Top Dashi Powder Brands You'll Absolutely Love

Dashi powder is a staple ingredient in Japanese cuisine, known for its ability to impart a deep umami flavor to soups, broths, and other dishes. With a variety of options available in the market, choosing the right brand can elevate your culinary creations to new heights. Some brands are celebrated for their authentic taste and high-quality ingredients, making them favorites among both home cooks and professional chefs. For those interested in exploring top recommendations, continue reading below to discover the best brands for dashi powder.

Illustration of dashi powder

Best brands of dashi powder in 2025

Kayanoya

Kayanoya is renowned as one of the best producers of dashi powder, utilizing high-quality, domestically-grown ingredients such as konbu, bonito flakes, round herring, and grilled flying fish. Their products are created in carefully monitored facilities in Japan and have a shelf life of 1 year when stored in a cool place. Each packet of Kayanoya Original Dashi Stock Powder contains 8g of powder and can be used to make dashi in just 2 minutes, with one packet sufficient for 2-3 servings. The ingredients are free from preservatives, and the product is suitable for various dishes, adding umami flavor to soups, stews, and more. With a focus on domestic ingredients and strict quality control, Kayanoya ensures a superior flavor experience.

Shimaya

Shimaya is a renowned brand in the production of high-quality dashi powder, having introduced the world's first instant dashi, "Dashi-no-moto," in 1964. This innovative product has made home cooking easier and quicker, bringing the rich umami flavor of dried bonito and kombu to a wide range of Japanese dishes. Shimaya's dashi powder is manufactured in Shunan, Yamaguchi prefecture, and is available in both powder and granule types, suitable for various culinary uses. The products are designed to be easy to dissolve in water and maintain a natural flavor without added heat during manufacturing. Shimaya's dashi powder is a staple in many Japanese kitchens, enhancing the flavor of soups, stews, and other dishes. For more details, visit their official website.

Marukome

Marukome is renowned as one of the best producers of dashi miso, having catapulted to the forefront of the industry with their innovative dashi miso product in 1982. This Japanese company, established in 1854, is known for its commitment to quality and safety, producing 108,000 tons of miso annually. Marukome's miso is made from non-genetically modified soybeans, rice, and sea salt, ensuring a rich and authentic flavor. Their products, such as the liquid-type Miso & Easy, have expanded the accessibility of miso globally. Marukome's mission is to create "safe and healthy" miso at an economical cost, making it a trusted brand across generations and countries. For more details on their offerings, explore their instant miso products.

Yamaki

Yamaki is renowned as one of the best producers of dashi powder, offering high-quality products that capture the authentic umami flavor of traditional Japanese cuisine. Their dashi powders are made from premium ingredients such as dried bonito flakes and kombu seaweed, ensuring a rich and subtle flavor. The Yamaki Low Sodium Udon Shiro Dashi Stock, for example, contains 30% less sodium than regular dashi stocks, making it a healthier option without compromising on taste. These products are manufactured in Japan and are widely available, making it easy to bring authentic Japanese flavor to any kitchen. With its convenient packaging and easy-to-use instructions, Yamaki's dashi powder is a favorite among both home cooks and professional chefs.

Ajinomoto

Ajinomoto is a leading producer of dashi powder, particularly through its product Hondashi, which is made from real bonito and is a key ingredient in many Japanese dishes. Hondashi holds a significant market share, with Ajinomoto maintaining a 56% market share in Japanese flavor seasonings as of the first quarter of FY2024. The company's dashi stock granules are highly versatile and enhance the umami flavor in various recipes. Ajinomoto's commitment to quality is reflected in its consistent market leadership, with Hondashi being a preferred choice for both home-use and industrial applications. The product's popularity is further underscored by its widespread use in Japanese cuisine, including in miso soup and other traditional dishes. For more detailed insights, view their FY2024 Q1 results.

S&B

S&B is a renowned brand in Japan, particularly celebrated for its versatile and highly regarded Japanese Seasoning and Soup Mix, often referred to as "Oden no Moto." Released in 1968, this product has become a staple for making various dishes, including Oden, Yosenabe, and Udon, with over 50 recipes available. Unlike dashi granules, S&B's mix is an all-in-one seasoning that simplifies the cooking process. The mix contains a rich blend of ingredients such as soy sauce, Kombu seaweed extract, and bonito extract powder. While Ajinomoto dominates the market share in some seasoning categories, S&B's Oden no Moto remains a favorite among Japanese consumers.

Hanamaruki

Hanamaruki, established in November 1918 in Ina City, Nagano, is a renowned Japanese brand known for its high-quality miso and dashi products. The company adheres to a philosophy of valuing natural ingredients and craftsmanship, as evident in their miso recipes, such as the Hanamaruki shiro miso, which contains 33.7% soybeans, rice, salt, and ethyl alcohol. Hanamaruki's products, including their instant miso soup powders, are appreciated for their light umami and sweetness. The brand's commitment to traditional methods and natural ingredients has made it a staple in Japanese cuisine for over a century. Hanamaruki's dashi and miso products are widely available and popular both in Japan and internationally. You can explore their products in detail on the Makro website.

Hikari Miso

Hikari Miso is renowned for its high-quality dashi-infused miso products, blending organic ingredients like soybeans and rice to create robust umami flavors. Their Organic Miso Dashi, for instance, combines bonito dashi for a deep and powerful flavor profile, with each serving containing 35 calories and 880mg of sodium, making it a popular choice for authentic Japanese miso soup recipes. The product is available in a 14.1 oz (400g) container, providing about 22 servings. Hikari Miso's Dashi Flavored Miso is another standout, seasoned with bonito and kelp dashi stock, offering a rich umami savoriness in a convenient 300g package. These products showcase the brand's commitment to traditional Japanese flavors with modern convenience.

Kikkoman

Kikkoman, a leading producer of soy sauce and related products, has also made a significant impact in the market for dashi powder, a crucial ingredient in Japanese cuisine. In fiscal 2000, Kikkoman maintained a high market share of 28% in the Japanese soy sauce market, which indirectly supports its position in the dashi powder market due to the close relationship between soy sauce and dashi in Japanese cooking. The company's global operations, including its presence in over 100 countries, ensure widespread availability of its products. Kikkoman's focus on high-value-added products and its response to rising demand in the industrial-use market further solidify its reputation as a reliable producer of dashi-related ingredients. The company's commitment to quality and innovation aligns with the traditional methods of making dashi, such as using kombu and katsuobushi, which are essential for the umami flavor. For more insights into Kikkoman's operations and commitment to sustainability, you can view their Corporate Report 2021.

Riken

Riken Vitamin is renowned as one of the best producers of dashi powder, leveraging its advanced extraction, refining, and concentration technologies to create high-quality products. Since 1938, Riken has been a leader in the Japanese market, holding significant market shares in various segments, including over 40% in vitamin E and the top market share for non-oil dressings and scallop extract. Their dashi products, such as the bonito-based and kombu-based dashi, are made without chemical additives or added salt, ensuring a pure and authentic flavor. Riken's commitment to using natural materials and innovative technologies has solidified its position in the market. The company's products are widely used in Japanese cuisine, including miso soup, clear soup, and other traditional dishes. Discover their bonito-based dashi with no chemical additives or extra salt added for an unmatched taste experience.