The Shark Skin Oroshiki Set - Medium is one of the best oroshiki sets available in traditional shark skin format. The medium size is perfect for any chef or foodie as it's not too big for limited use, but large enough to handle any size wasabi stem. The Orchid Fiber Wasabi Brush is handmade from lotus plant fibers and is the perfect tool for scraping every last remnant of wasabi from your oroshigane. I can personally tell you that the brush truly does make a difference.
An oroshiki and a tawashi (brush) are must have tools when grating wasabi. The goal with grating wasabi is to create as much cellular destruction as possible thereby potentiating the pungency, sweetness and characteristic earthy wasabi flavor. Traditional shark skin oroshiki are an excellent, natural surface with the perfect grating texture. The surface feels like sand paper, will last you 100's of grinds, and can be used with other vegetables such as carrots, daikon, ginger, nagaimo, and garlic.
Traditional shark skin graters will grind a paste with a 'chunkier' texture. I've found this suspends the degradation of the wasabi pungency and flavors creating a longer lasting cream. There are newer, more complex oroshigane that will maximize the potential flavors in wasabi, but this is an excellent tool rooted in history and trusted by Japanese sushi, soba, and yaki chefs for generations.
Chojiro graters is one of the most famous brands in Japan with an extensive history of hand making traditional oroshigane. Having personally visited this facility, every corner, every surface is done by hand with careful periodic inspections. The shark skin oroshiki is actually a type of manta ray fish purchased in the markets of South East Asia as a by-product. The frictional bristles and structure of these bottom dwelling fish, combined with expert craftsmanship create the perfect tool for grating wasabi.
*HAND WASH BOTH PIECES - DO NOT PUT IN DISHWASHER
