Japanese Traditional Health Food Ingredients: Konjac & Shirataki

Hikawa Shoten Co., Ltd.

Japanese Traditional Health Food Ingredients: Konjac & Shirataki
Japanese traditional health food ingredients, Konjac and Shirataki.

Japanese traditional health food ingredients, Konjac and Shirataki.

Delicious and healthy, low in calories, and not fattening, these are staple foods in Japan.

Established in 1959 by Yusuke Hikawa, Hikawa Shoten Co., Ltd. has been dedicated to producing high-quality Konjac in Tokyo. Our konjac is celebrated for its unique texture and exceptional flavor absorption due to using select ingredients and time-honored production techniques.

Committed to preserving traditional flavors while embracing innovation, we strive to offer konjac that not only tastes great but also meets the highest standards of safety and quality, ensuring our customers can enjoy our products confidently.

Incorporate konjac into your meals for a healthier lifestyle.

Incorporate konjac into your meals for a healthier lifestyle.

Konjac: A Health-Promoting Superfood

Konjac is an exceptional health food comprised mainly of glucomannan-based insoluble dietary fiber, which our digestive enzymes cannot break down. With about 97% water content, it boasts a calorie count that's a fraction of that found in staples like rice or pasta, positioning it as an excellent low-calorie option.

Its low glycemic index (GI) helps manage blood sugar levels, making it a strategic choice for those looking to prevent obesity and lifestyle diseases. Additionally, it's a rich source of calcium and dietary fiber—nutrients often deficient in contemporary diets.

As a traditional Japanese ingredient now gaining global recognition, konjac is becoming increasingly popular as a pasta alternative and a vegan-friendly option, driven by growing health and nutrition awareness. Our company proudly exports this nutritious food to markets in France, Australia, and beyond through our network of trading partners.
The konjac potato production area

The konjac potato production area

The Exceptional Taste of Hikawa’s Konjac and Shirataki

At Hikawa Shoten, our konjac and shirataki stand out for their quality, sourced directly from Gunma Prefecture, renowned for its premium konjac potatoes. We select only the finest grade of special powder to ensure our products have the perfect texture and excel in flavor absorption.

In an age dominated by mass production, we adhere to traditional crafting techniques that, although more demanding, yield konjac and shirataki with minimal bitterness and superior taste. Our commitment to these artisanal methods ensures that our products offer an unparalleled culinary experience.
A variety of dishes made with konjac and shirataki.

A variety of dishes made with konjac and shirataki.

Konjac: Versatile in Many Dishes

It is believed that konjac came to Japan from China along with Buddhism and eventually became a unique Japanese food. Around the 1600s, dishes such as simmered konjac and "dengaku" (skewered and grilled konjac) were created, and by around 1850, konjac had become increasingly popular as a key ingredient in dishes like oden and sukiyaki. Recently, in addition to traditional Japanese ways of eating it, Chinese-style methods such as frying or stir-frying, as well as Western-style preparations like cutting it thick for steaks or using it in salads, have become popular.