Small, flavourful hijiki side

Hijikini

Brand: 7-11

Price: 140 yen

Place of purchase: 7-11 Convenience store

Rating:

For the price, this small retort-pack of hijikini, stewed hijiki seaweed, is a cheap side dinner or a bento box side. I could probably make this in my kitchen, but it takes a while to simmer and balance the flavours correctly. The other issue is preparing it properly so that the textures are preserved. That takes some finesse. The 7-11 website suggests using their stewed hijiki for takikomi gohan recipes. In a pinch, this salad is good mixed in with hot rice. I divided it between lunch and dinner.

While inflation has slowed slightly in the first quarter of 2026, the price rises at 7-11 are noticeable. 7-11's retort-pack hijikini is a small portion, cheaper than the cup deli items. This version of hijikini is just as flavourful as the larger fresh version. And a little of it goes a long way. I've mentioned before that, if you're limiting your intake of iodine and potassium, you should eat seaweed in moderation. Still, this is a pretty healthy choice with a lot of nutrition. The package also keeps well in the fridge.