Real wasabi,
real attention,
real taste.

Welcome!

We are Dutch Wasabi; a Dutch grower and webshop with a great love for the Japanese cuisine. From our own greenhouses in the Westland, we grow real, fresh wasabi (first and only in the Netherlands!) and other special crops like fresh ginger and yuzu: unique flavors and products we are proud of.

For those who want to get started themselves, we also offer plants and trees with which you can experience how special it is to care for and watch these crops grow. In addition, you will find a carefully selected assortment of imported Japanese ingredients, delicacies and tools that enrich your kitchen, surprise and inspire you.

We supply to leading chefs and restaurants throughout Europe, as well as passionate home cooks who want to discover, experiment and take their dishes to the next level know where to find us. Our mission: the flavor and craft of Japan closer. Everything we do revolves around attention, quality, knowledge, but most importantly fun. We do this with respect for tradition and room for innovation. Be welcome and be inspired!

Our story - the beginning of real wasabi

Dutch Wasabi was founded by Sander van Kampen, who traded his job in IT for an ambitious experiment: the local growing of real wasabi.

The wasabi you get with sushi in the West is usually an imitation wasabi made from horseradish, dye and starch. When Sander discovered that, he became fascinated with the real version: a beautiful plant that is eventually grated into a paste. He decided to try what many thought was impossible: growing wasabi in the Netherlands.

After years of research and perseverance, it worked. As first and only in the Netherlands (and one of the few in Europe) we now grow top-quality wasabi. The plant grows for 18 to 24 months in our greenhouses, with clean, mineral-rich water and biological control; a process as time-consuming as it is extraordinary.

The result: fresh, real wasabi that tastes the way it was meant to: fresh, vibrant and pure. The wasabi has a beautiful kick, but it does not linger in the nose as sharply as with imitation wasabi. Instead, you taste a floral depth: the real “wasabi flavor.”. 

(Want to learn more about wasabi and its cultivation? Read more →)

Collaborations & growth

Realizing our mission, we don't do it alone. Dutch Wasabi was founded by Sander van Kampen, Duijvestijn Tomatoes and Elstgeest Potplants. Working with partners is an essential part of Dutch Wasabi.

From the beginning, we were supported by companies that believed in us. That's how Rungis the first to distribute our wasabi to chefs in the Netherlands, offered Rabobank and the Hail Union financial support and helps Biobest us to grow sustainably and cope with the many pests.

Duijvestijn Tomatoes, Elstgeest Potplants, Wageningen University & Research (WUR) and some other parties were initially responsible for their own research on wasabi at the WUR in Bleiswijk, giving us more insight into this particular crop. These are companies known for their innovative entrepreneurship and years of experience in horticulture.

Dutch Wasabi is a unique collaboration between engineering, knowledge and passion for special crops.

We continue to learn, innovate and grow; respecting nature, craft and culture. We are grateful for these collaborations and look forward to the many new partnerships to come.

Our fresh specialties

Our wasabi is the heart of the company. We utilize, as in Japan, almost the entire plant: From rhizome to leaf, stem and flower. Fresh wasabi brings dishes to life; not only because of its well-known kick, but precisely because of its unique, fresh wasabi flavor that is surprisingly versatile is in the kitchen.

In addition, we are proud of our fresh, undried (wet) ginger, also from our own cultivation. This ginger is a piece juicier, spicier and aromatischer than the regular dried variety from the supermarket. It contains less stringy fiber and more depth; a pure, aromatic flavor that inspires new culinary possibilities.

Another special product from our greenhouses is the fresh yuzu: a citrus fruit with a delicate balance between sweet-sour and slightly bitter. A type mix of mandarin, lemon and grapefruit, with a unique floral depth that excites the senses.

The fruit originated in China but was refined in Japan to become an indispensable ingredient in the kitchen. The aroma is special, layered and intense; the aroma and flavor of yuzu instantly bring a touch of Japanese cuisine to every dish - from sauces to desserts and cocktails.

