Add This Japanese Seasoning To Tomato Sandwiches For A Savory Burst Of Flavor

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A classic tomato sandwich might be my favorite sandwich of all time. It's something I wait for all year, with my tomato sando quota reaching well into the double digits by summer's end. The quintessential Southern sandwich needs just a handful of ingredients, and everyone has their own idea of what makes the very best version. A generous slathering of mayonnaise, seasoned with salt and pepper, is the typical starting point. Maybe you add some Lawry's, my mother's preferred spice blend for a tomato sandwich, or maybe you add a slice of Cheddar or provolone for a broiler-grilled cheese and tomato sandwich. But one seasoning that really kicks up this humble sandwich — one that may not already be in your pantry, but absolutely should be — is furikake.

Furikake is a dry Japanese seasoning blend made with ingredients such as sesame seeds, seaweed, herbs, fish flakes, and salt. Traditionally sprinkled over white rice, it delivers a savory, umami-packed punch with a subtle brininess to anything it's paired with, from avocado toast to tuna salad. Acclaimed chef José Andrés even adds it to his breakfast omelet sandwiches.

Furikake pairs surprisingly well with juicy, sweet tomatoes. The next time you're making a tomato sandwich, simply slather two slices of soft white country bread with your mayonnaise of choice, then sprinkle on some furikake before layering on juicy slices of tomato. The tiny seeds and other crunchy ingredients provide a welcome textural contrast to the juicy tomato and pillowy bread.

Tomatoes naturally contain glutamate, the amino acid responsible for much of their savory, umami flavor. Furikake blends (some of which contain MSG, or monosodium glutamate) are used to give food an umami boost. Together, they heighten the tomato character of the sandwich, making a furikake seasoning a surprisingly harmonious addition to this classic.

There are many varieties of furikake, offering different flavor profiles. These can be found in grocery stores, but some, like this Aji Nori Furikake, can also be easily bought online. There are also plenty of options for different dietary needs, including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and low-sodium blends. For a tomato sandwich, though, I'd reach for the classic blend rather than one loaded with seafood — variations featuring bonito, shrimp, or salmon could give the sandwich a more pronounced fishy flavor than what you might want. Modern blends featuring ingredients such as yuzu, chile flakes, or even Parmesan cheese could also make for an interesting twist, adding their own layers of flavor and texture to the sandwich.