This is the Higashimaru Chotto Zosui Crab. This is a powdered seasoning blend designed for preparing zōsui, featuring crab extract, powdered soup stock, soy sauce mix, carrot, Japanese parsley, bonito and sardine extracts, kelp, pepper, and real “crab loosened meat” (kani-hōrimi).

At just 10 g per sachet, this seasoning allows for convenient preparation of seafood zōsui at home. Preparation involves combining the contents of one sachet with 100 g of cooked rice and 250 mL of water, then heating over medium heat for one minute.

Once prepared, the broth delivered a distinctly savoury seafood profile—more broadly oceanic than specifically crab-forward. The dominant notes resembled a fish-based dashi, with bonito and kelp coming through most clearly, accented by a restrained dash of soy sauce. Rehydrated carrot provided a surprisingly assertive presence, contributing both sweetness and body, while the inclusion of Japanese parsley added a delicate vegetal nuance. Pepper was applied with restraint, offering a faint lingering heat in the aftertaste.

While the flavour was clean and elegant, the pricing—$4.00 per sachet at full price—felt steep for what was effectively a single-serve seasoning. Nonetheless, it remained a well-balanced product with thoughtful integration of ingredients.

This Higashimaru Chotto Zosui Crab contained 10 g. It was produced in Japan and purchased in Sydney, Australia in 2025.