Ise Lobster Dashi by Yamasu: Try It in Pasta to Fully Enjoy the Flavor of Chiba’s Famous Lobster

It has been a while since our last Chiba souvenir review. Chiba is famous for Ise lobster, a specialty we have featured many times through products such as Boso Shrimp Rice Crackers, Shrimp Sauce, Ise Lobster Potato Chips, and Boso Ise Lobster Song Kakimochi. With each one, the key question is how strongly you can enjoy the character of Ise lobster. In other words, even though the product is not an actual whole lobster, how much of its savory depth and aroma does it convey? I already love shrimp, so I immediately put this “Ise Lobster Dashi Stock Powder” in my basket. What happened when I tasted it was unexpected, however, and worth reviewing. I bought it at Kamagaya Fusa no Eki, a convenient souvenir destination in the part of Chiba closest to Tokyo.

Ise Lobster Dashi Stock Powder by Yamasu

A 110-gram bottle costs ¥550. The same series also included scallop, oyster, and freshwater clam stock powders. They were all the same price, which made choosing difficult. Although I love shrimp, the other seafood varieties were tempting too. In the end, I chose lobster because it is so strongly associated with Chiba. The bottle is tall, slim, and conical. Its label features an impressive illustration of an Ise lobster. Below it, the package recommends using the seasoning in miso soup or wonton soup. Because the bottle is transparent, you can see the stock granules and easily check how much remains. The best-before date is printed on the back; mine was about eleven months after the purchase date.

How does Ise lobster dashi taste dissolved in miso soup?

I wish I had at least added some green onion or tofu… Instead, I made an extremely simple bowl of miso soup using only the Ise lobster stock powder. Let’s taste it. To be honest, it did not immediately taste unmistakably like Ise lobster. It was perfectly delicious as a seafood-based stock, but perhaps because I used it in miso soup, the lobster’s sweetness and aroma were difficult to detect.

Next, I tried using the Ise lobster dashi in pasta

I wanted a better sense of the lobster flavor, so on another day I made pasta with the same stock powder. Using squid and lettuce left in the refrigerator, the lobster stock, and a small amount of milk, I made a quick cream-pasta-style dish. This was exceptionally delicious (^^) The aroma and savory richness of Ise lobster came through clearly! I highly recommend using this stock in pasta. The granules dissolve easily, which also makes it very convenient. It was excellent in peperoncino as well, where its aroma remained especially vivid. In miso soup, the stock seemed to lose against the stronger miso flavor and became hard to identify ^^; For pasta dishes that let you experience the Ise lobster taste directly, however, it is highly recommended. The price is reasonable and the powder is easy to use, so it is a welcome ingredient to keep at home. Next time, I would like to try the scallop version! Thank you for the meal. Chiba is fascinating because it has so many different sides, and there are almost too many souvenirs to choose from. Be sure to see “Recommended Souvenirs from Chiba Prefecture” as well.

Ise Lobster Dashi Stock Powder Product Info, Expiration Date, Manufacturer