Premium & gourmet range

In addition to our fresh crop, we offer a premium assortment of carefully selected ingredients, delicacies and utensils imported from Japan; products you won't find just anywhere else. From special sakes and authentic umeboshi to sakura vinegars and konro grills, we choose products that are made with attention, knowledge and love be made.

We have a deep appreciation for craft and tradition, for the makers who have passed on their knowledge for generations and for the stories hidden in their products -. stories which we are happy to share on our webshop. At the same time, we remain curious about modern interpretations and innovative flavors that result.

Our products are from chef quality: loved by chefs who want to experiment, refine and offer their guests something unique. They open up new possibilities in the kitchen; not only to surprise, but mostly to enjoy pure taste.

Our products reflect the fun and the curiosity that make cooking so beautiful.

Also, the passionate home cook find that same quality and inspiration with us: with our ingredients, you'll lift every dish to the next level.

Our focus is on Japan, but we also appreciate what is being made closer to home. More and more wonderful products are emerging in the Netherlands that fit within the Japanese and broader Asian cuisine.

Consider locally brewed soy sauce or garum, made with the same attention and passion. We like to work with local producers who share our values and show how vivid Japanese cuisine is already here.

Our own cultivation fits in seamlessly with this: by growing products such as wasabi, ginger and yuzu locally, we create special flavors more accessible and sustainable, without compromising on quality.

Eating as a moment of attention and inspiration

In Japan, eating is more than nutrition or survival; it is a way to care, attention and connection show. As in many other Asian cultures, such as Chinese and Korean, food is deeply intertwined with well-being.

In those languages, someone is traditionally greeted with a question like “Have you eaten (rice) yet?”. Often not a literal demand for food, but an expression of care and closeness.

In Japan, that same sentiment is subtly expressed. A traditional greeting like ご飯食べた？ (Gohan tabeta? - “Have you eaten yet?”) expressed warmth and commitment.

Moreover, Japanese say before meals いただきます (Itadakimasu - “I humbly receive”). A thank you to everyone and everything who contributed to the meal, the cook, the farmer, the fisherman, nature, and so on.

That attitude of gratitude, peace and balance inspires us every day. With our products we want to convey that same feeling: cooking and eating as a moment of connection; with yourself, with others and with what you eat.

What we love about Japan is the way in which tradition and modernity go hand in hand. Age-old crafts coexist with futuristic innovation, without being mutually exclusive. We seek that same balance in our assortment: respect for the old, with an open mind to the new.

Dutch Wasabi is more than a place to buy ingredients; it is a community from chefs, home cooks, growers and enthusiasts.

Through us inspiration platform, in our newsletters and on our social media we share things like recipes, cooking techniques, stories behind our products, information about ingredients and you will discover the richness of Japanese (food) culture and seasonal traditions

Whether you are a chef or a home cook, we hope to inspire you to discover new flavors, experiment in the kitchen and enjoy each dish with attention.

Itadakimasu!

➜ In the coming years, we will continue to carefully expand our assortment and hope to continue to surprise and inspire you. We would love to hear your suggestions or wishes! Soon we will expand our offerings to include Korean products; an ode to South Korea's dynamic, creative and vibrant food culture.

Want to know more?

On the page ‘All about real wasabi’ you will discover much more about this special product (such as culinary applications) and why growing it in the Netherlands is such a challenge.

On the page ‘In the media’ you'll find an overview of where Dutch Wasabi has appeared in the media so far, including behind-the-scenes videos.

On the page ‘Interview with founder Sander van Kampen’ read more about the story behind Dutch Wasabi and the extraordinary journey Sander took.

On our Inspiration Platform you will find things like recipes, cooking techniques, stories behind our products, information about ingredients and discover the richness of Japanese (food) culture and seasonal traditions.

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook and sign up for our newsletter (bottom left of the page). This way you can always stay up to date with the latest news such as promotions and offers, new products, fresh seasonal crops, the (Japanese) markets where we can be found and all kinds of interesting facts.

Want to shop as a food service, wholesale or other business? Take a look at our business page.

Still have a specific question? Chances are you can find the answer at our FAQ (frequently asked questions) page. If it's not listed here either, you can always contact with us.