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Shiso leaf

Shiso leaf is the edible aromatic leaf of the shiso plant, used fresh as a garnish, wrap, seasoning, or pickled accompaniment.

Shiso leaf — illustrative ingredient image

About Shiso leaf

Shiso leaf is the edible leaf of the shiso plant, sold as a fresh culinary herb rather than as a whole herb bundle. Leaves may be green or red-purple and are used as garnishes, wraps, sushi or sashimi accompaniments, and flavouring for salads and cooked foods.

The leaves are broad, thin, and softly textured, with a pronounced minty, herbal aroma. Their flavour can include peppery, citrus-like, or anise-like notes depending on variety. Sliced leaves distribute their fragrance through rice, noodles, sauces, and pickles, while whole leaves retain their shape more clearly.

Fresh leaves are generally sold whole and used raw or added late so their fragrance and shape remain noticeable. They may also be salted or pickled for serving alongside meals; these processes soften or alter the leaf and change its appearance, texture, and flavour.

Ingredient type
whole food

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Where shiso leaf appears

1 linked foods

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Main dishes

Ingredient connections awaiting review · Coverage is still growing, including packaged snacks.

Name examples awaiting language review. Confirm the specific food or product.

Local names for shiso leaf

Names and romanised forms to recognise on menus and labels.

English

Shiso leaf

Available names only. Languages may be spoken in other countries; a name alone does not identify every ingredient in a dish.

Shiso leaf nutrition & diet

Shiso leaf nutritional value

Perilla, "Shiso", leaves, raw — MEXT 06095

Per 100 g of the edible portion in the explicitly named reference form.

Calories
32kcal
Protein
3.9g
Carbs
7.5g
Fat
0.1g

Per 100 g edible portion. Values use MEXT 2023 with March 2026 corrections; the English food name is matched by food code from the official English edition. Carbohydrate is total carbohydrate by difference. Values in parentheses in the source are estimates reported by MEXT. This reference does not cover other preparations or brands.

Portions & preparation

Use the exact shiso leaf variety and state, distinguishing fresh whole leaves from chopped, dried, salted, pickled, or oil-packed products. Count only the edible leaf portion when stems are removed. A garnish left uneaten should not be treated like a full consumed serving or like a preserved condiment.

Compare the right form: Match fresh edible shiso leaves by variety and preparation, distinguishing whole, chopped, dried, salted, pickled, and oil-packed forms.

Diet considerations

Shiso leaf is plant-derived. Its compatibility changes with preservation and serving format: pickling may add vinegar, salt, or sweetener, while wraps may contain meat, fish, egg, dairy, or cereal fillings. Plain fresh leaves and shiso-seasoned prepared foods should therefore be evaluated as separate ingredients.

AI-authored reading notes · Awaiting editorial review. Measured values, where available, have a separate source above.

Dietary compatibility

  • Vegan
    Typically compatible
  • Vegetarian
    Typically compatible
  • Pescatarian
    Typically compatible
  • Keto
    Depends on the version
  • Paleo
    Typically compatible
  • Low-carb
    Depends on the version
  • Halal
    Not established
  • Kosher
    Not established
What these diet assessments mean
Vegan · Typically compatible
The plain ingredient profile is plant, fungal or mineral based. Added ingredients in a prepared product need a separate check.
Vegetarian · Typically compatible
The plain ingredient profile is plant, fungal or mineral based. Added ingredients in a prepared product need a separate check.
Pescatarian · Typically compatible
The plain ingredient profile is plant, fungal or mineral based. Added ingredients in a prepared product need a separate check.
Keto · Depends on the version
Compatibility depends on the portion and preparation. A sourced carbohydrate amount for a defined serving is not available.
Paleo · Typically compatible
The plain form fits the conventional paleo food groups. Added ingredients and individual interpretations can differ.
Low-carb · Depends on the version
Compatibility depends on the portion and preparation. A sourced carbohydrate amount for a defined serving is not available.
Halal · Not established
Sourcing, processing and any applicable certification have not been verified. A food name alone does not establish halal status.
Kosher · Not established
Sourcing, processing and any applicable certification have not been verified. A food name alone does not establish kosher status.

For the plain ingredient · Awaiting review. Diet compatibility is not allergy suitability or halal/kosher certification. Keto and low-carb depend on the portion.

Reviewed ingredient entryIngredient reference · Preparations vary

AI-generated illustration for visual context. It does not identify a particular product or establish allergen content.

Sources & review

Nutrition reference: MEXT Standard Tables of Food Composition in Japan, 2023 supplement, corrected March 2026 ↗. Values are scaled from 100 g of the recorded edible form. Individual portions have no assumed fixed weight.

Expanded overview, name examples and nutrition notes are database drafts awaiting editorial review. Numeric nutrition values, where shown, have their own source and food-form reference.

The ingredient description and dish connections come from the draft catalogue and may change after review.

Last recorded verification: .