cucumber inside rice paper wrappers. Dip in a sweet, lemony sauce with a hint of heat for a light, summery snack or lunch.

Togarashi Smoked Salmon Tiradito

The Recipe: Togarashi Smoked Salmon Tiradito

Inspired by the Japanese-Peruvian classic, this elegant dish plates thin slices of Togarashi Smoked Salmon in sweet ponzu with avocado purée and toasted amaranth for a textural, globally inspired showstopper.

How our Togarashi Smoked Salmon is Made

We don’t take shortcuts when it comes to flavor. Like all our smoked fish, Togarashi Smoked Salmon starts with carefully selected Atlantic salmon, trimmed and cured by hand. It’s then cold-smoked low and slow until tender and just smoky enough to let the spice blend sing.

Our togarashi crust isn’t just sprinkled, it’s layered with purpose, so every bite brings warmth, brightness, and depth. You’ll find it especially shines when paired with ingredients like rice, nori, creamy avocado, or citrus-based sauces.

What the Experts Are Saying About Togarashi Smoked Salmon

As The New York Times put it:

“Acme Smoked Fish has introduced smoked salmon seasoned with shichimi togarashi, giving it a subtle but distinctive chili and citrus kick. This is not the smoked salmon to put on an everything bagel. Go for plain or roll the smoked salmon in nori.”

Florence Fabricant knows what she was talking about. And if you haven’t tried this one yet, we think it’s time you did.

Ready to Turn up the Flavor on Your Smoked Salmon?

Find our retail partners selling our 3 oz. Togarashi Smoked Salmon through our Store Locator tool.

Or use our Store Locator's Buy Online function to find Togarashi Smoked Salmon available for home delivery.

And for those local to New York and the Tri-State Area, you can buy Togarashi Smoked Salmon at our Fish Friday retail experience in Brooklyn.

No matter how it comes to you (or how you come by it), we hope you try our Togarashi Smoked Salmon. It will satisfy your smoked salmon craving at every occasion. Try Togarashi Smoked Salmon today!